Christmas Party

Last Friday, Tyler's class celebrated with a fun Christmas Party to celebrate the beginning of Christmas Break. Ty's class had a book exchange, pizza, and decorated Gingerbread cookies. Georgia Kate loved being apart of the whole party. The kids, especially the girls in Ty's class love GK.
Simply adore Ty's teacher and all of his classmates. He really has a good bunch of friends.
Well, It looks like December will still go down as the worst month for blogging for me. It is hard to blog when we are all home, and this weekend we tackled Christmas clean up. It is all put away and our house is back in order. Thank goodness, it feels good to have that done. I also love that we still have another full week of Christmas Break!!

Merry Tacky Christmas

Every December instead of a Junior League Board Meeting we do something to celebrate the Season. This year I thought it would be fun to host a tacky/white trash Christmas party. I know I say this a lot, but I have the most amazing board members and we all love to have fun. Therefore, I opened up our house for a night of food, wine, and of course a white trash/white elephant gift exchange. The best part is there was actually stealing going on... we laughed so hard. The perfect night to get our holidays started out right. Tomorrow night we will be celebrating the Birthday of one of my board members, girls night out. Can't wait.
I have personally enjoyed this week "off", because next week it will be back to work and planning. Only a few months left.... wow!
 

Our Visitors

Well, our visitors returned to the North Pole on Christmas Eve, until next year. I will kind of miss them and seeing all the fun they had at our house.They defiantly found lots of creative things to keep them busy while they were at our house. Ty's Lego men tried to keep them tied up, but it did not last. We can't wait to see what they come up with next year. I will say it was fun having a little girl this year. Fun Christmas memories. Oh, how I love this month.

Merry Christmas

We hope that you and your family had a wonderful Christmas. We are truly thankful for each of you and thank you for following our journey, even though this has been the worst blogging month for me. Hopefully, this week and next will allow me time to catch home. Ryan is off, and we are home the rest of the Christmas break. So thankful for this special family time. Although, Ryan better be in our office working on his dissertation..... time is almost up, well according to me time is almost up. ;)

I will share more on our fun Christmas time with our families. We left last Friday to head to Keller, to spend a few days with Ryan's family and headed home on Christmas Eve to attend a Christmas Eve service at my Amma's church. It made her night to see us there. On Christmas Ghee and Poppy came over for Christmas Morning, and then that afternoon we headed to my parents for Christmas with Amma and part of Dad's family. So many wonderful memories were created and shared.

This picture was one of my favorites that were taken over Thanksgiving. I have more to share when I get our CD back. I loved including our sweet, Landry this year.

Our Little Mess

It is amazing how every child is unique and special in their own way. I have learned that with Georgia Kate, she is very opposite from Tyler. Georgia Kate gets in to everything and anything. On Wednesday she got in to our craft cabinet (never thought I would have to child lock that). I was on the phone for maybe 5 minutes and after I hung up, I walked in to the living room to find a beautifully colored Georgia Kate. I am not really sure if it was all her, because Ty was in the same room and did not mention anything about her coloring herself... hmm. Kind of suspicious if you ask me. :)  Thank goodness it was not a permanent marker, and if your child every colors their whole hand and half their face I found that toothpaste will wipe it all away very fast.
Last Friday I was getting Tyler and Georgia Kate packed for our weekend trip, and I hear Ty shouting " Mom Georgia Kate is eating chips". what he should have said is GK got in the pantry and spilled a whole bad of chips and was sitting on the floor having a snack. Georgia Kate is a mess and I have to watch her like a hawk, but she is our cute little mess and I am so thankful for her.

Christmas Cocktail

The above is me with with all Past JLBC Presidents. What an honor to stand beside these women. What a Legacy they have all left on the league.

Below is me with almost all my Board Members. I will say it again, I love my Board. Amazing women to work with. We know how to work and have fun at the same time.

The Board with our Sustainer Host of the evening, Suzy Adams. Thank you so much for opening up your house to us, again.

I simply adore Jen! She is one of my Sustainer Advisers. I am so thankful for her.

Last Thursday was the leagues annual Christmas Cocktail. We try to take it easy in December and focus on celebrating the Holiday Season. Therefore, instead of a monthly General Membership Meeting we do a Christmas Cocktail. It is held in a home of one of our Sustaining Members and we invite all Active and Sustaining members for a fun night of celebrating and spreading Christmas cheer. It is always a fun night of talking and laughing. I enjoyed not having to create a agenda this month for a meeting. Merry Christmas, to me. :) It is also fun seeing faces that you don't see that often. It is hard to believe that the first half of my term is almost over. It really has flown by. I guess that is what happens when you are busy, busy. The Board had our Christmas party last week, as well. I will share pictures soon, because it was a super fun night. 

I am thankful the weekend is here. This week was a little rough with Ty's ear infection (the meds have done there job and he is back to himself) and Georgia Kate has a nasty cold with some really gunky eyes. I got her on some eye drops today, but she SCREAMS, so I am not sure if they make it in her eye. I love this Season, but don't like all the germs that come with it. I am ready for us all to be on the mend.   

Wedding Memories

At the Rehearsal Dinner. So hard to get a good picture. I adore these matching cuties.

Over the weekend we celebrated the marriage of my Cousin, Lacie and her new Husband Kyle. Lacie and Kyle dated for several years so we are beyond thrilled for them. It was a such a beautiful and fun wedding and we loved being apart of it. Of course, it was a busy weekend with lots going on. Saturday and Sunday was also the Crossfit DSP event, Wadapalooza. Ryan, and of course Landry's Legacy were a big part of that event and they were able to raise an amazing amount of money in memory and honor of our littlest. I will share more wants we get all the details worked out. So excited. Ryan even spoke on Saturday, and it broke my heart to miss it, but thankfully someone recorded it for me. I love you, Ryan for staying and honoring our littlest. Meanwhile, the kids and I headed to Richardson on Friday with my Parents. I think TY was more excited about the Hotel, but he had a blast at the Rehearsal Dinner and Wedding. Both kids did really well at the Rehearsal on Friday, considering it started at 8 pm. That is usually past or right at bedtime..... so proud of them and the sweet waitress who kelp giving GK suckers, that girl loves a sucker. Saturday we had some free time before the wedding, and Ryan even made it for the wedding and some of the Reception. It was a fast trip for Ryan, but he wanted to be there for Lacie and Kyle. This wedding was actually the first for Tyler and Georgia Kate. They both loved the music and the dance floor. The best part was the photo booth. So much fun. I think Ty snuck in there 6 times with a different costume/prop. :) We of course did not last the whole reception, but we loved every minute of it. We headed home early on Sunday so we could join Daddy at Wadapalooza. Such a fun filled weekend.   

A New Sport

Coach Steele and his little side kick.

Basketball Ball drills

Georgia Kate ran all over the court. I was constantly running after her. She just wants to be with Big Brother. 

Well, we have tried Soccer and Tennis (tennis lessons are still going on) so we thought we would give Basketball a shot. Ty is playing through Westphalia, with Ryan's 5 and 6 year old boys. Ryan is the Coach, of course. The nice thing is all the games are in Temple through a youth center.
The first practice was last Thursday, but I basically had to drop Ty and GK off and head to a Christmas party the league was hosting. So, on Monday we headed to our 2nd practice. I am still in shock that Ty was playing through a double ear infection. Games are just during the month of January, so that is not too bad. Ty seems to enjoy it, so far. Anything with a ball, is right up his alley.

Christmas Program

Ty's school put on their Christmas programs last night and it was a very last minute decision if Ty would be able to go. Late Sunday evening Ty woke up complaining about his ear hurting, and felt a little warm, but no fever. We gave him some medicine and he went back to sleep. We felt he should stay home on Monday, so he did, but seemed great all day and did not really say too much about his ear. He woke up again really early on Tuesday crying about his ear, but still no fever. Gave Ty more medicine and called to get him in to the Doctor. I love our doctor, GK had a 10:45 apt for her 12 month shots... a little late. I was able to get them in together. Ty did his check up first, and sure enough double ear infection. She said he must have a really high pain tolerance, because it was the worst she had seen in a while. OUCH!! The doctor did say that fevers are really not apart of ear infections the older you get, good to know. Ty has not had a ear ache since he was 2. I asked about his performance and she said that since he was not contagious he could go if he felt like it. Well, Ty wanted to go perform and he did great. Ty's class were angles and his costume was very last minute and a little (a lot) rushed getting it together, but non the less he looked great.

It was such a fun evening. We had Ghee and Poppy, and Ty was so excited that Amma came to watch him perform. She loved every minute of it. We also had a surprise from Daddy. Ryan's school had their Christmas program the same night, but he found someone to cover for him. Plus, he watched his students perform twice yesterday afternoon. Such a wonderful surprise! Thank you, Ryan. There was also a Junior League New Member event, that I had to miss. First event to miss all year, I felt horrible. December is a hard month. After the performance we headed out to Dinner to celebrate our star, Angel.     

Christmas Visitor

 Our Sweet Elf's, Francesco and Cici.

 Enjoying a snack of Milk and Cookies

 Playing a little Wii

 Tyler had a bad day last Monday, so this was just a sweet reminder. I had to stop Ryan and Tyler several times from eating the letters...

 It is hard work flying back and fourth to the North Pole. Trying to stay in shape while lifting weights and doing some planks. Looks like my Body Pump class.

 Calling room service during a Hotel visit over the weekend.

 Flying a kite in the house is never a good idea...

Francesco and Cici came down with a little cold while flying back from the North Pole, so Medicine and Hot Chocolate with marsh mellows helps everything.

We have had two visitors in our house this month. Our Elf, Francesco returned and he brought with him his little Elf Sister, Cici. Tyler wrote a letter to Francesco this year (well I wrote what he told me to write and he signed his name) asking if he could bring a elf for Georgia Kate, and Ty named her Cici. Our Elf's have had some fun this year, I think they must spend a lot of time on Pinterest as well. :)

Once again, behind. I think things should slow down soon.... I hope. I have so many pictures and memories to share.

November S.M.I.L.E.

Well, I guess I could blame my lack of blogging on the craziness of the Holidays. We have just been busy but in a good and fun way. I already hosted one Christmas party at our house, last night. We will be hosting another one next weekend. I do love our house during Christmas. I also love any excuse to be able to host a party! :) Last Tuesday we had our JLBC Project S.M.I.L.E. event at the Children's hospital. We had a Harvest Hoedown, and what a great turn out of patients and their families. We played so many games, fall crafts, and making Christmas ornaments for our tree in the lobby. This was the first time that we were able to have kids place their ornament on our tree, what a goose bump moment. We are actually wrapping up our JLBC year. We only have 2 more events this month and then we will have some much needed R and R until mid January. Actually a past President from several years ago, told me at the gym on Monday that I am on the downward slope of my presidency... wow. What a year.  

You better not Pout

Someone does not seem too excited about the upcoming Season. Our neighbor brought these over on Sunday for the kids, super cute.

Landry's Legacy

Last year, Ryan started working out at a local Crossfit gym (named Crossfit DSP). Crossfit DSP is having its second annual Wod-a-palooza on the weekend of December 8-9. As a way of giving back, they have chosen to donate money to Landry’s Legacy. If you want to read about the event, the website is www.wodapalooza.com.

I am still humbled to this day of the impact Landry's life has made on others. I was also blown away and brought to tears when I saw my sons name on a marquee. I still beam with bride when I see this and I also find myself making several trips past this a day. :) Thank goodness it is close to our house.

One of the Admins of the website had this to say about Landry on one of his posts: We think you will agree that Landry was a crossfitter and fighter at heart.

Thakful Page

Tyler's class has a "class" book. About once a month we get a different themed book to look as a family and discuss and write what we like. The title for this month is "what we are thankful for".  I just had to post Tyler's page. I am thankful for my baby sister. I adore our Big Brother. I think Georgia Kate looks pretty cute. :) Ty did tell me that above her was a picture of the sun. His page just made me smile, because I for sure thought it would say "my kitty". Our new kitty, Chief is still around. Tyler could carry her all day long if she or I would let him. ;)

A Week Of Thanksgiving

 My Aunt is always the best hostess and always has cute wine charms. What a wonderful Thanksgiving.

 Happiness. Me with my three beautiful and amazing Cousins, we missed you Lauren

 GK had enough, sweet Amma just smiling.

 Precious Moments. Tyler and Georgia Kate loved my cousins little girl, Abbie,

What a Thanksgiving week. I am kind of sad to see it go but I just keep thinking Christmas break is close behind. It is always nice to have a week where routine goes out the door, in some ways. I really tried hard to take a break from everything and just focus on my family and creating special memories.
Our week was filled with lots of family and I even had a really fun girls night last night. Tyler got to spend a couple of days in Fort Worth with Ryan's family and he had a great time playing with a lot of his cousins. It was very strange to just have Georgia Kate, but it was also fun to focus on her. Ryan still had to work Monday and Tuesday and Basketball games on Tuesday so we had a lot of girl time. However, she missed Tyler like crazy. She was so HAPPY to have him home, again.... as were we all.
On Thanksgiving day we headed to Austin to my Aunt and Uncles house and got to spend the day eating, laughing, and of course watching football. I will say they have the best view to watch a game, so I did not mind at all. I loved being around my cousins and Tyler and Georgia Kate loved playing with Abbie. The best part of the day was spending it with my Gramma. It has been many years since we have been able to celebrate with her, so Thanksgiving was extra special and it really has been so wonderful to have her close. Such a special Thanksgiving, it really was such a good day.
Friday it was time to start decorating our house, it is finally begining to look a lot like Christmas. Saturday we had family pictures taken by a amazing friend and photographer. It was a full hour of trying to make Georgia Kate sit, look at the camera, and smile... we tried everything. :) Ty of course was loving all the flashes and attention. I hope we got that our Christmas care worthy. I do love Christmas cards and can't wait to start getting them in the mail. Today was a down day as we gear up for School and routine. We had a great week, and this week and next week are busy... so I think a week off was good and might help us get through the following weeks, I hope. 

Happy Thanksgiving