Make up your mind, PLEASE!

You know what they say about Texas weather?  If you don't like it, wait 15 minutes - it will change.  Ok, so 15 minutes is an exaggeration, but 1 day most definitely is NOT.  Here's a case in point.  Last week, the weather was so beautiful, that my bulbs began to sprout.  In fact, the temperature reached 80 degrees.  That's sunbathing weather.  Yesterday here's what I saw from my bedroom window:

Can you see that little daffodil poking out through the ICE???  

Now, it was actually pretty nice yesterday having the kids home from school.  We enjoyed staying inside ALL DAY,  cuddling up in front of the fire and making homemade soup. The kids played outside a bit and had a great time.  No complaints there.  And it was even pretty cool seeing this view from my kitchen windows:

That's not fancy glass - it's a lovely coat of ICE!

The kids went back to school today and the sun is shining.  It's still cold.  And I can handle that.  I don't prefer it, but I can live with it.  What is driving me nuts is this back and forth, on and off again, 60 degree change in the weather!!  I feel like I'm in Junior High when David Pierce liked me one day and the next he didn't.  But then again a day or two later he liked me! Don't mess with my head!  Just make up your mind.

Oh, and by the way, I prefer 80 degrees.  Thank you.

Coming Soon

I went to a rehearsal today for the Prosper High School Production of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown.  I took some photos for the local newspaper.  I may be just a tad bit biased, but this show is super cute.  I literally laughed out loud several times during my brief stay.  The kids are really great.  They have a ways to go with sets, props, costumes etc., but those things always come together at the last minute.  If you live in the Dallas Metroplex and you aren't busy February 5, 6, or 7th, I highly recommend you hit Prosper High for some great family entertainment.  Of course, I'll surely blog about it after it's over, so those of  you who hail from lands afar, never fear!  In the meantime, here are a few photos.

Lucy as Sally Brown - she NEVER makes that face at home!

Charlie Brown getting great advice from Lucy.

The whole cast!

You give birth to them - and then they leave.

That's what it feels like anyway.  You know what they say about time flying.... 

Drew is getting married - yep, leaving the nest.  He's engaged to cute, tiny, Rachel Shirey, a girl from right here in North Texas.  The big day will be March 28, 2009 in the Dallas Texas Temple.  We are excited for them!  

They asked me to take some photos of them, and though I'm not really a photographer, though I aspire to be and am working on it (thanks for the ideas Angela), we all headed to Arbor Hills Nature Preserve in Plano for a photo shoot.  In the spring and summer it's a really pretty place. Not so much in January.  We made the best of it and had a great time!  

They look pretty cute together, don't they?

Wonder why they are smiling so much?

Of course Drew is still Drew.  Here is his Pee Wee Herman face! 

We had some pretty good laughs, too!

What do you think?  Is he marriage material?  Think long and hard, Rachel.

He's still my little boy...

In the end, we got some great shots.

And then headed home!

I've got to get this off my list....

I'm feeling too much anxiety over not posting anything about our wonderful Christmas Eve and Christmas Day festivities.  The perfectionist Karen wants to do a really cool montage of photos to add to the post.... time intensive.  The Karen dying to come out wants to just move on with the events of the day.  Soooo, the Karen's have come to a bit of a compromise and "we" will just post, in the ordinary fashion, a few of "our" favorite photos of Christmas past.

Enjoy.

We (especially Molly) love to have our good friend, Chris spend Christmas Eve with us.  

Ashley and Sam

Fun with Fondue!!  We've had Fondue on Christmas Eve for as long as I can remember.  We added chocolate fondue for dessert several years ago.

We wear out the old people!

Santa makes an early delivery on Christmas Eve!

This is what he brings!

(The PJs, not the gangsta kids)

The wait on Christmas morning.  Dad, are you ready??

Jon's favorite gift, the Kindle.  Karen is so smart.

Santa heard the plea of both Molly and Will!  

Lucy is the black, white and zebra print queen this year!

Christmas dinner was casual, yet delicious this year.  Notice various members of the family still in their PJs!!

Karen's favorite gift was having Parker home for Christmas!

And here are a few shots of some of our favorite post-Christmas activities!

Our traditional bowling game was super fun at the black light bowling alley!

Molly was awesome with the handy-dandy ramp!  No bumpers, though!

Parker had fun, too!

Lucy wins the prize for the coolest shoes.  Orange flames with green glow laces!

Seeing the Christmas lights is another fun tradition.  This year we went to Highland Park and to Frisco Square where the lights are synchronized to music.  And our street was pretty, too!

We had lots of fun and made great memories together shopping, wrapping, party throwing and party going, singing, playing, bathing babies, catching up with friends through visits and cards and most of all, sharing in the joy of celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  

Family Portrait Session

A few days before Christmas, while everyone was home, we ventured outside for a family portrait.  Since Texas isn't the most beautiful spot on the planet in December, we had a difficult time deciding on a location.  We ended up in Downtown McKinney, which has a darling little square full of boutiques and antique stores.  I've only seen a few of the shots so far, but will go next week for a look at all of them.  The photographer (Marquette) who took our great shots last year couldn't take us during the time we were all together, so she referred us to her friend Angela Majerus! Angela was great to squeeze us in at Christmas time and spend 2 hours with us.  We had so much fun laughing and playing around.  She posted a preview on her blog. (click on the word blog to see it) There are some cute shots.  I especially LOVE the ones of my wonderful parents. They look amazing and are in such great health.  I'm so glad they came along! Take a look, if you'd like.  I can't wait to see them all.