Where in the world...

...did these curls come from?! I have stick straight hair and Jason's hair has got a little wave to it when it's grown out but Sweet Caroline's curls are nothing short of amazing. I love them!

-- Posted from my iPhone

The house that Jack built

Well, I built it actually. Jack and Caroline helped me decorate it. This morning was icing-slathered and candy-filled all finished off with a light covering of powdered sugar snow. We had so much fun and the kids ate as much candy as they put on the house. It was all I could do to keep Caroline's paws off the gumdrops and Jack out of the icing. Crazy. Fun. A must-do at Christmastime!
*You'll notice there aren't any "in progress" pictures. I was completely covered from finger to wrist in icing and wasn't about to pick up my camera in such a state!

Capturing Christmastime

So much is going on around our house this time of year. I barely have time to think about posting so I'm just going with one BIG picture post for now. Here goes!

The scene... the stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

O Christmas Tree!

Caroline and the tree

Jack looking at his favorite ornament... a tray with Christmas cookies and hot chocolate, complete with marshmallows. He loves it!Sweet smiles in front of the tree!

It was cold out. And hats are hilarious, in case you didn't know!

Apparently I couldn't be happier that none of us are looking in the same direction!

Jack and Yaya

Me and Jason, about to head out to a holiday shindig and then Christmas shopping for the kiddos. THAT was an adventure. We ended up at a very scary Toys R Us that night! I sure hope the kids appreciate their new kitchen!

We don't need no stinkin' mistletoe! Thanks Mom for taking this pic! *akward*
Caroline playing with the ornaments. Rules don't apply when we're going for cuteness.

Jack and the tree! He's getting so big!

"Oooooo! Lookadat!"

Jack and his classmates in his first school Christmas program. Too cute! He spent the first song not singing because he was looking for me. The second song he sang well because he found me. The third song... he picked his nose half the time. Ew... and so embarrassing. Ah well...

Lainey, Caroline, and Kate... What's all the fuss about Miss Kate?

Jack did NOT want to pose for pictures. Never does.An outtake from our Christmas card shoot. Playing with ornaments again! Thankfully they're shatterproof. They sure can bounce!

Just before we piled them in the stroller to go for our annual Light Walk. So fun!

Caroline all ready for our walk!

"All by self!"

Caroline's newest phrase is "all by self!" and she says it with great fervor quite often. Here she is climbing in and out of her crib, "all by self!"

Climbing in...

And out!

-- Posted from my iPhone

Ten Years Ago...

I was awakened in the early morning hours by a frantic phone call from my parents. "Where are you?! Are you alright?! Have you seen the news?" Confused and bleary-eyed I stumbled to my TV and turned it on. My roommates and I gathered and watched in sorrow and disbelief as we learned of the tragedy of Bonfire '99. The stack had fallen and 12 lives were lost. That day is still etched in my memory and as I sit here typing this my emotions of that time are flooding back and tears are streaming down my face. My second home, the school I love, was so deeply wounded by the events that happened in the early morning hours of November 18, 1999. Wounded, scarred, and healed by togetherness. You see, we, as Aggies, are a family. No matter what we look out for each other. That day, we came together again. We cried together, prayed together, worked together, and will always remember together, our brothers and sisters that died that day. I will never forget how I felt when I learned of the collapse. I will never forget how Reed Arena looked with thousands of candles glowing within. I will never forget how much I cried on the night Bonfire '99 would've burned. I will never forget how bittersweet the victory over the Longhorns was just days later. I will never forget how moved I was when I visited the Bonfire Memorial. I will never forget the day I discovered what it truly, truly means to be an Aggie. God bless those lives affected by the collapse of Bonfire '99. I will never forget. Ever.

I hate to brag...

Ok, not really but still. I have to pat myself on the back a little bit. I've been on and off Weight Watchers since Caroline was born. Mostly off but now I'm back ON! After our vacation in Mexico and all the gluttony that comes with an all-inclusive resort I was mortified to see our pictures! I decided then that it was time to get into gear and lose the weight. Seriously. Well I'm not at goal yet but I'm well on my way. Here's a "before" and a "not quite after"...

Picture? Perfect!

We had a great photo shoot a couple of weeks ago with my good friend Katie. She does AMAZING work and we had so much fun! Here are the sneak peeks on her blog... Honey Grove Photography.

Career Climber

She got up there all by herself. We're in trouble.


-- Posted from my iPhone

Boo at the Zoo!

Our kids were graced with a late bedtime on Thursday so we could enjoy the animals (and candy) at Boo at the Zoo in Fort Worth. We packed sandwiches and snacks and the kids really enjoyed seeing all the animals at a time of day they aren't used to being at the zoo. There were trick or treat stations and lights and decorations everywhere. So fun! I'm sure we'll make this a yearly tradition. It was a hit!

Loaded up and ready to go! The train engineer, butterfly (sans wings - they wouldn't fit in the stroller) and me, as myself ;)

Jack and the elephantsAnd me, again, with the kids on the carouselSleepyjoyShe was having fun... promise!A tired little engineer at the end of the night

Phone photos

I've got lots if fun pics on my phone that are worth posting here. They're all from the past few months.

Jack, on the TRE

Froyo at Pure Bliss... blissful!

She really has a sense of style, no? Nightgown, tutu, skirt. Perfect

Flowery dress and a witch's hat. Another knockout outfit!

Sicky Caroline in the ER with croup. Not a fun way to spend a Saturday night.

And a couple of days later feeling much better. She LOVES coloring outside!

Jackie in the outdoors.

Sure Mom. Whatever.

And now Jack's sick in this one. Poor guy, look at his eyes!

Swingin'! I love this park!

Had to wear the tutu to Chik-fil-a~!

Passed out after the car ride home!

Rainy days call for carousel rides at the mall. They had a blast!

This is what you call "ice cream drunk". She was a happy girl. We can't drive past Braum's without her yelling "ICE CREAM" now. Silly girl!

They love the swings. They could be out there all day long.

So happy!

"Let's get this one, Mom!" He really meant it too.

-- Posted from my iPhone