New Year's Eve

Still iced in, we partied the night away at Grama Sue's house, while ringing in the New Year.

There were some spirited Wii challenges, Po learning he is quite skilled at the boxing. 

We played games and wrestled.

We opened up the poppers we found in the back shed and got crowns and other goodies.

The boys loved walking around in Uncle Mark's boots!

We played "The Dollar Game" while until the ball dropped.  {LCR}

There were all ranges of emotions from the kids, which made the adults crack up.

It was 2015, and even after staying up so late, the boys wanted to watch a movie.  When I said no, left the room to get a blanket, and came back a few minutes later, this is what I found:

2015: still iced in.  It took us a few more days to get home, but we made it!  The boys had a great time with family and friends.  Here's one more pic from Midland: Ryan making his name out of carrots.

So Long, 2014!

2014 has been a good year.  There have been triumphs, changes, new adventures and routines.  All in all, we are grateful for a year not so burdened or heavy-laden.  I, for one, enjoyed a little rest.  No, we are on to 2015 and are excited to see what the new year brings! 

Organizing

Storms blew into Midland while we were there, causing us to change our plans and stay a little longer.  The whole town was iced in, cold, wet, and basically shut down.  Our cars were iced shut, so we stayed put at Grama Sue's house for a few days!

With no where to go, we kept busy doing things around the house: putting Christmas decorations away, organizing the Christmas closet, clearing out/organizing the back shed, fixing up the garage, and setting up the old tool shed/patio closet.  It was lots of work, but well worth it, being able to cross so many things off the to-do list in just a few days.

At Grandma Anne's

While in Midland, we really wanted to get a chance to visit Grandma Anne.  We weren't sure it was going to happen, due to sickness and weather, but we were able to squeeze in a visit one early evening.  How fun to catch up! 

Christmas at Grama Sue's

The boys had another Christmas once we got to Midland!  They loved the presents, especially all the new games: "the dollar game," Hot Pepper, and the monkey that shakes his booty!

I love how much my boys are loved by so many! 

In Austin

The boys and I took a road trip to Midland after Christmas.  Since Stephen had to work most of the week, and we had a LONG time without school and schedules, I wanted a change of pace to keep us from going crazy.  A trip to see our West Texas family sounded like a great idea.

On the day we left, we stopped in Austin at Aunt Terri's house.  It just so happened that Grandma Bobbie and Angi were both in town!  It was a fun treat to get to see even more family than we had expected. 

Plus, Angi and I think it's been over 10 years since we've seen each other.  It's bonkers, and time is a crazy thing.  Hopefully, it won't be another decade before we get to visit.  Plus, I learned an awesome story about how Angi's primary teachers were trying to get her to smile for a picture and told her to "smile and say, "WHISKEY!" WE just smiled on our own here!

After lunch and a little bit of playing, it was time to hit the road again. 

Bridgeland Brunch

The RHOB {Real Housewives of Bridgeland} got together last week for a Christmas brunch.  I miss these neighbors dearly, and am so grateful to be able to be close enough to see them a few times a year.  We did a favorite things exchange AND we happened to be there when the Houston Chronicle was there doing a story on the place.  They even asked for our names and to take our picture for an article.  The photographer is supposed to be emailing me the best pictures, so our little group might become famous!!! 

Christmas, Part II

Dad FINALLY got home from work, and we started opening presents, again.

What a wonderful Christmas we had!  So many surprises, happy faces, excited boys, and grateful words. 

Each boy got a new, hooded towel with their name on it---no more fighting over "the dog towel."

The boys were so excited about the gift they got for their dad---STAR WARS ON BLURAY!!!

There were lots of other cool Star Wars gifts, too!

And, I finally got a few of these bills!  {We always get our allowance/savings out in 20s, so I haven't actually had one of these new 100s in my wallet.  Technically, these never went there, either, as we are saving for a Disneyland trip, but they were in my little hands long enough to document it!}

With all the amazing presents, Kyle did have a big disappointment.  He kept saying, "I'm saving this one for last because I hope it's MY Nintendo 3DS" or "I can't wait for MY 3DS."  I finally had enough and responded, "Don't get your hopes up because you didn't get one."  He thought I was joking, and was even more disappointed when that last gift, in the golden wrapping paper, turned out to be a box of PJs.  Super Sad Kyle came around then.  With tears welling up, he managed, "but, I ASKED for it!?!?"  Kyle learned a hard lesson about gratitude for what you DO have and that even Santa doesn't bring everything of your heart's desire, just because you request it come to you.  I hate that this kind of thing happens, especially when they are so richly blessed, but we all have to learn about gratitude and being happy in all circumstances.  This Christmas was Kyle's turn.


We ate and played and enjoyed the rest of Christmas.  Then, the boys had a sleepover in the game room.

Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night!