Vacationing in Florida!

Hi y'all. We are still in Orlando visiting family and having a wonderful time. The weather is just beautiful and we are staying busy. The boys had a great time at Mimi's house. We went to the playground, walked on the golf course and even took a ride in the golf cart! On Sunday, we went to St. Petersburg to my Aunt Dee Dee's house. We were able to visit my Aunt Dee Dee, Aunt Debbie as well as many cousins and second counsins. We then went on to Tampa Bay to show the boys the water. At first they didn't know what to think but Jackson soon felt comfortable walking in the water. However, Jonathan hated the sand on his feet! Yesterday, Jon went golfing and we took the boys to the pool. We had so much fun there. Makayla was a great help watching the boys with me. After we got home from the pool, Jon watched the boys while my Mom, Aunt Debbie, Makayla and I went shopping and out to dinner. It was fab-u-lous! Here are a couple of pictures of what we've done so far...

Boys taking a walk around Mimi's golf course

Boys playing on the playground at Mimi's
Boys at Tampa Bay

Aunt Debbie, Jackson, Kimberly, Jonathan and Makayla
at Tampa Bay

Our family at Tampa Bay
Mimi and Aunt Debbie coaching the boys into Tampa Bay

Kimberly and Jon enjoying some quiet time together at Tampa Bay

Jackson getting comfortable with the water at Tampa Bay
Jackson and Jonathan at the Resort pool
Jonathan and Jackson splashing in the pool

It's happened!

Well, it has happened! I was warned by everyone around here but refused to listen! What am I talking about, you ask? Jonathan and his cowboy boots! When I told everyone that I bought Jonathan and Jackson some cowboy boots for Christmas, they said, "Oh no!" They went on to tell their horror stories of their boys wanting to wear the cowboy boots with their shorts, pjs and even swimming trunks! Well, I didn't hear one story about them wanting to wear them with their DIAPERS! But that is my boy! Jonathan LOVES his boots! Yesterday, he could only find one but that didn't stop him. He decided to wear ONE boot until I found the other 30 minutes later. I believe my boy is a true Texas born Cowboy!

Our Early Christmas!

We celebrated our Early Christmas this morning with my Dad and Susan. When the boys woke up this morning, we brought them downstairs to find gifts all around the tree (and some unwrapped)! When Jonathan saw this, his eyebrows went straight to his hairline. It was so funny. Here are just a few of the hundreds of pictures I took.....

Our Christmas tree Jackson looking at ornaments

Jonathan with bow on his head

Jackson with bow on his head

Jonathan with his new cowboy boots

Boys looking at their new Elmo Kitchen

Mommy and boys unwrapping gifts

Jackson on motor bike

Jonathan on motor bike

First Baptist Church Christmas Program

On Sunday evening, I was asked to take pictures of our church's Christmas Program. The program was the most beautiful Christmas program I have ever attended. I thought I would share some pictures that I took.

New Pictures

Well, it seems that I'm getting more and more off my list! Boy, does it feel good. I only have 2 more presents to buy and I am completely done. I was actually able to get some wrapped and under the tree tonight. I always like having presents under the tree. Surprisingly, the boys left them alone.

Here are some pictures that I took of the boys in the bath and Jon outside of Walmart ringing the bell for the Salvation Army.

New Creative Team Layouts!

Hi y'all.

Here are a couple of layouts that I did for my new Creative Team and for the Magazine.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Hi y'all.

Boy, has it been busy ever since we returned home from Missouri! Where do I begin?

Jon and I are the Gala Chairs for the Inaugural Covenant Hospital Plainview Foundation Gala. It will be held at the Plainview Country Club on February 28, 2009. It's a great deal of work but for a wonderful cause! We have great plans and I know it will be outstanding!

I've been accepted to two additional Creative Teams. These new designers are so talented and produce such beautiful kits. One, however, is a French Designer. All of the other Creative Team members are French. I am the only American on the Team. It has been so exciting communicating (using a translation software) and getting to know them. They said that they would teach me French if I would teach them English. Maybe when Jon and I travel to France and Italy, we will have friends to visit!

This week and last, I received my packets for dressing children for Christmas. I have 6 children total to buy clothes for. I am planning to go with a friend tomorrow after lunch to complete my shopping. It should be a fun day.

The hospital's Christmas Party is on Saturday evening. I think we will have a great turnout and am looking forward to Jon's speech. He said he's going to spice it up a bit! ha-ha. Hopefully, I will get some pictures to share.

Other than that, the boys have been wonderful and learning so much! I can't believe how smart they are! And boy, do they LOVE Christmas ... the lights that is! I took them around the town looking at lights the other night. All I heard in the backseat was, "Ohhhhh, Ahhhhh!" Then every once in a while, I would hear someone yell out, "Ma!" That's what the boys call me. It is so wonderful to see Christmas from a child's perspective!

God bless you all and Merry Christmas!

We're BACK!

We got back this week from our trip to Missouri for Thanksgiving. We had a great time spending time with family. Here are some pictures that I took during our visit.

Grandma and Jackson

Jackson playing in the leaves

Grandpa taking Jackson for a ride on the tractor
Grandpa taking Jonathan on the tractor
Jonathan opening a present

New Layouts...

I haven't had a great deal of time to scrapbook, but I have been able to get a couple completed.

A wonderful Family Reunion

We just arrived home a on Wednesday from Houston where we attended our 1st Family Reunion! We had such a wonderful time with everyone but only wish we lived closer. The boys did great on the trip over and back. The DVD player in the car is a life saver! I'm hoping to make this trip several times a year to visit them.

We shared a condo with my Mom and Step-Dad. It was on a golf course and had a full kitchen to keep the boys drinks and snacks that are a necessity. For the reunion, we had a BBQ on Sunday and on Monday, we took the kids to the zoo. The kids had such a great time! They all got along great ... not one fight! That's saying something with my two! Ha! Jon went golfing with my Step-Dad on Tuesday and played a terrific game! Here are some pictures from the zoo.

All Cousins:

Gavin, Jonathan, Gage, Jaegan and Jackson (Dexton was sleeping)

Aunt Debbie, Rachel, Jaegan, Gavin, Jon and Gage

My Mom, Jackson and Jonathan

(the boys thought the water fountain was the best part of the zoo) Me and Jonathan

Me lifting Jackson up in the Petting Zoo

Jackson and Jonathan in Petting Zoo

Jon and Jonathan in a Praire Dog tunnel
Jonathan trying to get out of the Houston Zoo toy store

with as many monkeys as he could carry