Stocking holder 1, Lauren 0

We decided to start decorating for Christmas tonight since we were getting our tree tomorrow. I had just hung our stocking on the mantle using our pretty (heavy) bronze reindeer holders when Lauren decided to "hang" from them, immediately pulling it off the mantle and hitting her in the face. After the bleeding stopped and Jason got home we decided she'd probably need stitches. Jason spent the night (literally 5 hours) at Dell Children's Hospital Emergency Room and Lauren ended up with Dermabond. 

ouch!

good morning at the gym

I love the days we just take our time at the gym. Today I worked out, then got the kids and swam with them. We all showered and then ate our lunches I packed in the cafe. It was a relaxing way to spend the better part of the day! 

crazy kid

I was in my room this afternoon and in walks this character...

just as cute and crazy as can be! 

new clothes from Grandma

Grandma got the kids some new clothes at a consignment shop and they were just too cute!

 Lauren loves her zebra pants! 

Colson got a new Cars track suit but didn't want to wear the jacket for his picture. 

Cheese! 

out-takes

Here are a few of the pictures that we didn't use on our Christmas cards, but I still loved... 

All Lauren wanted to do -

Colson was being especially crabby and just wanted to run around with his car

One of the few moments of happiness for the kids -

still trying to get a good picture...

just smile everyone! 

Holiday Pictures

Tina was nice enough to help us take some pictures at the park today for our Christmas cards. It was a bit of a debacle since both kids were uncooperative but at least the weather was nice this year! 

good night

Colson cannot go to bed without kissing Lauren goodnight (at least once). Tonight she was trying to get away from him, but he is persistent and finally got his kiss! 

mmmmwah! 

walking Loudoun

We were outside playing in the yard today and Lauren decided to take Loudoun on a walk with her jump rope. He even got to join her in the clubhouse. 

Loudoun was happy to play along

and always loves the attention! 

Thanksgiving

The kids and I made a Thanksgiving turkey picture with a few of the things we were thankful for but somehow I did not take a single picture of our Thanksgiving celebration this year!? 

We went to my mom and Wayne's house for a delicious meal of turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, stuffing, gravy, green beans almondine, cranberry rice pilaf, pumpkin garlic knots and pie. It was a great "simple" meal to celebrate being together as a family. We are all so thankful for the blessings in our life. 

ready for Grandma's house!

Lauren got to spend a special day and night at Grandma's house. She was so excited! 

caramel apples

I wanted to make caramel apple bites for Thanksgiving and let the kids make their own for dessert. They made theirs with apple slices, dipped them in the butterscotch chips and then their choice of sprinkles. They loved it- of course.  

so yummy! 

beautiful day at the park

We have been having some unusually beautiful days for this time of year! We spent the afternoon at the park enjoying the weather. 

Lauren decided to make "snow angels" in the gravel... so creative.

both kids love to swing

such a happy little boy (most of the time)

loving her swing and doing it all by herself

Oklahoma vs. Texas

no, this isn't a post about rival football teams...

The top things I miss about OK

1. our friends- hope to see some of them again soon! 
2. the ZOO! I really miss our zoo!
3. the Science Museum
4. our YMCA family

Why we love Texas

1. some of our family lives here
2. our good friends are close by
3. our church is walking distance away
4. they have reasonable (fast) speed limits
5. we can buy wine and beer at the grocery store - this one may seem silly, but you can't bring kids into liquor stores in OK, so unless I hired a babysitter most of the time I couldn't buy alcohol since Jason traveled so much! (it's the little things...) 
6. THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME 

interior pictures of our new house

A few pictures of the inside of our new house... I'll leave the exterior pictures for Jason to take! 

Front door and foyer

view from front door

formal dining room (with treadmill hidden behind shade!)

Jason's office

downstairs bathroom

kitchen view from pantry

kitchen view from dining area

view of living room from dining area

dining area

living room

stairway

upstairs playroom

Lauren's room

Kid's bathroom

Colson's room

Master bedroom 

master bathroom

looking down into living room

looking down into foyer (hi Loudoun!)