Cowboy Santa

Today we took a quick trip to Gruene so the girls could get their picture made with Santa. This was the only weekend we could go since every weekend between now and Christmas is booked with something. Today turned out to be a great day to go. I guess everyone was out Black Friday shopping because there weren't any crowds in Gruene and we walked right up to Santa.

This year both of the girls went straight for the saddle. Sarah jumped on it first and then Kristen wanted on it. We talked them into sitting on Santa's lap first and then they could each take a picture on the saddle. We picked this picture since it was the best one but Sarah has already asked me what happened to her picture on the saddle. :-)

We didn't stay in Gruene too long....just enough time for Santa and some lunch but it was a very fun day.  I made their shirts last night and I think they came out cute! The girls had a lot of fun and they love "going out of town" they said. They told Santa they wanted princess dolls and they thanked him for the candy cane. A great day with my family!

Sarah just likes to have her picture taken

Thankful

Last Friday the girls school hosted a Thanksgiving lunch for all of the families. They split it up between an 11:00 serving and a 12:00 serving to make it work. The food was fantastic and they do it all themselves. We are truly grateful for a wonderful school. I honestly wouldn't have these girls anywhere else. This is a wonderful school with wonderful teachers. Their class also performed a song for the parents....I'll try to upload the video because it was super cute!

Their teacher, Ms. Morgan, interviewed them. She basically asked them all a series of questions and filled in the blank with their answers.

Kristen's - I Am Thankful For
I am thankful for the macaroni & cheese that I eat.
I am thankful for the socks, shirts, dresses & tights that I wear.
I am thankful for the house that I live in.
I am thankful for the kitty cat that I play with.
I am thankful for the mommy & daddy that I love.
I am thankful for the butterflies that I see outside.
I am thankful for my heart. 

Sarah's - I Am Thankful For
I am thankful for the peaches that I eat.
I am thankful for the dress that I wear.
I am thankful for the Texas, America that I live in.
I am thankful for the Minnie Mouse that I play with.
I am thankful for the family that I love.
I am thankful for the rolly-polly that I see outside.
I am thankful for my food.

Not sure why Sarah's placemat is sideways....

On Wednesday the girls and I made these pilgrim hat cookies, a chocolate pie and Paula Deen's pumpkin pie. I had to cook the pie a lot longer than the recipe called for, which is why the center looks like it does (I had to keep checking to see if it was done). The pie recipe was really good and I think I'll save it for next year!

Today we had Thanksgiving at my mom's house. The food was amazing and it was great spending the day with everyone.

I have so many things to be thankful for.....good health, a great job, a loving husband and a wonderful family......I'm extremely grateful to be a mom to these little girls.

Texas - Texas Tech & Kansas State games

I'm late posting this but we played Texas Tech Halloween weekend and we won! Casey was my partner at the game so we got to catch up during the 3 hours we get there early just to wait for the people to arrive. :-)

They did a Veteran's Day tribute and they had members of the army jump out of an airplane and land on the field. One flew the American flag, one flew the Texas flag and one flew the UT flag. He also carried the game ball with him as he came down and delivered it to the officials in the middle of the field. It was pretty spectacular to watch.

Yesterday was the Kansas State game and it was the final home game of the season. We lost but it was a great game. I have had so much fun this football season and it's a little sad all of the home games are now over. I've sat all over the stadium and my favorite seats are the upper deck in any of the three middle sections in seats as low down as possible. If only I could get season tickets there.....

It's been a pleasure to represent my hospital and be a part of something as wonderful as this. I look forward to next year!

Avery's Little Gym Party

We left Wurstfest early to make it back in time for Avery's 4th birthday party at The Little Gym. I didn't realize that the party was the same day we planned to go to Wurstfest but it still worked out well. Kristen & Sarah were worn out by the time we got home and they pretty much wanted to go straight to bed.

The Little Gym is such a great place for birthday parties....they had a great time.

Wurstfest

Today we went to the Wurstfest and it was the first time for the girls to go. We immediately found our favorite food there.....sausage on a stick, fried pickles and sauerkraut (for joe).  The best part was that Katie, Angela and Suni came and we got to see them for a few hours.  We only stayed about 3 hours because we had to get back to Austin for a birthday party. Next year we'll be sure not to double book ourselves so we can enjoy it longer.

Trick or Treat

Halloween night was loads of fun. We visited lots of houses in our neighborhood and the girls had a ball trick or treating. They were polite trick or treaters and would say happy halloween and then say thank you for the candy. We went with our neighbors, Jen, Paul, Thomas & Joshua. Kristen & Sarah got to see lots of their other friends throughout the night, which made it exciting for them.

Our friend, Christy, turned her garage into a haunted house and it did freak them out a little bit. They wanted to go in but they came running out after about a minute. It really wasn't scary but it was a little dark and I think that's what scared them the most.

Kristen as Little Red Riding Hood & Sarah as a Clown

Jennifer & Stephanie - we have some great neighbors!

Jen & Paul's son ~ Thomas

Jen & Paul's baby boy ~ Joshua

 Halloween was a blast....love trick or treating with my girls! They've been eating a piece of candy after dinner the last few nights but they are beginning to forget about it. Now if I could only convince Joe we're ready to put up our Christmas decorations......why wait until Thanksgiving???