Jenna. Dec 27. Shopping.

We were the glad recipients of several gift cards this Christmas. One was for JCPenney, which is not a very big store in our area. So we decided to meet up with Grandmom at the North East Mall.

Kevin wanted to pick out a new hat. He says his head gets cold because he doesn't have any hair. Kennedy tried this one on. Silly girl.

Jenna. Dec 26. Christmas Travels.

Merry Christmas from DFW! We went to church at home and then made the drive after lunch to get to Kevin's parents' house. We spent the afternoon and evening with his parents, his sister + husband and their 3 boys.

The kids would hardly hold still and again I didn't get any other pics than this one.

Jenna. Dec 25. Christmas Day.

Kennedy took that pic and unfortunately it's the only picture I have from my phone of that day. I know Kevin took some with his camera. We spent the day at various gatherings. Breakfast was just the 5 of us at home; we opened our presents, played with our presents, and ate Butter Braids - yum! (Colby's school fundraiser) Lunch was a Christmas feast at my uncle Philip's house with my dad's extended family, and then dinner was [by request] spaghetti and meatballs at my parents' house with my parents and sisters.

The weather turned a little cooler today, so it was nice to sit by the fire and enjoy Christmas in a sweater instead of in shorts, which was what we had been wearing since last week. Although, it was nice to let the kids go outside and play on the trampoline every day instead of worrying about having to pick up their toys inside. Plus, now they have new toys to play with, since it's Christmas!

Jenna. Dec 24. Christmas Lights.

I love driving around to look at Christmas lights. Kevin and I took the kids in their pajamas after dinner tonight. I also took a cup of my favorite fruit wassail. Here's the recipe, I got from a friend at MOPS.

1 can frozen orange juice
1 bottle (64 oz.) cranberry juice
1 large can pineapple juice
12 whole cloves

Heat together on the stove.

Jenna. Dec 19. Gingerbread Man.

Colby's Kindergarten teacher gave him a copy of The Gingerbread Man on Thursday. He brought it home, read it, and then began asking when we could make gingerbread cookies. So, today was the day. [I'm always happy to oblige when it comes to baking, especially cookies and also especially at Christmastime.]

Here's Colby reading the story while the cookies are in the oven.

Here's Kennedy's finished product - she made a few mini-houses (with the help of a cookie cutter but Carlee tried to rip them apart anyway) and a Gingerbread Girl, complete with bow, that took up 1/2 of the cookie sheet! [We watched the Girl to make sure she didn't run away!]

And, Kennedy is on a picture-taking streak... here's a great one she took of her funny Daddy.

Jenna. Dec 18. Florida Family.

Today we were graced with the presence of my cousin Lin and her husband Keith and their four children - Aubrey, Amanda, Garner, & Avery. I didn't get too many pics but we laughed until our sides hurt and ate our annual Feliz Navidad dinner of chili, enchiladas, guacamole, taco salad, and a cornucopia of pies.

Here's Colby with Garner (age 13). Can you see the family resemblance?

And Kennedy wanted her pic taken. In the background, you can see Lin & Aubrey (age 20).

This is Avery (age 10). Kennedy took a lot of Avery pics that looked a whole lot like this.

Katrina and Amanda (age 16) went to see a one-act play that night, so I didn't get Amanda's pic. Interesting fact: Kevin and I got married on Amanda's birthday. So, we can always remember how old she is, because she turned 8 that year.

We are looking forward to seeing these Florida cousins again this next summer!

Jenna. Dec 12. Forgotten pics...

I realize I'm cheating here but I thought these were neat. On the plane back from our trip to Disney World, we had a short stop-over in Panama City, FL, and the pilot asked if any kids wanted to come and tour the cockpit. Kevin took Colby & Kennedy in and took these pics.

[Technically from November 28th.]

Jenna. Dec 11. Tree!

This year is the first year we have been able to set up our artificial tree, put on the lights, and decorate it with ornaments all in one afternoon. Why? We had help! The kids loved to help with all parts of the Christmas tree making. I loved watching them.

[Kevin had the hard job of lifting the kids up to put the ornaments on.]

I love our tree. Kevin's parents gave us this tree when we got married, and they used it for some years prior. So, I really have no idea how old it is, but I'd consider it an antique. It's so pretty.

Jenna. Dec 10. thefirstchristmas.org

We made the trip to Houston's First Baptist Church tonight to see their annual Christmas celebration program. This year Alicia and Katrina were in the choir, and Alicia pulled double duty by playing percussion in the orchestra too.

Here's a pic from Kevin's iPhone. I was completely amazed at the show, and if you ever get the chance to go, or MAKE the chance to go, take it!

Jenna. Dec 7. Daddy's little helpers.

Kevin made a dessert for his company's yearly dessert bake-off. He had 3 sous chefs this year.

Jenna. Dec 4. Clothes.

I took all of these clothes out of all our closets for the purpose of coordinating something for our church directory picture today. Colby and Kevin helped me pick out which ones we would use. I bought a new shirt for me and for Colby (which turned out to be too big) but other than that, we chose to go with solid colors and jeans.

PS - we looked really cute for the pic but the lighting was just terrible. I am so spoiled to have a photographer for a husband. ;)

Jenna. Nov 29. Bible reading.

still more on the blog. :)

Jenna. Nov 27. Last day - Magic Kingdom.

Are you tired of Disney World yet?

Jenna. Nov 20. Carlee & Daddy.

Jenna. Nov 8. Here's my sign.

Found this on the message tile in our bathroom. Thanks, babe.

Jenna. Oct 10. 10-10-10.

Kevin and I attended the wedding of a high school friend tonight. The wedding was gorgeous, and I got to catch up with some old friends at dinner. [We all live in the same town and pretty much have since graduation... but you know, life happens.]

I love this picture of Kevin and me, taken by one of my high school friends. [Thanks!]

Jenna. Sep 5. Aggie football game.

Look who I got to kiss when the Aggies scored!

Jenna. Aug 3. Anniversary Present.

8 years, 8 cookies.



The perfect gift matches the perfect man for me.

Jenna. Jun 1. Kevin Quiltpants.

Tonight was date night. We ate at Cracker Barrel, then went to Macy's to exchange some items. Kevin was pretty excited about these pants, found near the golf-wear section.

[Note: item pictured is NOT what was exchanged Nor purchased.]

Jenna. Apr 21. Smile!

I was so very glad to walk into Colby's room and see this.

[I've been sick all week and lying on the couch never felt as good as it did today. Colby let me have a nap while his sisters napped and I would have made him cookies to thank him, but he was okay with playing games on my iPhone instead. What a great kid.]