Handy Randy

Nathan got a sit and spin for Christmas. Jaxon and Nathan helped Randy put it together. It was great to see them playing and sharing with each other.

Christmas at Nana and Papa's House

The family gathered at Nana and Papa's house to exchange gifts and eat dinner. I love when our schedules allow us to all get together. It's fun to watch the kids play. All the grandkids sat in a circle on the floor in the living room. Nathan ended up in the middle of the circle. They each took a turn and exchanged their secret santa gifts.

Nathan's Santa Gift - Bounce House

The only thing that Nathan asked for this year was a bounce house. He was such a good boy that Santa had to fulfill his wish.

There was snow on the ground Christmas morning, so we emptied out his playroom. The bounce house takes up the entire room. Nathan loves it and bounces in it everyday.

White Christmas in Texas

Christmas Morning 2009

Hot Wheels! You can never have too many of those.

Three wheeled scooter

Daddy quickly put it together so Nathan could hop on for a test ride.

This is the helmet that goes with the scooter.

More Hot Wheels!

The Aftermath! Yes, that's a bounce house in the playroom.

Christmas Eve 2009

We spent Christmas Eve at Grandma's house. We first ate lunch. Then, we opened and played with our presents. Nathan got a lot of neat toys.

Opening his first present.

Playing with his awesome Hot Wheels track.

Markers to go with his easel.

Playing and singing with his piano.

Nathan loves to perform concerts for everyone.

Back to the track

Ready for Santa!

Nathan and Daddy

Wrapping paper tube fight!

Baking Christmas Cookies

Nathan really enjoyed baking and decorating Christmas cookies this year. His favorite part was putting the sprinkles on and, of course, eating them. He decorated about four cookies and promptly ate each of them after he added the sprinkles.

Cutting the cookies.



Rolling the dough.

Sometimes you just have to get on the table to make the cookies come out just right.

Spreading the frosting.

Adding the sprinkles. Yum!!

Nathan's Christmas Program

Nathan's school put on a Christmas Program for the parents. His class dressed up like reindeer and sang three songs. Nathan practiced his songs at home, but had a little stage freight during two of the songs. This song, Reindeer Pokey, he didn't sing, but did do the hand motions. To translate the song . . . They put their antlers in, red noses in, hooves in and little tails in.

Here is Nathan and his class performing Reindeer Pokey. He is second from the right.


Nathan's preschool class.

Performing "I've Been Waiting for Christmas".

Performing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas".

After the program, the parents were invited back to their classroom for snacks.
Mommy and Nathan

Daddy and Nathan

Fever, Runny Nose and a Cough

Poor Nathan is not feeling well today. He is hanging out in his jammies, resting and relaxing all day. We have The Chipmunks movie playing on a continuous loop. Since yesterday, I have watched it four times already and counting. We hope he feels better soon. He doesn't like to miss out on school.

He is camped out in front of the TV with his pillow, blanket and dog, Twister.

"Stop it, Mom! I'm watching a movie."(It's no fun having the paparazzi follow you around all time . . . especially when you're sick.)

Twister is Nathan's protector. He has been right next to Nathan since he has been sick.

"The Pioneer Woman Cooks" Book Tour

I have been following The Pioneer Woman's blog for about six months. My sister, Kathy, got me hooked on it. The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, wrote a beautiful cookbook and went on a book tour this fall. I was so excited to find out that she would be making a stop in Dallas.

My sister and I ordered our cookbooks and went to get them signed this evening. We arrived at Borders around 6:30 PM, got our wrist bands and waited for Pioneer Woman to arrive. Little did we know that we would be there for 7 hours.

7:00 PM - Ree arrives at Borders Bookstore. Her two daughters were with her. She welcomed and thanked the crowd and then quickly got to work signing everyone's books.

Around 10:00 PM - Kathy and I decide to take a coffee break. I needed some caffeine to keep me going.

Around 12:30 AM - We got to a point in the line where there were many chairs and stools gathered. As the line moved everyone scooted down to the next chair or stool. I'm very tired at this point, but still smiling.

Around 1:30 AM - We finally arrive to the front of the line. Ree was still smiling and very pleasant after she had been sitting there for 7 hours greeting and signing away.

Ree had these cute t-shirts made for the book tour and gave one to each person who came to see her. How nice is that? You wait in line for hours to met her and then she gives you a gift. That's just the kind of person she is!

Here is my signed book. It took 7 hours, but was a great experience and I'll never forget it. Thank you, Ree, for being you, and sharing your life with us.