As in true December-fashion, the month has been very busy. We are sad that there were many things that were scheduled at the same time as other commitments and we were unable to attend them. Brooklyn was very sad to miss her Girl Scout Christmas party as well holiday breakfasts, caroling outings, and parties. We cannot do more than one thing at a time, and that is a hard thing to swallow when you want to do everything you can possibly do!
Our church hosts an annual event called the Vintage Dinner. It is a beautiful night for ladies to get together, be served a wonderful dinner by the men of the church, listen to live music, and hear a wonderful message by a special speaker. Laurie joined me this year and we joined my mom at her table she was hosting.
Brooklyn had her second swim meet for year round swim the next day. She swam in 5 events during the weekend. She did great! She dropped huge time on her 50 yd backstroke, added a touch of time on her 50 yd free, competed in her first year round relay (they DQed), her first IM (she DQed), and did a beautiful 50 yd breaststroke where she put up a wonderful time! I am very proud of her!
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| Hanging with friends, Madi and Tori |
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The way we can spot Brooklyn out of everyone is that her left hand is always pulling on her ear when she gets out of the water! It is her signature move!!!
Crazy holiday hats for all!!!!
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| Mimi has her crazy Christmas hat that the kids love to wear!!! |
Brooklyn had her choir concert for the holidays with her bff Karianne. They are such a cute group of girlies! The music was beautiful and the girls are learning so much!
Holiday parties galore! We started off with my work Christmas party....it is always a blast!!!!!!!
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| My girls from the 4th grade team that joined us! |
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| Hard to get a staff picture! There were tons of us there! |
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| I could not get through my days without Richelle! |
Off to school Christmas Parties for the kids! I am blessed that I get to head over after school to my kids' school and join them on their party day! I love seeing them with their friends!
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| My little man! |
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| They got to make mugs! |
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| Gag gift Christmas exchange with the team! Some of them loved what they got even though they were gag gifts...me....not so much!!! Goodwill it goes! |
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Bunco was at my house for December. It was a warm 80 degree day but we all put on our Christmas sweaters, ate yummy soup, exchanged gift cards, and just had a chance to hang out and talk!
We did tons of baking for all of our family that is coming in town! We made 5 pans of nuts and bolts, cinnamon caramel cookies, orange dreamsicle cookies, peanut butter balls, and neimen marcus bars for all to enjoy!
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| Brooklyn had to help me mix up the Nuts and Bolts in a big trash bag! |
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| Christmas Sunday! The kids are just so precious!!! |
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| Playdate at Julie's house. Colson loves playing with Ethan and Marshall and the girls love when Brooklyn comes over! They look up to her so much! |
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| We surprised the kids with tickets to see STAR WARS! They were so excited because they didn't think we were going to let them go!!!!! It was priceless to see their reaction! |
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| Granny's 88th Christmas to celebrate! We went and go her hair done to help her celebrate in style! She knew my name today which is the first time in forever! |
Kiki, John and little John came home a few days before Christmas! We have loved our time with them and just adore little John more than words can express.
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| John loves cars, trucks, and trains! He raided all of Colson's and made his pick! |
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| Who's your fave aunt?!?! |
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| John wanted to play dominoes with us but didn't want to do it our way! |
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| A little Mexican train was awesome! |
On Christmas Eve, we exchanged our presents with our immediate family before we went to the Alford house for our celebration over there. The kids love picking out presents for each other and were so excited to see each other open them!
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| Curt surprised me with a Yeti that he had laser engraved! |
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| Off to Memaw and Pop's house |
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| Pop got a Kuerig from our family and the Cariellos! |
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| Isa (19), Crystal and Philip |
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| Ready for night night and Santa to come! (Although neither child believes in Santa, they are still so excited) |
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| Colson got a Star Wars robe from Brooklyn! |
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| Brooklyn got a book about dog breeds from Colson! |
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| Star Wars Monopoly! |
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| A book about the Gas we Pass.... |
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| Scavenger Hunt winner is.....Allison!!!!! |
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| Crystal surprised me with the perfect Texas addition to my house! |
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| Milk, cookies, and oatmeal all out and waiting! The kids always draw a nativity scene for Santa to see....such a cool tradition of their own! |
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Our traditional picture the night before Christmas!
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Christmas morning, we woke up to 3 babies in the house that were visited by Santa during the night. Brooklyn, Colson and John all woke up and were so excited to see what Santa brought. Colson loved all of the Star Wars stuff and Brooklyn loved her sewing machine!
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| Brooklyn's gifts from Santa |
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| Colson's gifts from Santa |
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| He loved his Star Wars book! |
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| Brooklyn wanted a digital watch so badly! |
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| Potty training time for little John! |
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| She was so surprised to get a sewing machine! |
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| Lego+Star Wars= happy kid |
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| Little John cared nothing about his gifts, but Big John did! |
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| sewing kit from Cynthia! |
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| Grandma got a cell phone and truly had no idea what it was! I had to give her a few lessons! |
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| Love my hat from my mother and father in law! |
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| sewing kit from Kiki |
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| Christmas breakfast |
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| Granny joined us for breakfast and to open her gifts. |
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| The Carrigans joined us late Christmas night! We were so happy they were with us for Bridger's first Christmas! |
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| I love me some sweet baby!!!! |
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| Pokeno time.....first year that both kids were able to play by themselves! |
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| So proud of them! |
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| Brooklyn LOVES babies!!! |
Playdates were many during the holiday both for kids and parents! It was great!
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| We got to go to the Houston Museum of Natural Science on a rainy day with the Heemers! The kids are growing so much! |
I got 10 inches cut off my hair!
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| I was ready for a fresh new look! |
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| New Year's Eve dinner! Bullritos.....Brooklyn's choice! |
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| Oh my handsome! |
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| New years eve with the Sam Houston roomies and kids! |
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| Seriously the best friends a girl could have! |
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| We went to Lindsay's house also for a few hours for New Year's! It was a blast! |
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| Love my 4th grade girls! |
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| The kids at the Ardoin house! |
Here's to 2016! Our 2015 was filled with joy, excitement, sad times and happy times!
Brooklyn's POW for 2015: Kiki and John moving to St. Louis
Brooklyn's WOW for 2015: A great summer swim season with tons of success
Colson's POW for 2015: Kiki and John moving
Colson's WOW for 2015: Smoky Mountain Trip and Christmas with the family
Allison's POW for 2015: Kiki and John moving and Poppi's stroke
Allison's WOW for 2015: A great first semester of school with great classes
Curt's POW for 2015: Rough school year
Curt's WOW for 2015: summer vacation to Smokies
