Holiday Travels

Over the River and through the woods, to Grandmother's house we go...or went. We traveled a lot over the holidays and had a blast! We got to see almost all of our family within these past two weeks. I am so glad we are back in Texas and within driving distance to all of our family. Family is such an important part of the holidays and I am so glad we had the opportunity to see everyone! Here are A LOT of pictures of our holiday travels.

Cousins

It got really cold in Austin.

Feeding Papa icecream.

Sharing icecream with cousin Matthew.

Christmas morning #1.

Uncle Payton

A family of Rock Stars

Christmas morning #2

"I love Christmas!" This is a dress my Aunt Jerilyn made...so cute.

Brandon is borrowing Evy's Harley for the next few months and is soooo happy.

We made quilts for all of the Grandkids to stay at my Mom and Mark's house. When I was growing up, all of the grandkids had their own quilt and we would sleep on the floor in the living room. We are trying to help my Mom and Mark keep that tradition.

I love my little family.

New Year's Eve

P-A-R-T-Y...because I gotta!!

Dancing with my Dad.

Ok, I tried to warn you. It's a lot of pictures!!

Thanksgiving Fun

For Thanksgiving this year, we went up to Arkansas to visit some of my family that we haven't seen in a long time. My Mom and Mark were also able to be there. We had a really good time catching up with everyone but Brandon, Jacob, and I also got pretty sick. Let me tell you, driving 8 hours while 3 out 4 of you are sick, isn't fun. I felt so bad for Zoe on that car ride. I think all she ate that day was peanut crackers and water. Anyway, we had a really good time up in Arkansas. It was great to be around family again. Here are some pictures from our trip.

Around the Table

My Grandaddy and I

Four Generations

As you can see, the good times far out weighed the sick days!

Horray Texas!!

We are here! We got here on Saturday evening and have been frantically trying to make our apartment livable for the past few days. We went out to eat for a true Texan dinner at Logan's. We had steak, big portions and our waitress even said, "y'all." I was so excited to hear someone else say y'all it was hilarious. We are so happy to be back in Texas. Brandon reports tomorrow morning and we will find out what is in store for us for the next few months.

Leaving California

Last Thursday we had our final inspection on our house and hit the road for San Angelo, Texas. While Brandon and I were preparing to leave I got a bit sentimental. We have been looking forward to moving back to Texas for so long that I didn't really stop to think about leaving California. As Brandon and I talked about the memories we made in Monterey, we realized that it was our first real home. I know that we lived other places but this was the first time that we really had a home. We have worked in restaurants for so long that we never knew what it was like to sit down for dinner together every night of the week. This is the first time we have lived far enough away from family that we really had to go out and make new friends. We were lucky to have made such good friends. We made so many memories in our home in Monterey that we will never forget. I am so glad that our first military experience was a good one. I can honestly say that I will miss Monterey.

Here is a picture of the kids "helping" us load the U-haul.

Found It

I found the piece of glass we were afraid Zoe swallowed...with my foot. Ouch!

Worried Mom

Usually I am not the kind of Mom to freak out and rush her child to the ER, but today I was. We are getting ready to move this week so, of course, our house is chaotic. Zoe was playing with a plastic hour glass from a board game...at least we thought it was plastic. Being the curious child Zoe is, somehow she pulled the plastic apart and got to the piece on the inside. That piece was glass. When we found her, some of the glass had been broken and a piece was missing. Also, the sand on the inside was wet from her sucking on it. I decided that the possibility of Zoe swallowing glass was a good reason for the ER. Zoe had x-rays and she is fine. They wanted her in a gown for the doctor to examine her and I just thought she looked so cute.

Veteran's Day Hike

Today we went on a hike in Big Sur. It was a 4 mile hike and Jacob only rode on my shoulders the last 1/2 mile.

Zoe loved riding in her new hiking backpack. (We got it on craigslist for $25!!)


Here are some of the beautiful views.



Jacob had to have a stick to "go fishing" in all of the puddles.

I just love this picture!