Cotillion Semi-formal 2009

The semi-formal cotillion dance was held at the Cultural Art Center. The room was beautifully decorated (I helped). Much to Jake's shock he found out that Mark and I were going to chaperone the dance! The kids were so much more relaxed this time. They are learning to dance and would all put me to shame.

Flower Girl

We arrived home in time to prepare for Terra Webb's wedding. Bethany was given the honor of being her flower girl. Terra wanted Bethany to fill the role as "Little Me". Thankfully both girls are "girly girls" and think they are princesses. The beautiful flower girl. Only instead of flowers she was ringing a bell down the aisle to announce the bride.
J'net made Bethany's beautiful dress!
The dress was as beautiful from the back as the front. I did her hair and don't think I have ever been more nervous!
Bethany showing off her "red" shoes.
Terra and Bethany comparing their "red" shoes.
Bethany, Terra and the brides maids. Once again, thank you Terra for letting us be a part of your special day.

Our Montana Friends

I don't know how to limit the pictures and so here I am with another slideshow - I want to control myself but I can't! We had a special addition to our Montana trip this year. We found out that Andy and Micelle would be there at the same time. So after 10 long years, we finally got a little face time! We showed off our beautiful children to one another and of course we sat down for a little game time! We left a day early to avoid bad weather and spent a little time in Missoula. We met our other special friend, Kim and her granddaughter, Cassidy, at the carousel. It was fun telling the kids about Jacob's 3rd birthday in that very place. We rode the carousel so many times I thought I might be sick! As we hit the road we decided on a little detour to show the kids where we lived when the last 4 years in Missoula. I was telling the kids about the big horn sheep we saw all the time in our yard and sure enough as we pulled up to the house a beautiful big horn stood there for my kids!

Christmas in Montana

With the addition of Facebook I feel like most of you have already seen these pictures and it may be redundant. But on the off chance that you haven't seen them, here are a few from our trip to Montana. You need to move the cursor over the picture to get the captions. It's a little long.

Almost a Teenager

This year has brought a lot of changes with Jacob. One, he is going by Jake more often (I don't mind we originally named him Jacob expecting it to change to Jake around 2, but I couldn't adjust). Two, he can pass as a high school student (a young one...but still!) while walking the halls of BHS for Mark, Jacob has been asked for his highschool ID on numerous occasions. Three, the EMOTIONS! I will leave it at that. Four, he has decided he likes fancy coffees - I don't even drink coffee. So, as a special treat on Fridays, Mark takes the younger kids to school and then he and Jake head to Texas Java for a little pick me up. I thought no big deal, until one Friday I took the kids to school and decided to follow the tradition. When you enter a restaurant and they call your son by his preferred beverage ... I think it may have gone too far.
I happened to have the camera in the car and couldn't resist documenting this part of our lives!Snicker FrapMmmmm good!
This is how traditions are created.

Christmas Programs

The kids each performed in the annual all choir sing at FBC. They each did a great job. It's amazing to see each of them grow. The church decided to do a different pageant this Christmas. Bethany was one of the children in the final act, her size earned her the special role of running to Jesus. I would love to say she is shy but the kid can perform. Jake was also given a role as a paige. He was supposed to escort one of the three kings to see baby Jesus. Somewhere along the way his pole broke but he didn't even flinch and completed the entire performance without most people noticing.

Main Street Bethlehem

I can't begin to tell you how fabulous this experience was for all of us. First let me say I strongly recommend that you arrive as close to 6pm (when the city gates open) as possible - it would be less crowded. Second if you can avoid a stroller do so. It isn't that much space to cover and would be easier to carry a child or use a pack carrier. Rachel and Zane missed out on a few things because the stroller couldn't get through or people would separate us from them.

Once you enter "the city" the characters will only interact with you as if they are truly in Bethlehem many years ago. The kids can ask questions and touch stuff. Nothing is really sold within the city walls though the salesmen appear very persuasive. The market place is loud as they shout over each other trying to get you to purchase their items.

This will be a new family tradition for us!

Thanksgiving 2008

I am so thankful! Even looking through these pictures (3 months after the fact) stirs so many thoughts of blessing. How can God love me so much to meet all of our needs and many of our dreams too. This Thanksgiving was extra special because of my kitchen help. The boys have helped in the past but they grew weary after a while. Bethany was in it for the duration. She asked if she could help make the pumpkin pie the day before and from then on, she was in the kitchen any time that I was. Dinner was a little later than originally planned but extra sweet because my helper participated in every dish served!

This year we decided to try a brined turkey - it was delicious and moist but I wasn't prepared for the amount of salt used, not the best choice for my dad. One of the funniest things that happened on Thanksgiving was Bethany setting the table. She laid out the plates, napkins, silverware and cups. When she finished that task she asked where the nametags were. I pointed out that there were only 7 of us and we all knew where to sit. She wasn't having any of it - so I stopped cooking and grabbed some of my card making stuff and she made us all placecards. I don't know where she comes up with this stuff - but it is fun to watch!

Thank you, Lord. Thank you.

Disney on Ice

As a special treat I bought tickets for Bethany, Drew and I to go to Disney on Ice... The Incredibles, in Waco. We had great seats, only about 6 rows up from the ice. The big splurge of the day was $10 snow cones, but we got to keep the cups. Anyway, it was a lot of fun for us all.