My Doggies

Aren't they sweet? Dixie is in her favorite spot. She loves to cuddle up next to Maddie. And Maddie has become such a great sister to her! (And don't they really look like sisters with the same color of hair!) It has been great to see Maddie so active again. She and Dixie play all the time.

San Antonio

in one picture....margaritas and some good Mexican food!

I try to steer clear of super greasy fattening foods, but occasionally I will indulge! And especially since I do not live in SA, I took full advantage of going for a late night snack at Chacho's. Plus, I went for an hour long run with my cousin that day!

My First Trip

I am on my very first trip without Pete or the girls. So this is Pete's very first time to be parenting on his own. I already miss the girls and Pete. I kept looking behind me at the airport because it just did not feel right to not have kids in tow.  I had lunch by myself at the airport, read some of my book and watched a movie on the iPod. It was more down time than I have had in a long time! I am looking forward to some more stress-free time with my family here in San Antonio- and especially the warmer weather! And thank goodness I wasn't on the flight that landed in the Hudson River. 

Thank Goodness It Is January

It's been awhile!

I have been too busy recovering from the month of December!

Let's start from the beginning of the month- we returned home from our Thanksgiving vacation to a broken refrigerator. We picked up our new family pet and two days later she was taken to the vet where we were told she may not make it. After a four night stay at the vet's, Dixie, thankfully, came home. I came down with Strep throat. We celebrated Tori's fourth birthday, spent a lot of time at holiday parties and holiday programs. And, of course, there were endless hours spent on the web trying to find the perfect gifts. And before the month ended, we spent about 8 hours in our home without running water. Joe the plumber came out and took a big fat check from us and now we have a new well pump and running water. (No city water for us country folks!)

So, as much as I enjoy the Christmas season, I am so glad that it is January!

We did have a really great Christmas. We are so blessed to have great friends and neighbors and a great church. Every year Christmas gets more exciting for us. It is such a joy to celebrate with our girls and get a glimpse of Christmas through their eyes.

Here are some of my favorites of Christmas 2008.

going through their stockings

The girls loved their umbrellas that Santa left in their stockings. Alli is wearing her new "fashion" dress up outfit and roller blades. Tori is wearing her new Hello Kitty ear muffs and her princess dress that plays music. And Katie is wearing and has been wearing almost every day her new Ariel night gown.

make-up from MoMo

ready to bake in their new Easy Bake Oven

And the best news of 2009- Katie is POTTY TRAINED!!! For the first time in four years, we do not have to buy diapers!!!

It has been about a week and a half since we've switched to panties and she is doing so AWESOME! I was a little worried. I did not know if it was possible to get three easy potty trainers. But I did!!! Thank you LORD for easy potty trainers! YAY KATIE!!

Merry Christmas

For us a child is born, to us a son is given and the government will be on His shoulders. And He would be called WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, MIGHTY GOD, EVERLASTING FATHER, PRINCE OF PEACE.

Isaiah 9:6

The Weather Outside Is Frightful.....

But The Fire Is So Delightful!

And perfect for roasting marshmallows!

Making a fire that lasts hours and hours is something we have learned this winter. Our first couple of fires were not so great. But now we can make a fire last all night. I love the way it smells, looks and warms up the room. And the girls love that they can roast marshmallows!

  Even the dogs enjoy the fire.

The weather has truly been frightful! We have had highs in the upper 20's the last couple of days! Burrrrrrr! I'd stay in all day if I could.

    But the girls still want to go out and play!

A Snow Day

Looks like it will be a White Christmas!

Tori missed out on all the fun. She was at her four year old check-up with Dad. I do not like to miss out on their check-ups, but there was no way I was going to attempt to drive in this, even with my 4-wheel drive!