Let the Christmas Festivities Begin!

I LOVE this time of year! There are always so many things going. One of our favorites is the Chuy's Children Giving To Children Parade in downtown Austin. This was our 3rd year, the boys love it. It is such a great way to teach kids about the spirit of giving at Christmas and for them to understand how lucky they are to have a home and a Christmas tree full of presents under it on Christmas morning. At the end of the parade all the kids get to run in the street to donate the present they brought. All the donations benefit Blue Santa. After the Parade we walked around the Capital and then over to Brick Oven Pizza for some yummy lunch!

Here are some pics of the parade

Tyler with Chibacca (the highlight of his life so far!!)

The Chuy's Float



They Chuy's fish


Coach Royal

Time for giving!

Thanksgiving 2008

The boys at the kid table (they are the only kids!!!)

Carter after a big Thanksgiving Feast! We had to wake this crazy man up!!!

I Believe

I hope we just started a new family tradition! Today when I was in the mix of the madness of Black Friday Shopping (I forgot to mention in my Black Friday Post that when Cheri and I were at Target we saw a girl that her shirt read " BFF ", "Black Friday Fanatic" .... Seriously!)

anyway, while at Target I picked up The Polar Express DVD for $5.00. After dinner tonite we all got in our PJ's popped some popcorn, made hot chocolate and snuggled on the couch to watch it! It was so awesome, they kids loved it and so did Brad and I! I hope we will sit as a family and watch that movie every year on Black Friday! I still hear the bell ring.... do you?

Let the madness begin!!!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving feast at my house with the family! After everyone left it was nap time! After we all rested up it was time for 2 BIG games and some decorating. We got our Christmas tree up and the boys had so much fun decorating, even though we are very bottom heavy with ornaments since that is as high as they could reach it looks beautiful! I had to head to bed early since I had a shopping date with Cheri at 5 am!! Last year we met at the outlet mall at midnight, but decided that was not worth it so we thought we would try the early bird thing! NO MORE!! man that was CRAZY!!! I did get some good things, but man people are NUTS when it comes to deals!! So next year we are going to try to hit the after early bird specials!!! It was fun and we will now have stories to tell our kids when they get older about how we had to fight for all their presents!

Puzzled and Thankful

Today during Carter's nap Tyler and I completed this awesome Star Wars puzzle that he had received from his bday. It was a lot of fun having this one on one time with him and actually completing something (that was great for me, usually I loose my patience half way through and tell him Daddy will finish it!!).

In honor of being the week of Thanksgiving I thought I would share what I am thankful for. Today (and everyday) I am thankful for my beautiful and healthy boys! They have been so fun to watch grow. I can't believe they are already 2 and 5 where does the time go!

Our Family Photos

My AWESOME friend Cheri was nice enough to take our family photos this year! I think she did an amazing job! Here are a few of my favorites!
Thanks Cheri!!!

I'm A Big Boy Now

I think Carter finally has the potty training down!! whooo hooo! We tried this a few months ago with no luck, but a few days ago I said lets try again. This time he gets it and it excited about it and tells me when he needs to go!!! Wish us luck that he does not change his mind!

Hometown Football Game

Last month I took the boys to the Liberty Hill Homecoming game! Nana went with us, it was so much fun! The boys loved it and it was fun remembering old times! Hard to believe it has been over 14 years since it was me out there cheering and running around the stadium! We only stayed until half time as the boys were getting tired. I couldn't believe I only saw a couple of people I recognized! Doesn't anyone come to homecoming anymore??? The Panthers have won state the last 2 years and I think they are on that track again this year! They blew away the other team during this game!!

Go Panthers!!!

Madonna

OH MY GOSH!!! This was a once in a lifetime trip I will never forget. 7 girls loaded up on a private jet and headed to Denver for the Madonna Concert all for Deanna's Bday! Her husband set up the awesome trip! We had the best seats EVER! we were on the floor row 5!!! WOW, we could touch her! She rocked for almost 2 hrs. She looked awesome and never got tired or took any breaks. We stood the entire time and sang along!!! I am surprised I have a voice today!!! We stayed in the best little hotel right there in down town Denver minutes away from the concert, drove around in a limo! I felt like we were the rock stars!!!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Lucky Day???

I noticed this morning that today is 11/11 does that make it a lucky day? I know when it is 11:11 you are suppose to make a wish so maybe we get wishes all day long!
I woke up lucky already
* my boys love me!
*my husband is awesome
*my house did not burn down last night even though I forgot to blow out my awesome candle from Williamson County Candles that I bought at Babes in Toyland!
*I am going to Madonna tomorrow!

What else does a girl need!!!
Hope you have a lucky day too!

The Force

Halloween 2008 was awesome!!! The kids were none other than Star Wars guys! Tyler was Obi Won Konobie (sp??) and Carter was darth vador (fitting he would be the evil one!!!)

They went to Ms Connies for the day for the fun halloween party then I after I picked them up we headed to our friends Kim and Rob's for pizza, play, play, trick or treat, play, play!!! They had sooooo much fun and so did we!

Tyler and his buddies!

All the goblins!

I'm BAAAAAAAAK!!!

After a crazy month or so, I am back!!!! The event I was heading up, Babes in Toyland, was yesterday so I am done!! I can have my life back, whooo hooo!
For those that came to the event THANK YOU!!!! I hope you had fun shopping. We had some awesome vendors and I got some Christmas Shopping done too!
here are some of the vendors in case you were not there but wanted to shop!
Alana Lilie Designs I got a photo keychain from her! (actually my mom got it for me for Christmas... surprise!!) now I have to get a picture to her
OHBOY! Designs, hey that is me!!! I was crazy enough to run the event and have a booth
Sew Its Yours had the cutest kids gifts!!!
Circle S is one of my favorite stores in Gtown, If you ever find yourself shopping there check her out!
Tisa's Creations had the best handmade stationary and cards! She was really sweet too!
Stone Tree, got someone a very nice bracelet from here for Chrismtas...??
Williamson County Candles, I am enjoying carmel pecan pie right now with out the calories!!! I also got one for someone for Christmas....???
Gingersnaps Kids Tyler got the coolest shirt from her. He was a model in the fashion show for her clothes and we bought the cool shirt he wore!!
OK I will give you one more, but the rest you will just have to wait until next year and come and see all these great vendors for your self!!!
Mary Barnett Photography! she is AWESOME! she did the santa photos which I cant wait to see and she did our pumpkin patch pics!! she is one of the nicest photographers you will ever meet and work with!!

???none of my links seem to be working??? sorry
here are some pics I took


tyler before the style show!






some of the booths, a little blury!!
some more booths