Friday morning coffee...

...with my hubby. So glad it's back! It's one of the few times we get to have adult conversation in our household. Without a certain little toddler wanting us to read a book or play ball. It does require that I get out of bed much earlier than normal but it's totally worth it. And...some Fridays (well, maybe most), I even crawl back in bed until that certain little toddler wakes me up for the day. Not sure when or how I became this person who sleeps in but I'll go with it for now.

As much as I love the holidays and spending time with family, I am so thankful to be back into a routine. One that includes playdates with friends, lunches with Kass and days where we don't get out of our pj's. As my friend Emily put it, "normal is so good".

Adios 2010

On Friday, Kass and I packed our bags and headed to Fort Worth to meet friends and bring in the new year. We checked in to the Sheraton that afternoon and then made our way down to the Stock Yards for drinks, a lil' shopping...

...and lots of fun. We tried on princess hats,

...and pretended to be cowgirls and 'boys.

With our names on the back of our belts. Well, just one of us. Only my dear friend Hayley can pull this off and still look smokin' hot.

After the Stock Yards, we had our driver take us back to the hotel so we could get all sparkly for dinner at Ferre'...

...and Eli Young at Billy Bob's. Not that we got to see or hear much of Eli Young. It was way crowded and smokey. But that was quite all right. We people watched for a good part of the night. Very interesting to say the least. And then brought in the new year with our elegant 2011 paraphernalia.

Meanwhile, Kaden was at home with Nana and Papa. He enjoyed an evening at the mall, pulling clothes off hangers while they shopped. And dinner at On The Border, making a complete mess of his food and flirting with the waitresses. All in all a wonderful start to a new year!

Happy 2011 to our followers!

a merry little Christmas

We had just that. A merry little Christmas. It was absolutely wonderful. I loved every part of the day. Waking up in Christmas pj's. Indulging in the breakfast my hubby made. Watching my dad quietly sneak into Kaden's room to wake him up (he claims he was already awake but I'm 100% sure he was still asleep). The look on Kaden's face when he saw the big red horse Grandpa gave him. All the gifts piled under the tree. Cooking with family. Eating with family. Again and again. All. Day. Long. It's what you're suppose to do on Christmas, right?!?!

Here are a few pictures from our day. The first 2 are from the night before Christmas. I thought they were too cute not to post.

Auntie B having fun giving Kaden a bath. Love those curls!

This little boy loves to read. Especially about animals. And Jesus too.

This is the look. What?!?! For me?!?! Can I get on it already?!?!

Ahhhh...much better. Now giddy up and go! This is the 5th horse Kaden has gotten since he was born (3 stuffed horses, the 1 in the background and Big Red). Hmmm...maybe he'll be a cowboy... He loves Big Red. And must get a ride or 2 or 3 in daily.

Much to our surprise, Kaden was really in to all of his gifts. Not so much in the unwrapping part. But once the wrapping was off, he wanted the toys. Out of the box. Batteries installed. Ready to be played with.

Unfortunately, we didn't get many blog worthy pictures from the rest of the day. We were too busy eating. Cooking. And playing. I must say this was my favorite Christmas. I'm sure every year will just get better, especially when you get to see your little boy's face light up with joy. Thank you Lord for all the wonderful blessings in life!

a cute subject

Since it was only 80 out today here in McKinney (yes on December 21st), I decided it was time to take Kaden out in the backyard and test out the new camera in the natural light. I got it for my birthday last week from the boys and have yet to really use it outside. I love it. But there is still so much left to learn about it. Kind of overwhelming. I will be signing up for a photography class in the new year. A new hobby? Perhaps. Hope you enjoy the pictures of my cute lil' subject. And yes. There is one of the dog too. Only Patch though. Jess doesn't sit still long enough.

one proud big sister...

Last Friday, my little sister graduated from Texas A&M University. I am so very proud of you, Bridget Rene'! So proud, that the first time I saw you walk into Reed Area that morning in your cap and gown, my eyes filled with tears of happiness.

I am not the only one proud of you...

Yes, it took lots of us working together to keep Kaden occupied and entertained during the graduation ceremony.

This is the look you get from a 13 month old lil' boy when he's been up and on the go since 5 am...just to see his Auntie B graduate... Definitely worth it! Wouldn't trade that day for anything...

Santa Claus

Kaden and I met our friends Logan and Amanda at the mall this morning for playtime and to get the boys' picture with Santa. This was Kaden's first year to meet the jolly ole' man. Last year, I was too wrapped up in trying to figure out how to be a mom. Kaden tried hard to squirm out of Santa's lap, as you can tell. I'm just happy he didn't scream during the picture. Don't want that in the scrapbook (whenever I decide to get started on it...that's a whole other story).

Merry Christmas Y'all!

*SURPRISE*

I wish I could have seen the look on his face as he walked into a room filled with friends, just to surprise him for his 30th birthday. I have been told he was grinning from ear to ear...PRICELESS! For the last 2 weeks, I have been very stressed and on edge. Why? Because I couldn't talk to my best friend about planning his own surprise party. I would get so excited every time someone RSVP'd yes. But I couldn't share that excitement with him! Very hard for me...I tell him everything. I warned him (1) not to look at my email account in case it was open on my computer and (2) not pick up my phone...AT ALL! and (3) not to look at the credit card account (this made him very nervous, it was all part of my plan).

He didn't have a clue on Saturday night...and I loved that part! I am pretty sure he was amazed by the fact that I actually kept it a secret. Thank you Mark and Amanda, Jake and Hayley, Stephen and Meagan, Brad and Lauren, Cody and Tara, Micah and Denae, Brent and Jessica, Bridget and Jenny. I loved and appreciated your help in surprising my hubby!