LET IT SNOW! LET IT SNOW!

We got an opportunity to go out in the snow tonight! It has snowed 3 times this month and this is the first opportunity we got to go play. It was so much fun to see Maggie's reaction. Take a look for yourself!

Maggie was puzzled at first. She didn't know what to do.


Starting to warm up a little bit.


She wouldn't put her feet on the grass. She only wanted to stand on the patio.


Finally making it into the grass. We had to put her there, but she did it.


Maggie loved the snow so much she didn't want to come in. We were all wet, so it was time. She through herself on the floor and had a fit. It was funny to watch.

BUSY LAST FEW DAYS

Wow, I can't believe this week has already started to fly by. I am in denial about it. I am really not ready to head back to work. This time last year I was having to really get mentally ready and leave a baby behind. I guess this year it will be much easier. I am very blessed to be a teacher and have this time off. It really stinks that I get so use to being at home and enjoying my fun little girl. Then, I have to head back to work. I guess it is better for me and for her that I head back. She is tired of running around with me, and my wallet is really taking a hit.

The last few days Maggie and I have gotten a lot done. We hit the mall yesterday and returned a few things, ate lunch at the food court, went to Hobby Lobby for all of the big after Christmas sales, and made our way to the store. We had a lot of fun. So much fun, Maggie choose not to take her afternoon nap. Poor Mommy!!!!

We went to our friends house for pizza and play time later that evening. We go to Jenny and Justin's at least once a week or they come to our house. For the first time we really got to laugh and have a good time. Maggie and Will discovered each other. It was so much fun to watch them interact. We got a new camera as well, so here are a few pictures from our new camera. We still have a lot to learn about it.

Maggie and Will kept putting their hands in each others mouths.


Playing with Will's new Alphabet train.


Today, we ventured to Chick Fl'A with our friends, Target, and to Aunt Amy's house. We got a lot done on our shopping list and made it out with another Christmas present for Maggie. This girl really has so much. I am just at a loss for what to do with it all. We ended on a good note today with Maggie taking a nice 2 hour nap! I was very excited we got both in today. I got a lot done. I even cleaned out the fridge and scrubbed it! (Crazy, I know.)

We ended the night with some snow. It was nice to have a chance to play in it!

LET THE CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES BEGIN!!!!

We began our Christmas festivities in Houston celebrating with Jack's family. We go to the Children's mass at church, come home and enjoy a nice meal, and then finally get into the gifts. Because 4:00 is a popular time for church we have to leave an hour early to get there. For the most part Maggie did a great job sitting for over 2 and a half hours. I was amazed at how well she did. Yes, we did have to leave a few times, but overall she did great. It was fun having her be around all of her cousins. Everyone looked so cute. Caroline and Kate had pretty matching outfits, and Max looked sharp.

We ate a yummy spaghetti supper and then it was time. Yes, time to hit the gifts. Jack's family did an amazing job getting gifts for Maggie. Everything really fits her well. She got lots of blocks, a sand and water table, a baby doll and a tub of Lego's. I know she is so excited to play with everything! Overall, we had a great visit. Maggie was asleep for the end of the night visit, but it was so fun watching everyone enjoy all of their gifts. We had such a great time.

Here is Nana getting ready to open her IPOD Touch! She was really excited about it!


Here is Jack, Maggie and I enjoying our 2nd Christmas together!


We woke up early Christmas morning ready to drive back to Dallas. We ended up staying a little longer in Houston not sure of the road situation. It never snowed or iced in Houston, so we were not sure what we would drive home into. We ate our breakfast and finally said our good byes. We made our way home with very little traffic and no ice at all. Had we not gotten home to see snow at our house and ice in our driveway I wouldn't have believed the weather reports! It was very pretty.

We headed out to round two of Christmas. We spent this part with my dad's side of the family. It was lots of fun, but Maggie was miserable. She hadn't pooped in over 48 hours, so her belly really hurt. We were on a mission to make her feel better. After a few hours we finally were starting to get somewhere. It has taken a few days after Christmas, but we are finally back to our normal self again.

So Christmas at my dads house consist of hanging out, opening kids gifts, a visit from Santa, eating lots of food, and a White Elephant gift exchange.

Here is a picture of all of the Cousins when Santa comes to visit. Take a look at the kid who is so unhappy! Yes, that is Maggie!!! She officially doesn't like Santa.


Here is our annual group shot. We have one from Jack's family as well, but I don't have that copy on my camera.


Here is a little picture of our White Elephant gift exchange. I made out with a signed copy of the Glee CD! I am so excited.



We didn't do "Santa" gifts for Maggie this year. With traveling it was to hard to put it all in the car and tote it with us. We did get her a phone, a purse, and a car! She is already growing up! She sounds as if she is 16 this year with her gifts! I will have to post pictures, but she already chats on the phone and won't get out of her car. It is so fun to watch. I just can't wait for future Christmas's when she really starts to understand what is happening.


On Saturday my mom came over and we continued to celebrate. We went and saw It's Complicated (best movie ever,) had lunch, and opened up more gifts. My mom did a great job in really getting gifts for Maggie. I just can't believe everything that she got.

Overall, Christmas was a success. We had lots of fun. I just can't wait to see my little over the next few years enjoy Christmas! I hope everyone had as much fun if not more than we did!

Merry Christmas!!!

DAY 2 AND 3 OF MOM'S BREAK

Tuesday and Wednesday were pretty productive days. Maggie and I met up with some old school friends and had a yummy lunch. Maggie did very well through lunch, then a bunch of errands. We came home Tuesday after8 we were done all prepared to take a nap, and the poop fairy struck. Needless to say, no nap was in her future. She did great though, and really didn't make a fuss. I just hope we are not getting off of the two nap schedule. I want to hold on to that as long as I can!!! Wishful thinking I know.

Wednesday brought about a new day. Daddy was off, and I was off to celebrate my brothers birthday. As many of you know I lost my brother in April of 2006. It was a very tragic dirt bike accident and things just haven't been the same. Allen was a very successful landscaper known around this area and he left behind two little boys, a wife, and a very sad family. It is really hard to believe that it has been 3 years and that we would have celebrated his 37 birthday. Instead, we celebrated sitting at his grave and telling stories about him. Everyday my heart hurts more and more. I don't know if it is that I am scared of death, or that I am sad that we don't know his little boys. Drake and Dirk are two special little kids who have grown into kids that I don't know. Now, I am partly at fault for that, but there is another big obstacle that stands in the way. I just hope for life's sake, we can some how work it out and really start to get to know Drake and Dirk. Seeing them on Christmas day just made my heart melt. They are big, rough little boys, and very sweet. Any how, it was a nice day with my two sisters as we sat and laughed and cried. Allen will forever be that brother that always got us into some kind of trouble. I will for now hold onto the memories that he left me with. I will also hold on to the glass shelves that he gave me for my 28 birthday. (Weird present, I know!) Any how, Happy Birthday Allen! You will forever be in our hearts and our minds. We love you!!!

Allen and Aly -

Drake and Dirk - Christmas 09


After my sisters and I finished up visiting Allen, Jack, Maggie and I headed out the door for Houston. It was a very rough trip. Lets just say it stormed from the time we hit Corsicanna to the time we hit Huntsville. Jack did an amazing job driving, and we made it to Houston safely to start our Christmas festivities.

DAY 1 OF MOMMY'S BREAK!

Maggie went to have her picture made with Santa tonight. Let’s just say she was not a fan of Santa. We did our annual cousin picture, and then I was going to have Maggie by herself. After the traumatic experience of the cousin picture, I wasn’t even going to try an individual picture. In Maggie’s defense, we had met my friends in South Lake today to do a little shopping. She only had two 30 minute naps. I am going to go with that is why she didn’t do so well. Anyhow, I think the picture turned out okay. We took a ton, so this is the better of the four. We have lots to do this week, and can’t wait to celebrate Maggie’s 2nd Christmas! Happy Holidays!