CHEERS TO A NEW YEAR AND AN OLD JOB!

A Cake for Dad's Retirement/New Year's Eve Party (which we weren't invited to - what's up with that?)

AND THE BROOKIE BLURBS CONTINUE...

Brooklyn told me that she "didn't feel good (as she hung her head down and dropped her arms by her side) - she had sneezy sneezes under her nose and needed to blow her 'novz' - and she needed to get a tissue." So dramatic at that.

Brooklyn kept telling Bailey "I don't understand with you" and Bailey didn't respond to her so she looks at me and said "I give up" - We were rolling.

She tells me all the time "that's a great idea mom" - usually when it was her idea to begin with.

Scott was having a tea party with her in her room and she had the table all set up and she looks at Scott and puts her finger on her chin and says "hmmm it's missing something"

Today she told me that "I made her heart super happy"

When we were at the Arboretum there were lots of hispanic teenage girls (must be some sort of tradition) dressed in very dressy dresses to take pictures and as we walked by Brooklyn stopped dead in her tracks and said "Look a Princess" - the whole group was giggling at how cute she was to say that. I guess that embarrassed her or hurt her feelings because she dropped her head and said "daddy they are laughing at me" - she didn't understand they were laughing with her not at her. It was kind of sad to know that she thought that, but so sweet all at the same time.

I LOVE the sweet funny things kids say - I wish I had been better at documenting the older kids I have a few but not nearly enough - thatnks to blogging it makes it easier and I want to remember her small personality FOREVER!

IT'S THE 26th AND CHRISTMAS STARTS ALL OVER

(even for Brooklyn - LUCKIES!)

The kids came home on the 26th so we invited Grandma and Grandpa to come share in the fun as they opened their gifts. Then we had the best Christmas dinner ever (in Kamdon's mind anyways) - Pizza, Wings and Mini Apple Pies from Pizza Hut! They got some good stuff - I think all were pleased - Santa did good this year.

Bailey knew her gift from Grandma as she gave specific instructions all the way down to saving the Capri Sun wrappers for months so Grandma could make her a large bag out of them and then she was to put her Chi hair straightener in the bag - she had it all planned out. A week was a long time for Kamdon to be away from Brookie - he sure did miss her.

Jessica and Hannah Montana...Kamdon's mascot at school is the bulldog and since he is on the golf team what better golf club cover to go on those new clubs?...hugs for mom

Pet Shop puppies - her favorite...Nice Shirt...Bailey got a purity ring (a promise she will wait for marriage) - it's a silver sunflower with a pink diamond in the center that says "love waits" down the sides

Bailey got her computer and a docking station for her Ipod - this may be the last time we see her...Kamdon asked for a new pitching wedge - little did he know he was going to get the rest of the clubs and the bag to go with it...the ONLY messy toy we have ever bought - a mini sandbox with purple sand...Jessica with her stack

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

This year was a very quiet year as all of our kids were with their other parents except for Brooklyn and Blane. Also, Scott and Samantha were unable to come down due to the birth of Payton a few weeks ago. We went to Granbury Christmas Eve and spent the night at my mom and d ad's house just like we always do so we could get up first thing and have breakfast and open gifts. Brooklyn was very in to it this year - starting with her stocking - at first I think she thought all of the gifts were for her (although in the end she did have quite a stack). Everything was very nice and of course Scott did good as usual in the Santa department.

Thanks Babe!

AND THAT'S ALOT OF GIFTS!

(result of a very big family)

Spencer............................................Brooklyn

Brookie (she was sneaking all the gumdrops)...Spencer with my cake Bear's hat...Mom and Dad...Elf Sized!

Look at that face...Samuel....Brookie and her Daddy!

Presley and Cheer Bear...Twinkies...Sydney

Mommy, Blane and Brooke....funny face...Santa Sydney...Posing!

Scott and Blane...Dason and Tiffany...Rick and Julie...Love my Grampsie

Brad,Carrie,Presley and Sam...some cousin love...the Newlyweds Matt & Amy...Brooke

Look at that house...Spencer trying out his helicopter...Blane just waiting...Mark and Crew

I hope everyone had a Very Merry Christmas and remembered the reason for the season!

WHAT WOULD CHRISTMAS BE WITHOUT - CAKES?

A FULL DAY OF FUN...

Scott played hookie from work today and we packed it in. We started the day out running a few errands - then started towards North Park Mall to see the train exhibit - little did we know ALL of Dallas was going to be there too. So we wandered the mall had lunch at Corner Bakery and said No to the trains - line way too long - and headed back. We decided to go see Twilight at the movies (Scott hadn't seen it and wanted to see what all the hype was about). The first time I saw it was before I read the book and absolutely loved it - this time I realized after reading the book how much the movie was actually missing - but still loved it the second time. From there we came home and that's where the fun began - we started baking gingerbread man cookies, decorated our gingerbread house, made banana bread, and made my cakes for my Santa that I will be decorating tomorrow - WOW! - I almost feel domesticated - my family is going to freak out when I show up with all these goodies on Wednesday. scott was a trooper - he decorated all the cookies and they looked great and he was in charge of holding the house together while it dried. Brooklyn was in charge of placing candies where she wanted them and I was in charge of clean up - my favorite.

And we are done - The "Best" Gingerbread House EVER! as Brooklyn says.