Valentine's Day pictures

Since we didn't take Christmas pictures we decided to take Valentine's Day pictures. Of course Jackson didn't want to participate until the last few minutes of the session. Thanks to the magic of digital cameras he took pictures with his Spider-Man cap and Spider-Man sunglasses and Mommy even made a few cameos. I didn't have any make up on and had a very low maintenance hair style. Thank goodness they didn't include that in the slide show. I didn't want the whole mall seeing that one on the plasma screens. Just short of calling CPS on us, we did manage to get some cute pictures.

Six Flags

The first weekend of January we spent the day at Six Flags. We had received free tickets from Citi for Holiday in the Park for each ticket we bought back in November. It was a beautiful day and a great way to spend the last holiday weekend. The kids loved the spinning Texas tea cups.

We also had a fun time on the snow hill.

Where O' Where Has Jason Gone?

Two words - MLB Network. At 5 pm CST the MLB Network went live. Jason has been counting it down for a few weeks now. Now my life is complete - baseball all the time! As Jason says even vintage baseball is good baseball.

Houston Christmas

Friday morning we drove down to Houston to spend Christmas with Jason's family. We met his sister halfway as she was headed to Arlington. The kids were excited to see their cousins and of course, open some more presents.

Jackson got a Bat Cave or as it sometimes called, the Bat Castle

Here is Uncle James and Luke with his Lego set

Finally Jenna got her American Girl doll, Mia the ice skater

Aunt Wendy's Mom was so kind to make all four girls a matching dress for them and their American Girl dolls. Here is Rori and Jenna with their dolls. Aren't they cute?

Here is PaPa and Jackson trying to fix the Handy Manny radio.

Christmas Day

Christmas morning came a little earlier than I would have liked but the kids pitched a fit that we made them comb their hair before seeing what Santa brought them. Jackson got some Leapster stuff (since he now is the proud owner of Jenna's Leapster) and a Mickey Mouse camera.

Jenna got a DS and all the things to go with a DS. After she opened all the presents she asked where her American Girl was. I told her that she did tell Santa that she wanted the DS the most.

Jackson didn't care about anything that Santa left he just wanted his Diego DVD. Of course, Santa put the movie requests in the stockings.

For those of you wondering - yes, Jason finally got me the keychain that I have wanted since last Christmas - thanks Kim for making it!

We had a late lunch with my parents and my sister's family. After our meal the kids opened their presents.

Jackson got some Army men with all sorts of separate pieces from Aunt Dee Dee and Uncle Brad.

Jenna got the Kit Kittredge DVD and mini doll from G Mommy and Granddaddy.

Jason did finally get his Sham Wow! from Dee Ann and Brad. He spent the whole night looking for something to pick up with his Sham Wow!

Christmas Eve

For whatever reason my Mom and I found ourselves up early on Christmas morning doing some last minute Christmas shopping. The kids were at daycare for part of the day so that we could accomplish so much in a little amount of time. Within two hours we went to six stores and got Barney groomed. Then we headed to Grapevine Mills to meet my sister and her girls to watch "The Tale of Despereaux." Then we headed to Bass Pro to see Santa. Jackson didn't want to see Santa the first time so this was his last opportunity to tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas. Jenna wrote out her list and even did one for Jackson. Mrs. Claus was there to greet us.

Once it was our turn with Santa, Jackson wouldn't have any of it. Luckily Rylee and Reese were able to help him gain confidence to sit there.

We were able to snap a picture before Jackson realized it.

Jenna was about to walk away but she did tell Santa that she wanted a DS and an American Girl, but she really wanted the DS the most. Then we tested out the bows and guns. I must stay my little girl is a natural. Now if her Daddy would only let her shoot Bambi.

Jackson had a little too much power - he should probably never handle a bow.

Reese rocks at the gun.

Later that night the kids made Christmas cookies for Santa with my Dad. We put out the reindeer food that Aunt Carol sent.

And finally the milk and cookies for Santa.

San Angelo Christmas

We went to San Angelo for our annual Christmas lunch at my parents' house. All the cousins come over and we just sit and enjoy each other's company. This year Dad put a swing in the over 30 year old pecan tree. The kids (and even Aunt Carolyn) had a great time twisting and swinging. Here is Jenna on the swing.

After lunch we had the annual group pictures. Here are my Dad's siblings and their spouses. All eight are school teachers with a few still teaching.

My Dad's Aunt and Uncle - Maureen and L.D.

All the cousins - yes, the cousin pictures don't stop when you are grown. Left to right by age - Aunt Gladys, Dad, Earla, Uncle Jimmy, Judy and Uncle Clinton.

Our Family

This is the reason the kids weren't in the picture.

On Sunday we met up to take a picture of the family at church. Of course, we had some cranky and tired kids so this is the best picture.