Gilmer State Play-Off Game

12.21.12

The Buckeyes are playing at Cowboys Stadium this Friday afternoon at 4pm in hopes of winning the final play-off game of the season.  They had a pretty tough schedule this year but lo and behold this young team has made it all the way to the top.  I can't imagine what this team will look like over the next 2-3 years.

Daddy took off work early today, drove to Gilmer to pick us up then we made the trip to Dallas and of course, Beck and Kinsey fell fast asleep.  Yes, we are supporting the Buckeyes by wearing orange and black.

Between bathroom breaks, finding a place to park and getting in the stadium, we finally made it after the game had started.  Luckily, we arrived just in time to see the Buckeyes score a field goal which is the only time the team scored the entire game.  The opposing team, Navasota, is ranked 10th in the state and unfortunately, they kicked Gilmer's booty.

Brent and I toured the stadium a couple of years ago so we knew what to expect.  Seeing the cheerleaders and the drill team on the giant screen made me think of how lucky these girls are to be able to perform in a stadium of this size.  This is a once in a lifetime opportunity!

Uncle Brian, Aunt Katherine, Ava and Lola joined us at the game and the kids sure enjoyed the entire experience and they especially loved the treats!  Kiki and Pops sat in the section next to us with Uncle Kerry, Vickie and Jackson.

I walked down to where the drill team was sitting and took a picture for the Facebook page.

The half time show was really fun to watch.

We tried to leave the game before it ended because it was too painful to watch but we ran into a few people we knew such as Brent's high school friend, Sam.  And, we took a few pictures in front of the beautiful Christmas tree.

Brian and Katherine had to pick up Otto but the rest of us ate dinner at Trail Dust Steak House.  They had a live band, a good size dance floor and a two story slide for the kids.  After we ate dinner, the kids and Kiki cut the rug.  Yeehaw!

Jackson, Beck and Kinsey LOVED the slide!!!

We stayed at the Sheraton next to the Galleria mall and this is a picture of the kids trying to escape!

This has been such a fun and exciting day!  We are making the most of our trip to Dallas and plan on seeing the big Christmas tree at the mall tomorrow.  Only 4 days til Christmas!

A Christmas Party at the Library and Kinsey's First Dance Recital

After Kinsey woke up from her nap, we went to story time and the librarians set up the craft tables for a festive Christmas party for the kids.  And to my surprise, my high school friend, Tiffany, showed up with her girls.  She usually goes to story time in the morning but she told me her girls wanted to give Beck and Kinsey a candy bar for Christmas.  They are so sweet!

We went home to eat dinner and get ready for Kinsey's very first dance recital at the Civic Center.  After we arrived, we grabbed some seats then I took her backstage and she hung on to me like a leech!  I was so worried that she would not go onstage but her teacher said, "Follow me" and the next thing I know is Kinsey walking with her class to get ready for their big performance.  Wow!  I'm so excited and nervous at the same time!

Kinsey's class is the second group to perform a ballet routine to Silent Night then the music switches to a fast paced beat.  The girls walk out onstage...

Kinsey's dance teacher is standing on the side of the stage showing the girls the steps since this is their first time on a big stage and Kinsey is doing almost all of the moves.  However, her bow keeps flopping around and she adjusts it a few times.

I know Kinsey was happy to have Kiki and Pops there to watch her perform and we are all so very proud of her!!!  I can't wait to see her next dance recital which is in May.  You did a great job Kinsey Girl! 

 

Today was a very busy day for our family...Beck's nativity play, a party at the library and a dance recital.  As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, my heart has been heavy lately for a dear friend of mine that has recently discovered that her 8-month old baby boy has a very rare cancer and may have to start chemo treatments soon.  I pray that God watches over them and gives them the strength they need to get through this very difficult time.  It also makes me appreciate the many blessings I have in my life.  I love my family very, very much!  

Beck's Nativity Play

12.20.12

Today is going to be a very busy day for us!  Let's start with the Nativity play at Beck's school at 10:30am.  The stage was beautifully decorated and the kids entered the front doors of the gym then walked up the center isle except for the kids dressed up as animals; they crawled to the stage such as the donkey, camels and lambs.  That was a sight to see!

Beck is a lucky boy because he had lots of family support.  Daddy, Kiki, Neena, Kinsey and myself were all there to watch his big performance as one of the wise men.  He fit the part perfectly!  He walked on the stage and went to his spot then he realized he forgot to put his present down next to baby Jesus.  Thankfully, he walked over there and put it down without making a big scene.  They all sang eight songs and a few kids had small speaking parts.  The performance was about 30 minutes long and I enjoyed every minute of it!  I videoed most of it!  They have worked so hard the last month perfecting every little detail.  Daddy and I are so proud of you Beck Lee!

As the kids changed clothes, I took pictures of his artwork that was displayed and I love his list of things he wants from Santa.  I am shocked that Mrs. Mason understood him when he told her he wanted Boulder.  I had to let her know that Boulder is a Transformer Rescue Bot.  The picture of Beck and Santa was taken at the First National Bank after they sang.  I especially love the angel made out of his hand print....so sweet!

We all gave Beck a big hug after he got dressed back into his clothes.  Then, we enjoyed punch and cookies. 

I asked Neena to take a picture of me with Beck and Kinsey then I took one of her with the kids.  What a great way to start our day!!!  Only 5 more days til Christmas!!!

Kinsey is 2.5 Years Old

12.18.12

Kinsey is 2.5 years old today!!!  She weighs about 38 pounds and is 3' 3" according to my height chart.  She climbs out of her crib when she wakes up from her nap and runs in the living room to cuddle with me while she wakes up.  She also wakes up in the middle of the night, climbs out of her crib then climbs into bed with me.  She usually does this quietly but there are a few times she wakes up screaming which makes my heart race because it scares me.  Since last week, I've been letting Beck and Kinsey sleep together in hopes of making an easy transition when we move and to avoid the nightly wakings.  Their bedrooms will be upstairs and I hope that they comfort each other instead of waking up alone in their room.  I'm trying to avoid both of them going downstairs to get in bed with mommy and daddy.  I'm not sure if this is the best plan but it's worth a shot, right? 

She loves her brother so much and wants to do everything he does.  She will give him hugs and kisses but she will also hit him if he's mean to her. She's going to be a tough little girl.

She also tells me that her legs are broken when she doesn't want to walk and that her tummy hurts when she doesn't want to eat.

She loves to wear her dress up shoes and my high heels.  She also loves lip gloss, Minnie Mouse, Dora the Explorer, Barney and princess movies/stories.

Christmas will be so much fun this year because there are things that she really wants and she understands how to unwrap a gift.  Only 7 days til Christmas!!!

Church Christmas Party

12.15.12

We showed up 30 minutes late to the church Christmas party because I thought it started at 6:30pm.  I made a giant pot of mac n cheese so we had lots of left overs since everybody had already eaten.  What's funny is the Potters thought the same thing and they brought a big plate of deviled eggs.  It was slim pickings too when we went through the line to make our plate.

We enjoyed the show that some church members performed.  There were singers such as my drill team buddy, Tiffany and her family and my friend Trish sang a song then we witnessed a story of the birth of Jesus Christ.  My other friend, Karen, played the part of Mary and she was able to use her own baby and he did a great job!  He never cried...he's a natural actor. 

Only 9 days til Christmas!!!

Potter Christmas Party

12.14.12

We have been invited to an adult only Christmas party at Michael and Karen Potter's house and the kids are spending time with Kiki and Pops.  Karen had shredded bbq chicken burgers, chips, macaroni salad, wings and she made a chocolate cream pie.  I brought banana pudding.  It was a fun evening getting to know a few other couples from church.

We really got to learn about each other by playing the Newlywed Game!  Brent and I won and got a giant chocolate bar and a box of chocolate covered cherries (my favorite!).

I can't wait to have these type of gatherings at our casa!!! 

Santa at Story Time

12.13.12

Today was wear all green today at Beck's school as they have been talking about the Grinch all week.  At story time at the library, the kids had a surprise visit from Santa.  Kinsey did not want to get near him but we did manage to talk her into standing next to Beck.

They love looking at the decorations at the library.

Only 12 days til Christmas!!!

Santa Land

12.12.12

Santa Land has been around for 17 years and this is my very first time to visit this place.  The cost is $25/car or $12/person for the hayride.  It seems like the price goes up each year and I've heard they add stuff each year. The new thing this year is they have lights coordinated with music.  I've also heard that the wait to get inside could be two hours or more if you go on the weekends.  Luckily, we did not have to wait since it's the middle of the week.  The line was a little long when we left but not bad at all.  Kinsey decided to not take a nap this afternoon but I wasn't too worried since I knew we would drive to Lindale.  We visited Aunt Virginia for a little bit and took her some cranberry nut bread for her family then we took off to Lindale.  Beck and Kinsey slept all the way there and I drove around to let them sleep more.  We ate dinner at McDonald's while we waited for Daddy to meet us.

The kids really enjoyed it but Beck said they need more blow-ups.  This kid loves blow-ups!  This place had three dancing blow-ups and that was Beck's favorite thing.

We went inside of the gift shop and saw some really unique things such as fake snow that felt cold.  Beck and Kinsey had so much fun playing with this stuff.

And, we saw a tree covered with so much stuff that you couldn't see any tree branches but I really liked the Santa sleigh flying on top.

Then, we walked to another building to see Santa but did not sit in his lap.

That was a fun Wednesday evening!  Beck and Kinsey did what they love best and played freeze out on the way home.  Daddy followed us and said he could see tiny hands and feet sticking out of the windows.  Good times my friends, good times!