MAJOR Snow Day in Texas

Last week we experienced record breaking (literally!) amounts of snow in one day. It was so beautiful and we all got out and enjoyed the experience. What a nice "test run" for our upcoming trip to Utah with the Keiser family.

Enjoy a few pics from the day!

Peyton couldn't decide whether she wanted to throw or eat the snowballs she made. Most of the time she opted for eating them. Yummy!

I was amazed.... Although it was very cold and at times their faces were bright red, they never complained or wanted to come inside. And, no, I couldn't get Tate in a heavier coat. He opted for a sweatshirt that just soaked in the water. Argh - boys!

When Erik got home they went back outside and built a snowman and "Texas-size" snowball. Check it out!

Here's a shot of the outside of our house. I am not quite sure when/if we'll ever see snow like this again. I do think it looks beautiful but am glad it melted away as quickly as it came. Yes, I'm a Texas girl who likes the warmer weather although I do have to admit it's nice to see some of the other seasons every now and then.

Second Annual Pig Roast - Berry Style!

Please don't anyone turn us in to our homeowner's association but Erik and Paul have started another annual event. Any excuse for those boys to host a party.... So, Super Bowl Sunday came along AGAIN without the Cowboys participating (we're getting closer!) but don't think that caused any delay in the pig pit making another appearance in our back yard (shhhhh!). And let me tell you the weather wasn't the finest to be hosting this event either. In fact, after the rain stopped we had up to 8 inches of snow dumped into our area (those pictures are to be posted shortly) so let's just say that the pig pit is still in our backyard. Enough about that though.... :>)

This year the guys brought in an expert helper - the cutest little blonde girl all decked out in her pajamas, rain boots and big pink fluffy coat (as she calls it) showed up to partake in the festivities. Yes, the best part for me (other than the pig meat - of course) was watching Peyton attach herself to her daddy and Uncle Paul and assist in the roasting of "her pig". I'm just a little concerned that she's turning into a party lover herself and may be requesting her own annual events in the near future.

The food was fabulous and a great evening was had with old and new friends. I have to say I would personally have liked the Colts to win but the game was good and the Saints played their hearts out. And...another photo for the picture books was born - Drew Brees and his son. Loved that photo on SI and all over the tv!

So, here's to another great Berry Pig Roast. And, come on Cowboys, we need a Pig Roast where we can all root on America's Team!

Ring in the New Year with Swim Lessons

So the time has come to get blondie (a.k.a. - Peyton) swimming... I'm not sure whether she was more excited about getting in the pool and swimming or the new outfit which not only consisted of a bathing suit (with a skirt she could twirl) and cover up but her favorite, the goggles. She's a mess but is "cautiously" working her way through the lessons on a weekly basis.

<=== Wow...does anyone else just see "hair" in this picture?

Hmmm....think we may be wasting our money with the lessons.? How is being carried around and floating on a raft teaching one to swim? Let's all say it together.... PRINCESS!

Trying to Make a Difference

For Christmas this year, our church (FMUMC) headed out to the Rocky Pointe community here in Flower Mound to cook and deliver a fajita dinner. I know...not a traditional Christmas meal but by this time isn't everyone tired of ham, turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie, the ole family fruit cake, blah, blah, blah? I'm not a big fan in the first place so a fajita dinner would hit the spot!

We love doing things like this as a family and I hope that our kids understand and never forget how blessed they truly are.

So, here are a few pictures of the kids spreading a little bit of, what we hope is, Christmas joy!

And...I just noticed. I did get a picture of the Texas White Christmas of 2009. Look real close ...it's in background but it's there!

Christmas with the Keiser Cousins

We failed miserably when it came to taking pictures this year and I'm now kicking myself... and Erik and the rest of the Keiser's out there! We had my family in town, mother nature delivered a white Christmas for the first time since 192..something and NOTHING. Not one photo of the snow, of the great presents delivered by Santa, or of the bad hair we were all sporting Christmas morning....grrr.

All I've got is this fabulous picture of the Keiser cousins at church on Christmas Eve. So, for me, this one is PRICELESS!

Tate's first hunting experience....he LOVED it!

Yikes! Not growing up in a hunting family this is all new territory to me and makes me a bit nervous. Ok...it makes me REAL nervous! Guns, open land, early mornings, no sunlight, lots of fog, more guns and a bunch of camo....

I do have to be honest though.... There was one hunting experience that I remember as a kid where my brother headed out (oh he is going to kill me for this one!) to gather the food for the family. Let me remind you, we grew up "in the country" (if any of my current friends are reading - it's true I'm a country girl!) and behind our five acres there was a bird, game preserve (i think that's what it is called). As my brother and his friend headed out in my dad's pickup one day (it took them a while) they loaded up their guns, boom box, cooler full of snacks and lawn chairs. Remember...this is a true story! City slickers headed out on a hunt.... Now, my memory is fading quickly so I'm not sure what they returned with - if anything. Now do you understand my initial fear and concern (as the previous experience was my only point of reference to hunting) when Erik says he is taking my PRECIOUS (almost) 8 year old out to hunt.

Tate was so excited and had been requesting to go with Erik for some time. So, mom HAD to get on board and give the final "ok". This did not come without much prayer! Thank goodness for my husband and his brother and their reassurance that they would be extremely safe, although, as you can tell by one of the pictures, they did "lose" his shoes somewhere along the way. Guess a little frost bite never hurt anyone.....he doesn't need those toes! Oh, and check out my nephew's extremely "manly" (and warm!) Converse hunting shoes. Nice.... I was told that the shoe attire was not what they were actually allowed to hunt in. The bare feet and converse shoes were only in existence for this photo.

I do LOVE all these boys though and am extremely grateful that they have found something that they enjoy doing together. Now, if I could only get that little blonde girl in my house to love hunting too I'd be set for some quiet time! :>)

Note: In picture #1 and #2 below Tate was actually standing on ice. Not sure how that makes me feel but it is what it is. Supposedly, that's a sign of toughness in the world of hunting. Or so that's what they tell me....

Family (Kind of) Divided - Baylor vs. Texas

We have a bit of a conflict in our house when it comes to the Big 12 Conference. Erik and his family are DIE HARD University of Texas fans and I (for reasons other than athletics) chose to go to school at Baylor University. So, when it comes to sports we have a few problems and our kids are now having to choose (ha! "choose" - only in my dreams). Although I'd like to think that it's a decision, my kids at the ripe ages of 7 and 3 have chosen to be Longhorn fans. Poor Mom!

In spite of all of that and the fact that Texas' football team is ranked #3 in the nation this year (for now...it's not January yet!), we packed our bags and headed to Waco for the Baylor vs. Texas game. Tate joined us this year and kept telling everyone that he was going to cheer on both teams. He so loves his Mom because, believe me, this was only out of pure love and not due to his true feelings for the game/teams.

Upon arriving in Waco, we stopped at the Spirit Shop and purchased Tate a Bears jersey so that he could wear it along with his Longhorn eye black and helmet. Confusing, I know.... We headed to the pre-game festivities and he was a trooper still supporting that green and gold but with his blood starting to spill burnt orange. He contained his true feelings UNTIL the opening kickoff at which point both hands went straight up in the air as he proudly became the loudest, most obnoxious Longhorn fan with not only one hand displaying the hook 'em horns sign but TWO. He immediately looked at me and said "Sorry Mom!" How can you blame a kid when the score at half time is 40 to 0 Longhorns all the way. I will say, Baylor won the second half of the game 14 - 7 against the incoming Texas freshman (kidding...but Mack was playing the fourth string).

None of that mattered to me at all because I got to spend the day with my two favorite boys doing one of my favorite things....watching football on a gorgeous Texas day. The only thing that could have made that day any better would have been if Peyton could have been there. She's still a bit too young to make it through an entire game. And..., ok, a Baylor victory would be nice too but (to keep peace in the family) I'll wish for that during a season that doesn't have National Championship implications.

I'm already looking forward to next year's game when the Bears (with a healthy Robert Griffin) head into Austin to take on the Longhorns (and, hopefully, the 2010 National Champions). Good times ahead!

The family minus "Sister" (a.k.a. Peyton). We missed you P!

Aikman's End Zone - Love it!

One of Tate's friends landed himself in Children's Hospital after a fall that lacerated his kidney. He ended up being just fine - thank God - but we headed to the hospital for a little visit. The floor he was on is supported by the Troy Aikman Foundation and for any of you who know me at all you know I have a "thing" for Aikman (no offense Erik...i love YOU!). I was in heaven when I stepped off of the elevator and found myself in a sea of Aikman memorabilia. He and his things were everywhere. I used Tate as my excuse to get several pictures as I didn't think we'd get quite as many stares if he was part of the pictures. Tate finally got tired of my... "Hey Tate look at this....Tate did you see this jersey.....Tate just one more picture - please" and said quite sharply "Mom, let's go!" as he was on the elevator pushing the down button leaving with or without me.

So, if there are any other Aikman fans out there enjoy these few photos.

In all seriousness though, it was a pure joy seeing the works of a charitable foundation that obviously cares for people - especially children. I truly applaud their efforts!