Thanksgiving 2010

The holiday was different this year without the Hodge family and the Hollon’s.  We really missed them!  The Hodges’ were at DisneyWorld and the Hollon’s spent the holiday in Lubbock with family.  We were supposed to go to Austin, but ended up staying in College Station.  My mother came for  the day and the Alexander family was here as well.  I didn’t take many photos of our Thanksgiving….I was too busy cooking and serving!  I did take some photos of the Alexander family and Shauna took a few of Steve and I.  I still need to gather Heather’s family for a photo shoot.  Following are some photos from Thanksgiving day.

Shauna, Mark, Kylie and Andrew Alexander:

 

Kylie and Andrew also brought their bikes to College Station this time and they spent hours riding around our neighborhood…..

 

 

…..and climbing trees.

And a couple photos of Steve and I:

 

We are so thankful for our marriage, our family and most of all our Savior.  I was singing “Count Your Blessings” to myself all weekend.  Now the countdown is on for the Christmas holiday.  My goal is to slow down and savor each moment, to ponder on the gift of Christ and to love more deeply than ever before.

I Love Shutterfly!

I order all my prints from Shutterfly…..literally several hundred each year as well as photo books.  I am so impressed with their quality as well as their service.  This year I can’t wait to get my last family photo session finished so that I can order my Christmas photo cards from Shutterfly.  Here are a couple that I have been drooling over:

I need a card with at least four photo openings and they have many more to choose from.  Each can be customized with your own greeting.

Shutterfly has so many more products and unique gift ideas.  With all the holiday parties coming up this month Shutterfly’s Christmas invites are great as well.  From whimsical and fun to very classy, the invites are beautiful.

  A photo calendar would be a thoughtful gift for someone on your Christmas list.  Another great way to share your family photos with those you love.

Go ahead, check out Shutterfly yourself and make some awesome stuff for Christmas!

The Granddogs Meet

Finally we let the granddogs meet and they got along fairly well.  We were boarding Diesel (the Miniature Schnauzer) and Kenzie (the Westie) was visiting.  They got in a little fight at first and then just co-existed in the same space.  We actually ended up switching them inside to outside most of the time.

 

They enjoyed the cooler weather we had over the Thanksgiving holiday.  They are pretty sweet dogs but we still are holding out on getting another dog of our own.

Happy Anniversary to Mark and Shauna

Sweet James at Two Months

I had photos of hand chewing, tummy time, smiling, playmat gazing and bumbo sitting, but these deep blue eyes captured my heart.  I enjoyed my time last week with James.  Can’t believe he is already two months old (sorry about the shots little one).  Hope to see you again before Christmas.

Happy Birthday to Jan Crouse

Since we have more than one Jan in our extended family, I needed to clarify which Jan is having a birthday.

My favorite picture of Jan and I.  Jan is so much fun to be around.  I appreciate the hospitality you have shown to Steve and his friends during their annual pheasant hunt and trip to Kansas.  Hope you have a great birthday….we send our love to you!

On Any Give Wednesday

Just something I want to remember in the years to come.  I have become pretty accustomed to boys and their rowdy play, which is a switch from having all daughters!  Following is the scene in our family room on any given Wednesday afternoon….usually a football game with Ty vs Nathan. 

Hike….and then the free-for-all tackling.

Ty usually wins, but Nathan can surprisingly hold his own despite being younger and smaller.  Only occasional crying and LOTS of laughing and fun.

Cousin Time

The cousins don’t all get together really often so of course I had to catch some photos of the kids when James and the Alexander kids were in College Station.

The older cousins:

And a photo with the newest cousin:

It was really tough getting them to all look and smile at the same time!

Smiley Boy

Here’s a couple pics of James at nearly 7 weeks. 

He is quite a smiley little guy.

Happy 10th Anniversary to Kevin and Heather

TAMU 33 – OU 19

This photo says it all.

Steve and I had a great time at the football game.  It was such a fun game to watch and so much fun to be there.

The Wrecking Crew defense is back after about a 10 year absence.

Our Little Pumpkin

Hey!

 

What’s Up?

 

James Here…

I’ve been just hanging out here at home relaxin’…

Thinking about a few things….

Come a little closer……there’s something I want to ask you….

I’ve heard that my milk might have a sweet taste soon….mmmm

I am so excited just thinking about it….

I’m happy about this Halloween thing!

 

Seriously…hope you had a great Halloween

Love, Mommy’s Little Pumpkin…(aka James Hollon)