Snow in Texas!!! No, really!!!

For those who followed the national weather during the end of December, 2009, you noticed that Texas experienced a blizzard right before Christmas. Well, we didn't believe it at all - this was yet another lie by the vast Media-driven Weather Conspiracy...but when we got back, we actually SAW the snow! It was beautiful!!!

Front Yard

Back yard

Of course, it was all melted by the next morning...

Christmas in Ohio

This Christmas, Buzz was a-twitter with anticipation at the thought of driving along snow-encrusted fields on the way to Ohio. Of course, there was absolutely NO SNOW the entire trip up...but Texas got to experience a once-in-a-lifetime blizzard! However, despite the inherent injustice of it all, we had a wonderful time. The trip up was a bit difficult, as the long drive had a negative impact on a pregnant wife, compounding the already present aches and pains. To complicate matters, we had not yet told Buzz's family that we were pregnant, wanting to wait until everyone was together at dinner the day after we arrived to tell them, which meant finding alternate explanations for the subtle moans and the inability to get out of cars and chairs... Finally, though, everyone was told, and everyone was very happy for us.

Christmas was celebrated at Buzz's sister's house around 2:30 pm, which left a lot of time to relax. We started the day with a leisurely breakfast, then picked up Buzz's grandmother for lunch, before finally heading over to celebrate with the whole gang. Highlights included the Rice Krispie Christmas Tree, the game Mouse Trap, the oldest nephew getting enough Christmas cash to buy his own iTouch, Grandma's new cape, and Mom getting a special gift from her daughter - Buzz's Dad's purple heart citation and medal, mounted for display. Following gifts, we had a tasty turkey dinner, and musical accompaniment during clean-up - Buzz's nephew played the piano, while folks in the kitchen sang songs known and unknown. Following church on Sunday, everyone went out to lunch, taking a final opportunity for a well-dressed group picture.

Dad's Purple Heart

Grandma and Mom get matching microwaveable rice bags!

Getting ready for the turkey.

The very popular Rice Krispie Christmas Tree

What a beautiful group!

Believe it or not, there was finally snow! The night before we left, we finally got the long-awaited northern snow! Not enough to cause travel problems, but enough for Buzz's Christmas wish to come true! All in all, it was a very merry Christmas.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Christmas in Texas

We spent our Christmas with HBS’s family the weekend before, as we were traveling up to Ohio to spend the actual day with Buzz’s family. On Saturday, we had a wonderful festive Mexican meal with Mom, including tamales, enchiladas, two “heat levels” of Buzz’s homemade salsa, and individual fruit pizzas for dessert. All in all, the num-nums were very tasty! After the feast, we exchanged gifts per the Secret Santa drawing we had at Thanksgiving. Mom then provided some very special gifts for the family. First, she gave each child a framed outdoor scenery picture she had taken – we are all in agreement that her photography skills are professional! Next, Buzz and HBS received a few baby-oriented gifts – a blanket, and a humorous book about “unwanted advice” we will get during the pregnancy. Finally - and no doubt the most popular gift of the evening – all the boys received Nerf dart guns…which then deteriorated into a Nerf war of epic proportions…until one of the dogs got so excited, he tinkled right in the middle of the action.

The joy of giving and receiving!

Mom's beautiful picture

A Christmas wish fulfilled - she wanted a pink gun...!

The next morning, we shared a special brunch that Melanie prepared, then headed back to our house for further Christmas celebrations with Dad. He brought over barbecue brisket, sausage, and turkey, and all the trimmings. He was rewarded with Cowboys gear! We exchanged more presents, chatted, and watched some football, and soon everyone realized how tired we all were! We said our goodbyes, and HBS and Buzz packed up the car for the trip north!

Kitty lasted quite a while with many people around...

Cowboys gear for the Cowboys #1 Fan!

The whole gang experiencing Christmas joy

End of the Year News

Soon enough, the bunny will be replaced with a real live BABY!!! Due June 19 - we are exceedingly happy and excited! No plans on replacing the bib, though...

Nativity Pageant and Birthday Celebration

In the beginning of December, hours of practice and preparation came together in a glorious cacophony of Christmas joy and celebration - we participated in our church's Nativity Pageant! It is a live action telling of the story of the birth of Jesus that has been going on for over 10 years. HBS thrilled the audience by starring in the role of Mary, while Buzz performed the lesser known role of Head Priest (one of the narrators). It was an enjoyable but exhausting experience, performed in near-freezing weather over the course of two days. HBS even got to ride a real live donkey!

Mary and the High Priest - with several layers for warmth!

Later in the month, we celebrated the birthdays of HBS and her sister. Many wonderful gifts were given, and tasty num-nums were devoured at a nice Italian restaurant. The gift that has gone over the best has to be the Snuggie-type blanket that has helped HBS fight off the unusually low temperatures as we prepare for the Christmas season.

Receiving of the gift...

Such a beautiful model!

More to come once we are through to the new year - until then, Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

November Update

Boy, howdy! The month of November seemed to fly by! Buzz was called away for a couple weeks during the month to go work in Florida - again, we aren't sure how much "work" is done... Then it was time to get the house ready for Thanksgiving. We had the back door replaced - the last home improvement project associated with the new siding - and once a new sewing machine was purchased, (Happy Birthday / Merry Christmas to HBS!) curtains were hung on the door window! After a fun- and family-filled Thanksgiving, we got out the Christmas decorations and trimmed the tree. Looks like we are now ready for more rockin' good times in December!

The most beautiful back door EVER!

Tasty Thanksgiving Turkey Treats!

The entire Thanksgiving clan

Such a beautiful tree!

Kitty has reclaimed her hiding place from last year...