Goodbye 2009!

I can hardly believe that 2009 is over. So many good things have happened this year. Brady turned 1 in February. My younger sister, Christina, announced that she was expecting her first baby in March. In April & May Ryan took his math and reading TAKS test and received a perfect score (total genius) and then he "graduated" to middle school.

The summer started, June was long and hot (gotta love Texas.) July started with a bang of course, Ryan's birthday, he turned 11. Still can't believe I have an eleven year old son. July ended with Ryan getting to go on vacation with Grandma Megan. This is his favorite part of the summer. He so enjoys getting to spend time with his Grandma.

August was a busy month for all of us. Ryan started middle school and his last year of peewee football. Jason and I decided to buy a house. We found the perfect house on August 10th and closed on Aug 31st.

We spent the month of September moving, unpacking, celebrating my birthday, football practice and games and getting into a school routine. That month flew by too fast.

I think October was pretty much the same thing. Football practice and games. I ran my first 5k. Texas beat OU, Tish took the boys to Owen's Farm pumpkin patch. Lets not forget Halloween, Ryan dressed as an army guy and Brady was Nemo.

I have to say that November by far was one of the best months of the year. My sweet nephew Adrian Lee was born. My BIL and sister turned another year older. Oh and I hosted my first Thanksgiving dinner (I was so thankful for my BIL for frying the turkey).

The last month of the year started off with snow, actual fluffy white snow. Ryan had his end of year football party.Ryan got a great short spiky haircut and we had a white Christmas for the first time in my life.

It has been an amazing year. I don't know what this new year will bring but I hope 2010 is just as good as 2009!

Leaving on a jet plane

After all the presents were opened, breakfast had been made and naps were taken, it was time for Ryan to get on an airplane to Tennessee. Ryan was very excited to go and see his father and step mom, but he did mention that he wished his Grandma Megan was there. So we got there in what I thought just enough time to check his bag and board the plane. As 3:30 approached, we were told that the flight attendants that were scheduled to serve this flight were grounded in Kansas City, KS (4 inches of snow had fallen) and they were trying to get another crew as fast as they could. Long story short flight was delayed. Which to be honest I was not sad about at all. It was just longer I got the stay with Ryan.

After they announced the flight would be delayed, we decided to go and get something to eat. So what does Ryan choose -McDonald's.

{Ryan enjoying his yummy Christmas dinner of cheeseburger and fries.}

After we ate, we just waited and waited in what seemed like forever

(sitting on the hard ground not fun.)

{Listening to his new IPod}

{He is so handsome}

{His plane is one in the middle}

Then it was time for him to board the plane and he was off to spend the rest of the holidays in Tennessee.

Merry Christmas

Hope everyone had a great Christmas. I know that I enjoyed everything about the day. In our house, we get up super early to open all the presents.

{That's 4:55 AM}

Ryan is normally hard to wake up, but when Jason mentioned opening presents he almost flew Down the stairs. Ryan took his place on the couch and was ready to open presents.

Ryan really raked it in this year, but He really deserved it.

{Ryan was so surprised about his gift}
{Jason was very excited about his new shoes too!}

{Jason helping Maverick open her present} That's right we also buy presents for our puppy Maverick.

{Doesn't she look pretty?}


After we opened all of the presents, it was time to have a traditional Christmas breakfast of pancakes and sausage. I have fixed this same breakfast every year, it's Ryan's favorite. Then it was time to pack up the rest of the family presents and head to my moms for to open presents. Ryan was very surprised with his gift that Nana & Pop-pop got him.

It took a second before he realized what it was. An IPod nano!!! He about passed out. Ha!

Ryan was one happy boy. You know who else was a happy boy Brady. Nana and Pop got him Toy Story action figures.

He loves Buzz and Woody}
I hoped everyone has a good day and got what they wanted. I think they did.

Merry Christmas!!!

White Christmas

This is what we woke up to on Christmas morning...

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas {Eve}

Guess what?!?


It's snowing again. I could not believe it when I looked outside and saw it coming down. This morning as I was leaving the gym I thought I felt it sleeting, but not even 30 minutes later it was snowing. Needless, to say that Ryan was beyond excited. Too bad it was 72 degrees yesterday, maybe some of it would stick. As I type this it is just a barely snowing.


{it had just started to come down}

{They were so excited that they didn't care how cold it was}

This has been the best present so far. I couldn't have asked for more.

What a difference a day makes

Yesterday he was running around thinking his long hair was super cool.

Then something made him change his mind. So today I took him to get a hair cut, on the way there he decided that he wanted to have a spiky hair do. I couldn't believe it. Ryan has never wanted (without being bribed) short spiky hair.

{Please excuse his expression, he is in middle of playing a game. He couldn't be disturbed. Ha!}

Anyway, I absolutely love his hair. This afternoon after he put gel in it, he looked so grown up.

O Christmas Tree...

Well, I'm finally getting around to posting pictures of our tree. We put it up the Friday after Thanksgiving. I think it's a 7 foot pre-lit tree. Pre-lit trees are the only way to go. Although I would love to have a real tree, I'm not sure Ryan's allergies could handle it. My Ryan is allergic to all things out doors. All types of trees, grass, and weeds. So a real tree is definitely out. This year is our first year in our new home and the first time we've had to decorate the whole tree. In years past we live in apartments and I would always put the tree in the corner so we only decorated the side you could see. So I was afraid we wouldn't have enough ornaments to go around, but we lucked out and had enough to decorate the tree.

{if you look close we even have a stocking for pet Maverick}

This is probably our 2nd favorite holiday, the first being 4th of July (for obvious reasons). Ryan loves to help decorating the tree, but I think he enjoys helping his Aunt Tish more. When Ryan starts putting the decoration on, I go behind him and rearrange them. You see I have this certain way I like to decorate the tree - all the bulbs have to be spaced evenly apart and no same color can be touching. Weird, I know, but that's how I am. So, Ryan enjoys going to Tish's and decorating anyway he wants. I'm so loving how pretty our tree look with all the presents under the tree. It looks even better now that we put up our new blinds.

End of year Football Party

On Dec. 1st Ryan had his end of year football party at CiCi's. Ryan was so excited about getting to hang out with all of his football buddies. The party was short and simple. The boys ate, then played a few games and were given their trophies. This was a special year for many reason. First and foremost this was the boys last year in the peewee league (Yay!) and secondly this year turned out to be one of the wettest and best season (3rd place). The 6th Grade American Webb Bears started out started out strong, faltering at times, but now matter the outcome of the game, those boys always played an exciting game.

As Coach Lee gave out the trophies he also had a few nice words to say about each player. He said: Michael was the heart of the team, always giving each play his all. Jake was dedicated, no matter sickness nor injury was going to stop him from coming to practice or playing in a game. Mo he was a pleasure coaching and watching him grow up. Ryan for the past 3 yrs he's watched him grow as a player and a leader on the team, especially this year. He stepped up to play center and always worked hard, sometimes only getting a few minutes to rest in between plays. He will do great if he continues to play football.

I'm sad to see the season end because I'm the typical football mom. I love the game, but most of all I love watching my Ryan having a good time, banging around on the football field.

Amazing computer!!!!!

HP Touchsmart 600 PC

I would so love to win this amazing computer. A couple of bloggers are each giving one away. I know that we need one at our house, it would be wonderful to finally have an updated computer. I know Ryan would enjoy it as well. He hope to win it :)

If you're interested in entering this giveaway, jump over to the following blogs and enter:

Kelly's Korner - visit Kelly's Korner Reviews

or

MckMama - My Charming Kids - visit her blog

It's Snowing!!!!

It was snowing this morning. The storm system that blanketed El Paso with snow made it's way to North Texas. Yay!!! I couldn't believe how big the snow flakes were as I was driving Ryan to his Nana's this morning. Ryan was so hoping for a snow day from school. I love it when it snows, it's just too bad that by the time we get home it will have all melted. Hopefully we will be blessed again with more snow later this month :)

Photos courtesy of WFAA.com/yournews

Happy Birthday Uncle Kevin!!!

Today day is my BIL's, Ryan's Uncle Kevin birthday!

He is the best brother-in-law I could have ever asked for, not to mention the best uncle Ryan could have asked for. I must say that my sister is one lucky lady to have found a man that can put up with not only one "crazy out of control" sister-in-law, but he can handle all 4 of his "OOC" SIL's. He's definitely a keeper.

Happy Birthday Kevin!!!

I hope you enjoy your birthday browines!!! LOL.

Random

I was just thinking how much I love these boys....

My Ryan, of course.

Brady - that's a good looking haircut.

My brother Michael - he's just a good kid.

Baby Adrian - Isn't he just perfect?

In fact they are all just perfect, even my sissy Kaitlyn. I don't have a picture of her because...Well because she is a teenager and she too busy. lol

Introducing....

I would like to introduce my newest nephew Adrian...

Born November 5th, 7lbs 12oz and 20 1/2 inches with blonde hair.

Look at those lips :) He is so stinkin' cute. I still can't believe that my baby sister is now a mommy. I'm so super proud of her, she's my hero. I can't wait to go visit him and take lots of pictures. And of course spoil him rotten.

Trick or Treat, treat, treat...

Ryan decided at the last minute that he did want to go trick or treating with his friends. We didn't have time to buy a costume so we just improvised. Ryan has all this old army gear that his dad had sent him a while ago, so he decided that he would paint his face and were the camo hat and backpack. Ryan also thought he was going to be slick (by stashing it in the backpack) & taking a replica gun to finish off the costume. But being the "a horrible mother, that totally sucks" (direct quote from Ryan) I made him hand it over. He still looked cute though.

While Ryan went with his friends, I decided that I was going to hang out at my Mom's house. I even got to hang out with my little brother, Michael. Hewas very entertaining. He had Tish and I laughing so hard. I must say that as Michael gets older, the funnier he becomes. Plus he's a really good kid and Brady loves him.

He loves his Uncle Mic!

Didn't he make the cutest clown fish.

Well I hope everyone had a great Halloween, I know we did.

Weekend in Rewind

We had a somewhat busy weekend. Friday night my little brother stayed the night with us. So while Ryan was at football practice, Michael and I went grocery shopping, which was definitely needed. We were out of everything :) I must confess that I enjoy when Michael comes over to eat, he always tell me how delicious, whatever I made, was. He's such a charmer! Anyway the boys had a good evening.

The next day Ryan was gearing up for a friend Cameron's birthday party. He was so excited about hanging out with his buddies from football. Sunday morning I went to pick him up and you wouldn't believe what all can happen at a 12 yrs old party. Well first of all there were 15 boys, you can only imagine the shenanigans that happened with 15 boys. So to make a long story short: they ate pizza, & went to the movies. They stayed up way too late waiting for the first person to fall asleep. Can you guess how this story ends? Well if you guessed that Ryan was the first one asleep and woke up with a hair full of shaving cream, then you were right. Poor kid normally has trouble falling asleep, but not that day. Even though he didn't have a sense of humor about the shaving cream prank , he did have a good time hanging out with all of his buddies.

Just as a footnote, this past Saturday we had beautiful weather, then yesterday is was cloudy and cooler and today this is what it's like.

Raining and miserable and cold

Hopefully the rain moves out before tomorrow or Ryan will be playing in the mud again.

I hope everyone has a great week :)

Reasons why I'm smiling today...

I've seen this on numerous blogs I read and I thought it would be a great way to end my week and start my weekend...

1. I'm smiling because Ryan and I were able to get out of the house early enough this morning to go to the donut store: 1 chocolate covered sprinkle, 1 vanilla covered sprinkle and 12 donut holes (6 regular and 6 chocolate covered).

2. I'm smiling today because I realized today that my nephew Adrian's due date is less than 2 weeks. Yay!

3. I'm smiling today because of how truly blessed I am to have a great family and friends. I can't express how lucky I am to have a strong relationship with my mom and sisters and brother. They are the best!

4. I'm smiling today because the sun is shining. After weeks of rainy weather it feels good to have the sun shining on my face.

5. I'm smiling today because after football practice & the gym I'm taking "my guys" out to dinner. Man I love Friday family nights.

I hope everyone has a great weekend.

2 boys and a pumpkin patch

On Saturday, my sister and BIL were wonderful enough to take Ryan along to Owen's Fram and Pumpkin patch, while I went to watch the Texas/OU game. Tish said that Ryan and Brady has the best time. They got to feed the baby animals and ride the barrell train. She said that Brady was running through the pumpkin patch and fell down but didn't cry cause his Bubba was with him. Ryan said they had a great time. They were on their way out the door when I showed up, thank goodness I got there in time, I got to go get ice cream too.