I am never prepared for Christmas. No matter that EVERY year I tell myself next year will be different. BUT, this year I did get my cards out on time, it counts even though they arrived on Christmas Eve right! I have to say Christmas Eve started out rough. I had a zillion errands to run, my whole day mapped out to the MINUTE, then the KINK!!! Taylor decided to fracture his hand-TWO hours later we leave the ONLY emergency clinic open without seeing the doctor. Long story-I just have to tell you that was not in my plans!!!! Then I tried to tell Meisi that we would have to make cookies for Santa later-let the meltdown begin again! Needless to say the cookies were made and we were an hour late to Mamaw's. We always have dinner at Mamaw's house and open presents Christmas Eve. After dinner and presents we drive through one of our neighborhood's that puts on a yearly light show. Then it is on to midnight Mass-yes we are crazy! I love midnight Mass, the church is absolutely gorgeous and the choir and brass ensemble are wonderful. We have been going to it ever since I can remember. We arrive 45 min. early for the singing before mass starts and then mass is an hour. I insist we sit in the FRONT row because Meisi-AKA-ballerina girl loves to dance in the side isle! I think it is a bad sign when you show up to church and the people you sit by look at you and say "oh yea, she's here"-the sideshow of course!! Mass was beautiful as usual. NOw it's back to the house to get ready for "SANTA" to come, only problem Meisi won't go to sleep. Dad ends up putting together her kitchen in the garage. Meisi FINALLY goes to sleep at 3:00 a.m.!!!!!!! Let me just tell you she was back up at 8:30!!!

LET THE COOKING BEGIN......

The start of some good 'ole holiday cookin! Yes, Taylor loves to cook, he just doesn't want anyone to know!

TAYLOR TURNS 16!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Taylor finally turned 16!!!!!! Don't worry though the roads are still safe-----for now! Because his dear, sweet mom didn't take him to get his permit on time he has to wait till February 10th to get his liscense. It's scary enough just knowing he is out there being driven around be other 16 year olds! For his birthday he decided he wanted to take 6 friends to Shoguns Restaurant. It's the "in" thing to go to Shoguns, of course we were not invited! That's okay, he had a family party too. If you notice the cookie cake says "Happy Birthday T***** " because that's what happens when your mother drops it! Notice the card Meisi has in her hand, she was Bubba's little helper!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Once again I am way behind on the posting! I hope everyone had a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving. We are constantly amazed by all He gives us to be thankful for!! We spent Thanksgiving in El PAso with my family. Taylor, Meisi and I were able to go a few days early which was nice. Darrell drove in Wednesday night to join us. We enjoyed the day (some more than others-Darrell and Denise!!) with my brother and his family and my sister and her family. Of course all the boys (and OLDER boys) started the day with their annual game of football. Which was, as usual followed by three days of recovery! Then we all sat down to a wonderful dinner. I was even allowed to COOK this year!!!!! We always follow Thanksgiving Day with a day of shopping (to walk off all those 2nd, 3rd, .....helpings). Here's a few pictures. As always, Taylor manages to cover his face!

HALLOWEEN 08

We had too much fun last night trick-or-treating with our friends! We filled a 18 foot trailer with bails of hay and pulled the kids around the neighborhood trick-or-treating. They really thought they were on a "hay ride!" Meisi chose to be a kitty cat! Well that was her third costume for Halloween! Her daycare has a party for the Tues/Thurs kids and a party for the Mon/Wed/Fri kids...needless to say the 5 day kids enjoyed two parties! The first day she was Little Bo Peep and the next day she was a Princess-go figure! Hope everyone had a safe Halloween!