Holiday Round-up

Okay, so if you haven't heard already . . . I'm expecting another baby (due July 15th). The last 3 months have been a little chaotic dealing with morning sickness on top of the usual holiday madness. So, forgive me for not updating the blog in a while. Evenings have been particularly hard this time around, which is usually the only time I have to do things like blogging.

But, I'm finally beginning to feel better. Hurray! (It's 9:30, and I haven't passed out on the couch yet!) So here is a very abbreviated photo-summary of the last few months . . . or, at least those few times I actually remembered to take pictures.

November included Matt's birthday --the big 3-2!--


and Thanksgiving at the Compton's in San Antonio. It was the same weekend the morning sickness kicked in. So, sorry, no pictures. It was kind of funny. We hadn't told anyone we were expecting yet. We showed up at their house, and I looked looked and felt horrible. Matt's mom knew something was up. After a few polite hints that I didn't look so good, I finally fessed up.

December included my birthday --the ahem-2. (Again, no pics.) And, of course, Christmas! Our Christmas celebration included 3 rounds of present opening.

Round 1 --Our Home


Round 2 --Matt's Parents'
We went down a few days before Christmas to spend time with Matt's family and to meet John's new fiancee, Kaylin, and her daughter, Brooklyn. (Congratulations you two!) We had lots of fun taking family pictures, visiting, and of course, opening presents! We also had a special treat when Lisa shared some of her experiences from study abroad at BYU Jerusalem, including some culinary delights she brought home with her. (Pop-Rock Chocs and Baklava. Yum!)





Round 3 --My Parents'
On Christmas Eve, we headed up to my parents'. We actually had the entire family there for a few days --all 18 of us --and it was a blast!

Big pile of presents Christmas morning.


Michael getting into his stocking.


Sadie loves her new scooter --so did all the other kids! Here she is checking out Hunter's dinosaur.


The gingerbread houses were a big hit. Fun to make


and fun to eat!


One day, we went down to the Austin Nature Center. We had a picnic and played around,


saw some wild animals,


and DUG UP DINOSAUR BONES!




Help! Help! My parents are burying me alive!


We also got to ride the train at Zilker Park.


Celebrating New Year's Eve, Michael was in little-boy-heaven watching all the fireworks --so were Daddy, Popie, and all the uncles and cousins.



Sadie was pretty impressed too. She sat on my lap mesmerized, not a bit scared.


Matt and I kept up our New Year's tradition of greeting the sun. Here comes another beautiful year . . .