The Christmas Parade

Each year on Maggie's birthday weekend Rowlett has its annual Christmas parade. Rowlett was named one of the most "Playful" cities in the USA. I agree they have things going on all the time and just about every weekend. So we always go downtown to the parade. I didn't think it was going to be too cold this year but it ended up being very windy and cold!!! Glad we took coats. Turner enjoyed sitting and watching everyone go by. The girls enjoyed getting the candy. We met Sherry and Jackson down there so it was fun to get to be with friends. We decided that the wagon was the way to go with all the kids. Otherwise someone would have been carrying them the whole way.

Our little group.

Babe and Turner

Sherry and Jackson

I love this picture of Turner sitting on the curb waiting on the parade to start.

They were all looking to try and see what was coming. I think it is too cute!!!

Darby heard that Santa was on the way and so she decided that it might be safest to get out and stand by Babe. She said she didn't want to talk to Santa.

Santa!!!

This was Turner by the time we got home which was about a 5 minute drive.

The Cookies

For Maggie's birthday we had an owl theme this year. So I found these really cute cookies online and decided that I would try and replicate them myself. So I got this really cute cookie cutter at www.coppergifts.com . They have every shape and size that you could ever want or need. So Maggie and I made the cookies and cut them out. She is a great little helper and loves to be in the kitchen with me. How can she be in our family and not love to cook right? Sherry and Jackson got her a precious little owl apron for her birthday. She like to do all the pouring and even crack the eggs. Babe and I are trying to teach her. Her favorite part is to lick the stick (beater). I guess that used to be my favorite part also.

I recruited Alfonsina and Sherry to come over one night and help me decorate the cookies. Sherry was a little hesitant when she saw the detail that the cookie was supposed to have. Since Maggie was still up and Etienne was there she decided that she would read books to them and keep them out of our hair. It was very helpful.

Alfonsina and I jumped right in to the royal icing which we had never used. We figured it out pretty quickly and it ended up being very easy.

Sherry reading to Maggie and Etienne

We got this far before we had to call it a night.

The next day Mom came to help me get ready for the party and she helped me put the finishing touches on the cookies. I think she was pretty impressed with our cookie decorating abilities.

We had a table full of little owls looking at us.

I think that they turned out pretty cute. I was pretty impressed with them. Thanks to all who helped with the cookies.

A visit with Cole

We finally caught up with Meredith and Cole in Hot Springs one weekend. Maggie, Turner and I went over to Bud and Pegs for a visit. It is so fun to see our kids play together. I think Maggie needs to be around Cole more often because Cole doesn't put up with Maggie being bossy or in charge. He stands his ground with her. It was great to see everyone and I hope we can do it again soon.It was a cold day!!!

Cole and Maggie posing for the camera.

Cole and Turner

The crew all together. Pretty soon we will have another little boy to add to the mix. We can't wait to meet him!

Pure Sweetness

I just love this sweet little boy. I got out some Christmas pj's just so we could maybe get some cute pics by the Christmas tree. He thought it was funny to crawl off while we were taking pictures. Once we would put him back he would laugh and do it again. Another favorite of his is to pull the ornaments off the tree. I just thought these pics were too cute to not share.

There he goes getting ornaments off the tree.

Mom's Birthday

Mom had a big birthday earlier this month. She assured us that she DIDN'T want a party. So we all had to put our heads together and decide what we could do and make it really special. So we decided to get a chef out of Little Rock to come and cook dinner for us at Trevor and Jodi's house. Donnie Ferneau from Ferneau's came and made us a five course dinner. It was AMAZING. The food was so good. It was so good that dad ate raw tuna. For him to even try it was just short of a miracle --- and he ate 2!!! So we had Tuna Nachos, Tomato Soup, Spring Salad, Sea Bass and Cream Brule. It was great!!! We made her a book of pictures from her childhood all the way until now. It was a great book and she was very surprised and happy. I think she loves it!!! The table

Mom's special glass that she got for her birthday

Mom and Dad

The girls --- where is LL?

Watching everything that Donnie was doing.

Donnie, Mom and McKenzie

Do you see what I see?

Yep we went to the library and saw a reindeer. His name was Prancer. Our library had lots of fun things going on year round. So we decided to go and check it out. Maggie said that "Uncle Trevor killed a reindeer." She is too funny. Turner was very interested in this reindeer. He loved standing at the gate and look at this deer.

He would have stayed there forever if I would have let him.

I love this picture with her hand on his back.

Chick-fil-a was there and gave out juice boxes and cow hats. They are at every event and really support our community.

This is the kind of cooperation that Maggie gave me while taking pictures on the sleigh.

Turner is usually full of smiles.

Then the reindeer had to leave. He left in a trailer and they must have taken him to Santa's sleigh.

Halloween 2010

We went to Hope for Halloween. They were going to Trick or Treat on Saturday night and Rowlett was going to Trick or Treat on Sunday night. Also it is just tradition to go to Hope for Halloween. Mom and Dad have loads of kids come to the door and when I say loads I mean 500-700 kids. It is pretty steady for hours. We take shifts giving out candy and we also have friends over to eat and to help. We always have a great time.
Maggie woke up wanting to make cookies. So Mag and Babe made cookies bright and early that morning.

We didn't have a seat for Turner in the tub so we put his highchair in the tub. He loves bath time!!!

He is always so happy!!!

Marcia and Woody!!! Marcia is such a great friend and loves my kiddos to death!!!

So I decided that I should dress according to my children.

Family picture

Love that smile

Woody and Jessie

Watch out Woody is in town.

Family picture with most of us looking.

Off they go in the mustang.

Hand in Hand they go to the trunk or treat

This is her trick or treating. We went around her neighborhood in Poppy and Babe's golf cart with a flash light. Marcia helped me go around with the girls. They loved it!!!

We went to Rowlett on Sunday and went to a few stops around our neighborhood and then over to Jackson and Sherry's. We all went together around her neighborhood and then the last stop was at Mimi's house. Too many goodies!!!! We had a great Halloween!!!