Well, tomorrow it’s back to work for me. Every year it seems like the holidays (and the months) pass more quickly. I was luxuriating in the number of days I had off on December 17th, and now I’m wondering where the time went. This will be a long post because I have a lot of catching up to do.
In the middle of the month Amy and Chris went to their company Christmas party, so we had a sleepover. Some of us look cute with bedhead. Others of us are not having our picture taken.
![IMG_2431 IMG_2431](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRt1IpdZtDYXH1WELCjiUtPsdeab_glyyWrFaMTnVMNkHzjefOg3Fh0dT0B-OjC0ShyeUs2TZGjRTHwFR_iYjrEE1BmfNUejigVoOxgsxU3VyR60Hzn8ELnVt2cKfcPn8z77pOKqs6BN_J/?imgmax=800)
![IMG_2432 IMG_2432](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJj0xVrY_0MQwIuroEj0j0nsPe49enaaP-HTVuC5jXmR_DoXB1FfdC2_jFuUCi5fnwOrfFTJzVD2GIwSvXYbRO1HgLmYXRmPyLeVTyTY2r5DFo-RNNbRwFp81DXltlyl4hkFSvC4C796Jq/?imgmax=800)
Hannah helped Grammy clean out her drawers. She is a fast worker!
![IMG_2436 IMG_2436](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgknaCsMRsEWoY3BAnWTKUQsdChEeqzyMIX7o_7kpz_0IUQC10vPEglniWk_foaCROX8XsUG9nGQc9m-HqNU-WXkZZhwoK0bSHLuuS54B62DYalBZX2kLf7Qf1mHOgSxzbdopY5Sv54tUFW/?imgmax=800)
We played “My Little Pony” in our jammies.
![IMG_2438 IMG_2438](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBdF166sCNfiwjjuxcr7DaGz1azzBYvJhS0-Fl1NEQX-2CxV_iBmCjybAEGAj7MET01r9aihsFY62D4XcYpDK33adqU4cFRbW_XLLvVnO9tZBPEbm-HM_PBzDFy5ghEwdaY6a-Fdc0r3N/?imgmax=800)
And watched Nick Jr…
![IMG_2440 IMG_2440](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf91-0s99lIKRyl_-uElJqj8zEJEh7qClX2wqWIBLBZoHiBZOtnSjwVdVtmvRynaOrLNWisG-qjz0j_RBMmInbPKv6kVlBSn1GKCnVXew0qiGVcBt5xxgxx5-7VYcSZ4GsdnorfPMcoM6w/?imgmax=800)
Then mommy crashed our party and the girls had to go home.
![IMG_2441 IMG_2441](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1afQknzcNZjdxpQ9q3DJU9jTnjXO0CsiTw9X4vdUccbFMn7iMBE1CcckS2V6z2caz-bJoNVhSMJ6JZqkXL2eCmu7MKtRd4Ynnaxrz1U4nCL7MH06vkeXJjy_Wh26g_C1P8g5lAprmwoRH/?imgmax=800)
However, Amy had to have some fairly minor surgery which meant that she couldn’t do any lifting for a while, so Hannah and Katie got to spend some special time with Grammy and Grandpa the week before Christmas. Hannah accompanied us as we sang Jingle Bells…
![IMG_2449 IMG_2449](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGk0Yyps0nbEQTvbDYjU3P5xtjcjAGRpTCD2NhD0TAVvsMGZ5_7drdDik5M2pZ6vF6m8KdOW9JB1IIiYkSr0l4Vd1bYNqfMS6lad8ver9aXANPIXAnTUAQJ4dqLfTphsndzUgcxv52Gagm/?imgmax=800)
She learned to drive…
![IMG_2452 IMG_2452](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgblNJlpm57x6uT659y6oHM8lWYVZGVkOc-fFiNXZPExD7q9WFo855Ow-iVeXi9ogHItl41tSaIgcwOtFmQbqVNbjF1eU_6KJUK1PTpHzyxJW5Tp1PhqIB1jfFi-mMzmtdMhLcgSiHnY3/?imgmax=800)
by turning on the ignition…
![IMG_2454 IMG_2454](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHXHRuOSwpNx3lojk9V2qafqE6Y5GVIp0rryCgvykfqBMoTLJ3IQ_LE-ycr_3jBd_hSP7aKPWc1D1ts5F-pqjv7qrRjq3yesCRibIMFGEHpAYVHoJaJMQH9hjYC12kRLBlJ6WvYzgxTpK/?imgmax=800)
and honking the horn at anyone in her way…
![IMG_2456 IMG_2456](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiORZLzKjTyzwvjU3bagAUXQqGLbXlWBibfFF8M2Qjs-AjviNp4oY0mrxGlS035DB5UFxyKpgpyEoiWpfEDAqO3awpDJtdZ51LBgLKY15Bk3BdqMFXbSvg2FufyVSQ8urxa_pkpE6DvQZnG/?imgmax=800)
We sat on Grammy’s lap…
![IMG_2457 IMG_2457](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJ-s2gcHQFCyG_qVfOz_6nEToLcSPwrONJTHKeMGV1AtdRFxAhQBKbl8vzMIJ_COuBPxjFV1-oeSaHf6UDP5YXJas-DUAwFza4hyphenhyphenTdZQ4RD0vRJSkBGfA2FvwtQUtcitGqjKG6H23lj3T/?imgmax=800)
![IMG_2458 IMG_2458](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzP6GFt05eoTjNgMT0D3LOnvRrOrCiG-NEcKlIIZL3FsY1BTjcC10saRkpffBsdNo6vC9bvhkhWtEpcsov_1a13CpCHM3REnL9V4YuEbE4Nso_WQlstMa5IZ_yD7y7gsg794ppJoswusUM/?imgmax=800)
Learned to play the drum… (It takes lots of concentration.)
![IMG_2460 IMG_2460](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmHMUBLQ2RMVA0SgkckRngwrGjCcevv_86qVG3xwySCDJx_cVZ5davQPDcAdDWXWURqaF5RT8hAFXaL-hVd-p_uBLngWWe5vCKuq8eQpaVceg-UXnIu4-fxm65qkJHUQ3-tiE2N0e-Osy/?imgmax=800)
And filled up our glasses to overflowing with love.
![IMG_2462 IMG_2462](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihgWm1fR0W3CiWr2QM6EU7flgjRPWhxAOuSeqdOCUww7vYe78xE02qpONHVJJdWqg6kcobGOPpJ_ZyZ31zs3dQ_h_luIY5h1rvLecHvSbzTX7OWkjjDXxPOrSdZgv9TjgWqEUAhq_OcTPJ/?imgmax=800)
On Christmas Eve we met Judy and Tony at our church for the 4:00 service. It is always a special, sweet service of carols, candlelight, and a simple message God’s love toward a fallen world that came in the form of a baby, Jesus.
![IMG_2442 IMG_2442](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-O4CmKC54YZIvR1LsyogN7i1EV2LcMXvs5hCvwRrrLSmkWt8uItgScoWAXfyt7976Owm_A1ncroQNjyLQGxPG1IxN_vxn2aqQWvuePM_Lj7eGWx1y1mcU31dBa72agyOSsvBRV40ogrW/?imgmax=800)
After the service we had dinner at Escalantes which is always yummy.
Erin flew in on Christmas morning, so we had dinner late that afternoon. Lucas had to work Christmas day, so he didn’t come in until the next morning.
![IMG_2481 IMG_2481](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGcI5ACumAUNoX_FD0mTMhKVV1xro8FKGvDG3LS34Tq3utmmliNpiy-0ePxh2s-7qWNdkwiqowVX79DeqwZwSEsBMrB70PeAPX6OFpwntErZwl1PpGdFLgqj7cxUBF2SGFuhN0JFWRKYZ/?imgmax=800)
Our holiday table.
![IMG_2475 IMG_2475](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjudDG7QMffSXc96bcSHyXX3oTI1BbQMwZAblu4zeW9nNO0Oz5zsNbw5zglwhTOg7F16qDT0YTTxcky5xZIZez06kO0cSyF1OuEx3EXWfWDNBmgJ6RCmjzEW_NA_3tNqC9QV0veVf35xsKE/?imgmax=800)
![IMG_2476 IMG_2476](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPhAC6rJW9cVp_-l4PBeltMB-B1letfItOqf84RVY4xxD14y4CypEZ32TUf9yIed1pL8i6idGwyqRnE-0qBhOsUUfbdqHjHrr8k6qOsGNR5Vqd9HoEoIv2soV5Ln5aWaC8p8AQ1avBo9P/?imgmax=800)
Katie was very excited to see her Aunt Erin.
![IMG_2482 IMG_2482](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB1QB6LtJVtokl1X312bKJXQaf9pw5zsPHaH-MlzxfDoYdVRG3qEKtJQ75aSxBpr-B0VZmvqVUoZt_S2cA_bGRE6t9oUQw6viNEUHl7mbhx2NtdAFwV1f9kkdwR10Bcs6ZtxzpXK5VHsVN/?imgmax=800)
As well as Aunt Judy…
![IMG_2483 IMG_2483](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiquQdMiiX9MMkqtb3lqNTMzthcM8N0Q_mdw0iYDaXuTsWTpiIzCu-7qH5Vya0CMMC9qbRHdRpd6ugssogMY46rOVAbptmJMGM0UIv0gGcrU_WuJRsfKzp-O0Ev0akJSeaJ_aEYe_x7NF43/?imgmax=800)
Getting ready to open presents…
![IMG_2484 IMG_2484](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKCWaAzmENi_8WwFdZCGafU0J_yqR4PXCk6w_ABdyV0wdBqAXCwHhOU5YiNlwytS_-4QJyHbR-_oJRUwvpMILC1aOGkUWGCAj1MkFHAxMph6QYocGnp8ny0Jc5qlPIPUPVIDgyLDH6hMd/?imgmax=800)
![IMG_2485 IMG_2485](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjL8TfScBu09_3VdKo1bvtfF_x_QWM7Sek7mp7mwfPE9am6zV83e1vCS8MNc-yPoDI9slh9EfL5scwGCVd0sJKKQKya8UNfiSo-tPfk10QUJttlf1_fGYTywxTCzfvaqARXv6r4M4xBmr7/?imgmax=800)
![IMG_2486 IMG_2486](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrA5epoNG1PXCr6WCD1g_UDF54aD2Q4M65f_hUFp0xHPAAh6jOr6FuwVDQDbaY-9-7ZwfcCgZ76kDCssii9w88LjjG97La8lAnb8ABK_90WUwJPttJwuuA-cU3h94jmPGp0hqd8VjF4H9D/?imgmax=800)
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I think that the string on the puppy was the most interesting of the presents for both Hannah and Sawyer.
![IMG_2488 IMG_2488](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaSlckIGp6LL-Gb0q2tpSt4M9R_9Mojc4tRnqVwmCok6tP4wIBA8_5fgEMKUW3yzlP7wR378ybOy7HYY4iJA7knMwS5-JuHpFMBqdmwbU2ujfOw1oqY4774G7oLjEP-XRWdw6h09gbem2f/?imgmax=800)
Unfortunately, I don’t have many pictures of Christmas Day. I was too busy cooking, eating, and cleaning up after the meal. I can’t remember even seeing the babies open the presents. I do know that there were a lot of boxes and wrapping paper. Next year I need to do something differently, I think!
Between Christmas and New Years it has become a tradition for us to take a little shopping trip to the hill country to spend our Christmas money. We left early Monday morning for Fredericksburg, San Antonio, San Marcos (the outlet mall), and Wimberley. Erin needed her Texas shopping fix. Dan was under the weather so didn’t make the trip with us. Amy and Chris were in Galveston with his family. We hit our favorite stores in Fredericksburg - Abella Home, Auer Haus, and D’Vinely Designed – where we were able to get some more ornaments for next year’s trees.
For dinner we went to the Hilltop Café, a cajun restaurant about 11 miles outside of town. It is located in a remodeled old gas station. We ate fried green tomatoes and shrimp.
![IMG_2490 IMG_2490](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBmbSIoaf7p2FxCu-mQfLr8bEnkLnAxVi5Abct_X3lwMyd3jQoump99eB2gxgTjINoByzdoKozHI8SFeqVuzq6GV28m5P27kvBRl7P0UFum4kq3SLHSKRXlg54DdeDQ6Qs778rKRkNXV8/?imgmax=800)
This was after our pinto beans and cornbread lunch.
![IMG_2489 IMG_2489](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeWAwnA7yCu8z9jxfrbha00Hwg-OX_ZLzLSbM7w6oeofHTy-1p9WMOKwfyazp3xyWV4VnW55Tx8MprTRGIcDLX-xQIFz2W5C7l6qijEE1O4Yoah0XrGDbuaNs9Cd5eFX3JXxysbqX6T-fN/?imgmax=800)
The next night was spent in San Antonio at the Hotel Contessa. I now have a new favorite hotel. While there, we were able to mingle with the Oklahoma State fans and experience vicariously their excitement since a bowl game is not in our future for 2011! Ha! This was our view out the window.
![IMG_2491 IMG_2491](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYuef6sU8cq1mRv9J6cKtJPPZVnrWiM_rb6bsrPBh-flXkl97YI2EODhuOaA35IqMhKPZs65iPldNnBpide3xVjM5Y-zV13BjJlIyedbDfOuPBQ9O0ogUFgGG35Pxn5gZwZ3TdvQblSZrs/?imgmax=800)
And our sitting area…
![IMG_2492 IMG_2492](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9a6UTmig3bCwrJt6SixNBSEsIWx914ZhaM3Oq0EjhLscEkzsgs3AKYxhI4djuvIayk0fix9O4Bw8REuTvZNpVc6l0_K0AcobGTVvQ6hG3liV_RuW06N-vQiljJHEeiqPhFu73XNAIiaL/?imgmax=800)
Before heading home, we went to the outlet mall in San Marcos and made a quick trip to downtown Wimberley.
Wednesday night Amy and Chris came over to eat leftovers with us.
![IMG_2493 IMG_2493](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XwXhQTzzjqofb1Wyp2x9qxJziWTOvAYPD9iIlPKEx811aZf-9fydJtNUX6D1RSIYOTlmR5hzwJexrnSNNHPcDuEjA_80dWV4lMWPUV7_-f87TAaUTu-Osh5YuIYXNce3uFhO23NvssjV/?imgmax=800)
![IMG_2494 IMG_2494](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjriMU7mPsMGyaVRbG03zp-vzKSwz2-U5L2J4khQtCUUiowDmmQuX0of7_pExxaXfKFLYGg3heLjvcQ-UXclwX4F8-K8HqMp_1q6xOMghTbwqXacFJ3y9vMfNnE_ady-m1F8nP0pRHwF8UN/?imgmax=800)
![IMG_2498 IMG_2498](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhynMuyGVW7hP17zfW1T-RAhu-pZlSmjoX1hOyAQstyPZdRSqwiAmuB-SMxX5SC3hmfajpe2gDK3txSrnD_1LnqwwjpxgSwTbz0GEW_FDMDUxlxqpUdozRL9Gq414W9f4q8ENDCj2VQpN/?imgmax=800)
And to do a little reading…
![IMG_2500 IMG_2500](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycMq8Bm3KCphvpmk_7VpwwqQcCRXJTrcnbgbycN3rJyvT-gBMAkjY-DE4rCaHyFddazdXTXHXlL17VJmAEP5-3NeVqAYWok7-hI5KW_AKL526AoAolrJ0heMmOfXQyu81g6dDu9IV8eZ0/?imgmax=800)
It’s never too early to learn about where you’re from!
![IMG_2501 IMG_2501](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdaCQfMbJ6J5eAbqzKez6-36WcdlUv0Z5aEFXfx9hd0ZSjcMaCxDZKek8uqOqgM5kNLE3aXRNIiOOIiGay_r7vT-T3z7PrexXeGRBMuIB6OvG9iKIiOEVny1Xr1jx8YPYwffJOONYn-1u4/?imgmax=800)
Or to rough-house with Grandpa!
![IMG_2502 IMG_2502](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7iEGizFbFCHc8xmTuTg1cmZoxATqNshyGkhbIHrreOzD6mCZDUce6YfkXkUddkfVyRIMnNhyd7C4V8tk92kPHCgPmxskak8NdjxiTEK4TEPCtJ1g4_0W6SxiIL0BtLqou0ogIMUvRwdE1/?imgmax=800)
Thursday night we all (and I do mean all, since it was very crowded and we had to wait an hour for an outside table) went to eat at Lupe Tortilla’s. This isn’t a very good picture, but I needed at least one with Lucas in it!
![IMG_2504 IMG_2504](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzENdLGOsvkoJJSv9j4lzV7NQNmqJgwTn6LBTgZYxa4eLoZDo6jKgD88tQtA3klQHxUeDxq5RCbzqhDYtHVbDuzvJRSLCuaR-tQpNlM7XMTcXufsNWJ6XTg7aG4pcOcDNeVDTOKbafKQS/?imgmax=800)
Lots of wonderful memories…