Merry Christmas from our home to yours!

December Birthdays

Matt's birthday is December 5th and he likes to remind us any chance he gets so we made him a video that he could play over and over. Happy Birthday, Matt. We love and appreciate all you do for us!!!

December 3rd is my friend Megan's birthday. Megan and I have been friends since elementary school. Most my childhood memories include Megan (and Kim...see below). We did everything together and I am glad I have her as a friend. Happy Birthday, Megan!

December 4th is Melanie's birthday. Melanie is an amazing mother and has raised the most thoughtful children. I am not kidding. All of her kids are so very respectful to other kids and adults. Have a great day, Melanie!

Happy Birthday, Jackie on Dec 16th. Jackie, have a fabulous day! I am sure you will be celebrating all day!! I don't get to see Jackie very often but it's always great fun when I do. By the way, Jackie has the most amazing singing voice!!

December 30th is Kim's birthday. Aren't these the cutest bunch of girls you have ever seen? Kim makes the perfect mom for 4 girls. Hope it's a special day!

Fall Ball is Over!

This season Madelyn made some new friends off the baseball field. It made going to all the practices/games that much more fun for both of us.

Christopher pitched a great season for the Astros.

Christopher's team (The Astros) came in 3rd place for 9/10AAA.

Garrett played 1st base this season and got many outs in that position.

Garrett's team (The Texas Rangers) won the world series and came in 1st place for the 7/8AAA.

Garrett and Coach Brandon. Garrett has had this coach 3 times now and we are thankful for all the time and effort he spends on these boys.

Until next season...

Happy Halloween!

Madelyn's Storybook Parade

Making the same silly faces as their pumpkin

Madelyn the Cowgirl

Garrett the Skeleton

Christopher the Catcher

Happy November Birthdays

King Max, we can't believe you are turning one on November 3rd. How we've grown to love you. You make me crazy many days but I love when you snuggle up to me. You always want to share your love and you have plenty of it to share. We hope we have many more years to celebrate with you.

November 12th is my friend Katie's birthday. Katie is very selfless. She would give you the shirt off her back. She has many talents and excels in all of them. Katie loves to dance, design, model and perform. Happy Birthday, Kate! It was great seeing you this spring.

Karen's birthday is November 14th. Karen and I went to High School together and then were roomates in college. Karen knows how to have a good time. She always comes up with crazy ideas to keep things fun. Karen and her husband are both survivors of cancer and for that they are my heroes. Karen, I hope you have a fabulous birthday! Thanks for all the great memories.

Leigh's birthday is November 21st. Leigh is another roomate from college and a forever friend. She is so good at staying in touch. Leigh has a beautiful family and I am so glad that her parents live around here so that I get to see her often. Eat some cake for me, Leigh!

November 27th is Wendi's Birthday. Wendi is also a friend from High School. I am truly grateful to have had such good friends during my high school years. It has been so much fun to continue our relationship into adulthood. Wendi loves dressing up for Halloween. She always has the best costume ideas. She also loves candy...maybe that is why she likes Halloween so much. Wendi makes you feel loved just by talking to her. Have a happy "black friday" birthday!

We've had a new cousin join the family!

Baby Kate was born Friday, October 2. She was 8.9 lbs and 22 inches. We wish we lived closer to hug on her. (Proud Parents, Suzanne and Christian Andersen and big brother, Benton)

October Birthdays

October is the month to be born I guess. Today October 2 is Kristin's birthday. She was a roommate of mine in college and it is always so fun when I get to see her. I have a niece that is being born today too so I think October 2 is a pretty neat day! Happy Birthday, Kristin and Baby Kate.

October 10th is Robyn's birthday. Robyn and I have been friends since High School. We got married the same summer, bought houses around the corner from each other and started have our kids around the same time. She added an extra one at the end of the bunch though. I miss living near Robyn because she is someone that really makes me laugh and really knows most everything about me and my family. Happy Birthday, Robyn. I am glad we got to make some great memories this spring in California.

October 13th is Chanelle's birthday. We miss Chanelle in our neighborhood and Maddie misses her little buddy. The neighborhood is just not the same. Come visit soon and bring that new little baby boy here to get loved on. Hope your day is wonderful!

October 17th is Darcy's birthday. Darcy and I go back to middle school. Darcy is a fabulous labor and delivery nurse. She helped deliver my two boys and made that experience that much more special. I will always be grateful to her for that. Darcy is a great friend and we have grown closer over the years. Darcy eat some Utah county peaches for me on your birthday. (I miss those during this time of year)

October 17th is also my friend Nicole's day. She is another one that decided to up and move away from our neighborhood. We miss her sweet smile and cute kids. Nicole has had her house for sale for 10 months with no luck. This month, I am sending good vibes her way and hopefully she will get a buyer. Anyone want to move to my neighborhood?? Nicole lost her home and belongings during Hurricane Katrina and she really taught me that it doesn't matter what "stuff" you own because it is your family that matters most. Happy Birthday, Nicole!

Heather's birthday is October 21st. I met Heather a few years ago but it has been fun to get to know her better over the past year. She comes and visits me every month and doesn't even mind Max licking the lotion off her legs. This summer she dealt with some trials and she pulled through with great patience and relying completely on the Lord. Hopefully, this year will bring you many blessings.

October 22nd is Tiffany's birthday. Tiffany has a spunk for life and knows how to have a good time. Tiffany is a goal setter and she always achieves them. Her children are lucky to have her for a mom. Tiffany, I know you love a party so I am not worried about you celebrating your birthday. You probably have already started! Have a great one!!

October 24th is Laura's birthday. Laura's blog is the first one that I ever started to read. She inspired me to start one up and to write about our families memories. I am thankful to her for that. Laura enjoys the good and the bad about being a mom and isn't afraid to share her experiences. Laura is running in her second marathon this weekend. Good Luck, Laura and Happy Birthday!!

Christopher's Birthday

I can't believe I have a child who is in the double digits. It is strange how I can remember his birth like it was yesterday and yet it seems like he has always been a part of my life. Christopher is so easy going and fun to be around. All of his teachers comment on how they wish all of their students were as great as Christopher. Even today when I was up at the school, a substitute teacher was there and she said, "I just want you to know what a good kid Christopher is. He always listens and does what I ask him."

This morning, we had pancakes and then we remembered we needed a candle to blow out so I put a sparker candle in. It was a little big for a pancake.

I took cupcakes up to the school at lunchtime. Christopher doesn't really care for sweets (definitely not my kid) and so it was so funny because all the kids were saying, "oh, yum, are these homemade?" and Christopher didn't even eat one. He said he was full.

Christopher opened up some of his presents before school this morning. He wanted an airsoft gun. A bunch of the neighbor boys have one and he has wanted one. He just so happened to get one that had one big one and one little one (so he could share with Garrett). What a nice brother!! He also wanted a wii game, Little League World Series. I guess he doesn't get enough baseball in on his own. He also picked out a cool new bat when we were in Utah this summer. He also was excited about the Ohio State Jersey.
After I took cupcakes to Christopher's school, I asked him if he wanted to skip school the rest of the day and go see a movie. He was so excited! He said this was the best birthday ever! It was fun to go the movie with just the two of us. He thought it was pretty cool too. He was so worried about Garrett though. Sure enough when Garrett got home from school, he was feeling awfully bad about not getting to go.
I am sure the backyard is filled with about 1000 airsoft pellets. I wonder what Matt will say when he tries to mow them up.

Christopher is getting excited for this weekend too. His Uncle Tom is coming to visit from Ohio. They are planning on going to the Astros Game, going fishing, playing in their first baseball game of the season and going to a Texans Football Game. What a great birthday weekend!

Happy Birthday Christopher! Hopefully, the next 10 will be just as memorable!

September Birthdays

September 3rd is Shauna Steenbakker's Birthday. I have been friends with Shauna for 15 years. She was a roommate of mine in college. She now lives only a short 3 1/2 hr drive away in Ft. Worth. Shauna is an amazing mother to her three children. I sometimes feel like I am her child too because she teaches me so much! They are currently trying to adopt a baby (preferably twins). She KNOWS that she has other children out there that are meant to be part of their family. She has the faith to continue to pursue this until is happens. I hope this year she gets that miracle. That is my birthday wish for you, Shauna.

The Texans vs The Saints

Matt got tickets from work to see the preseason game of the Texans vs the Saints on Saturday. The Texans didn't play too great but we had a fabulous time in the suite.

1st Day of School 2009

Christopher 4th Grade; Mrs. Wolfe

Garrett 3rd Grade; Mrs. Hooper

Madelyn Kindergarten; Ms. Tilotta

Waiting on the bus (I can't believe she'll be gone ALL day)

She DID it...with a little help from Christopher

I followed the bus to school to make sure she got in the classroom ok. (Ms. Tilotta took this picture for me so I didn't have her see me at the school)

Madelyn's teacher, Ms. Tilotta (Garrett had Ms. Tilotta in Kindgergarten too)

Hoping tomorrow and the rest of the year goes as smoothly!!!

I guess it's just me and Max now...

We've all made it to Kindgergarten

Matt 1976 (the year Natalie was born....)

Natalie 1981

Christopher 2005

Garrett 2006

Madelyn 2009