NYE 2009

It's hard to believe that tomorrow will be a new year. Because finding a sitter on NYE is almost impossible, we're spending the last night of the year with a few close friends for dinner and games at our house. Besides, I think mommy and daddy would have more fun with us kiddos anyway.

We've had a great 2009 and have been very blessed in so many ways! Here's to you and 2010!

Happy New Year!

Cantaloupe origins

Tripp: Mommy, where does Cantaloupe come from?

Mommy: It grows on a vine in a field. Like at Mama's farm.

Tripp: Mommy, that's silly. Cantaloupe comes from an ostrich.

Christmas is HERE!

We MUST have been good because Santa came to see us! And he brought me exactly what I asked for - the Handy Manny Repair Shop. My baby got a new puppy - that moves and barks - but doesn't eat or poop. Mommy's kind of pet! After we opened presents, we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus and had a birthday coffee cake. Merry Christmas!

Fun stocking surprises

Mommy got me my own body pillow so I'll stop dragging hers all over the house

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Christmas Eve - Part deux

We drove in from Tomball and straight to church. It was perfect timing because we walked in as the music was starting. Whew - good thing because mommy really doesn't like being late and especially not to Christmas Eve service. My baby and I went with mommy and daddy to 'grown up' church and it was cool to see what they 'do' during church but I think I'll stick to my Sunday school. I did get to go up to the front stage with all of the other children and sing 'Away in the Manger'. It's one of my favorites! After church, we went home and had to put out reindeer food in the front yard so Rudolph and the others would know to stop. When we finished, we got Santa's plate ready with the cookies and milk but my baby kept running off with the cookies and by the end of it, poor Santa only had a few crumbs left. Oh well, he can share the carrot I left for Rudolph. Now off to bed because Santa will be here soon!

My baby putting out reindeer food
Cutting off the last ring from my bell...which means Christmas is tomorrow!
We got to open 1 present on Christmas Eve. It's jammies! Matching, of course.

Yes, empty plate but no, Santa hasn't been here yet. Notice Tate's hands AND cheeks!

Dear Santa, my baby ate all of your cookies. Not me!

Christmas Eve - Part 1

After a stop in Navasota to pick up my big cousin Trevor, we made it to Tomball in time for a family luncheon. I LOVE my cousins and have so much fun when I get to see them. My baby was a little overwhelmed (or tired...or both) by all of the attention but she made a quick friend with Rudy, the dog. We had a very yummy lunch, had our gift exchange and then got back in the car to get back to Austin before Christmas Eve service at 6pm that evening. Since there are so many cousins, each year we draw names and this year I got walkie talkies! They are so cool and I had to check them out right away and practice with Uncle Mark. These will definitely come in handy when mommy is downstairs and I'm in my playroom. Tomorrow is Christmas and I'm so excited for Santa to come. Merry Christmas Eve to all!

Playing 'Grinch Bingo' with my cousins. I won a hand!
Cousin picture + mommy because my baby was having a fit

My cool walkie talkies!

My family is so silly

Christmas Eve - Eve

With family so close, we decided to make a 'quick' trip through College Station and Tomball before heading back to Austin for Christmas Eve service on the 24th. Yes, it was a bit ambitious looking back but we survived. On Christmas Eve Eve, we went to see Mama, Mimi B and Grandpa Smoky for dinner and my favorite - presents! We had a lot of fun and my baby and I were sure glad we had the chance to see them during the holidays this year.

A family picture the next morning before heading to our next stop

The Little Fir Tree

One of my new favorite books (from the book exchange, by the way) is 'The Little Fir Tree'. It's a sweet story with a sweet message. I don' t think it's because of this book but in and around our neighborhood, people decorate the trees on the side of the road. We found 2 little 'fir trees' of our own and wanted them to feel special for Christmas and decided to decorate them. One is an Aggie tree (because we love our Aggies) and the other is in support of our troops (because we love our troops- especially Uncle Jason).

The finished project

Christmas Project

With no school this week, mommy has been trying to find fun things for us to do in order to keep us entertained and away from the tv. So, when Reagan and Laurel invited us over for lunch and to make snow globes, we were on board. Miss Amy is so much more crafty than mommy but it was a fun group effort and here is the finished project. If you can't tell, mine is a squirrel AND a seashell. Perfect!

Letter from Santa!

I emailed Santa a letter last week on his website http://www.northpole.com/ and he wrote me back! Here is what he had to say.....

Dear Tripp,

I was so happy to receive your letter here at the North Pole! The reindeer are ready for the long flight on Christmas Eve, except for Prancer. He has been staying up too late watching Christmas specials on TV. I'm hoping he'll take a long nap before it's time to take off!

Once my sleigh is packed and ready to go, I'll be off on my journey around the world. I'm reading your letter right now, and it looks like you've been a very nice boy this year. That makes me so happy. Keep up the good work!

While you are asleep on Christmas Eve, the reindeer will land my sleigh on your rooftop so I can hop down your chimney.

I see that you like cars and trucks. I like cars and trucks, too. They are lots of fun to play with, and we have some very exciting new cars and trucks this year. The elves have been very busy this year making many new and different cars and trucks for Christmas!

It's time for me to feed the reindeer so I must go now. I promised them that they could have some figgy pudding tonight for dessert if they eat all their carrots for dinner. That's a real treat for them!

Ho! Ho! Ho! Have a Merry Christmas!
Your Special Friend,

Santa

Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas

Alamo Drafthouse was having a special showing of the classic 'Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas' and Emmylou invited me to go along. We had a special day with just our mommy's and we couldn't wait to go see the movie! We got there early and found out the time had changed so we got to go play some games at Chuck-E-Cheese's beforehand. What a bonus! When we got back to the movie, there were only front row seats but it was another bonus because 'The Rogue River Jug-Band' was set up and performed a bunch of fun jug-band songs before the movie - up close and personal. We ordered lunch (complete with milkshakes) and had the best time. It sure was a special day for Emmylou and me but I think our mommies enjoyed the special time with us, too.

Book Exchange

Mommy has never been a fan of the book exhange letters she gets from time to time. She's tried to participate in the past but they never seem to pan out as planned. This year, I got the book exchange letter and convinced mommy to give it a try. We're so excited because we've already received 3 new books and we're having so much fun reading them! For those skeptical mommies out there who are resisting (ie Kari), give it a try! Our new favorite is 'The Little Fir Tree'.

Christmas Chapel Pageant

We 'performed' the story of Jesus for our mommies and daddies today in Christmas Chapel. Last year, since we were the youngest, we played the baby animals and I was a sheep. This year, since we're so much older, we played the part of the shepards. Yes, I picked out the camo pattern for my special Christmas pageant.

Too many sprinkles? No such thing!

It's hard to believe but it's the last day of preschool....until 2010. To celebrate, we decorated cookies all by ourselves before getting ready for our Christmas Chapel Pageant. The best part, we got to EAT the cookies as well.

The sweetest things in life

While digging in mommy's purse, my baby found a SUCKER! She was so excited and took off to eat her sucker while no one was looking. She sure was enjoying it but I think she enjoyed it even more when mommy took off the wrapper.

Things aren't always as they seem

Daddy was getting my baby changed and in her jammies for the night. He was singing a song he always sings to her to the tune of 'Daisy Daisy' using 'Tatie Tatie' instead. She watched daddy so intently and seemed to really be focusing on the special song but funny thing - she was focused alright but on tee teeing all over the changing table. She looks sweet and innocent though!

Tripp & Tate's Ornament Party 2009

Last year, I had a little ornament party with a few of my school friends and had so much fun I decided to do it again this year. Mommy and I made chili for everyone and I couldn't wait for the fun to begin! We played, ate dinner, the daddies read 'Twas the Night before Christmas' and then we exchanged ornaments. I got a gingerbread house ornament and my baby got a snowman ornament. It was so much fun and I think I'll talk mommy into making it a new tradition!

Mommy had us all matching. I don't think my baby liked it.

But she's all smiles with Miller Miller. Christmas hugs! Sort of listening to 'Twas the Night Before Christmas'

Pig Tails!

Getting my hair into pig tails is pretty impossible because I won't let mommy come close to my hair without throwing a royal princess fit! But, I love Miss Connie so much and she can make miracles happen- especially when she fixes Victoria and Skylar's hair before mine. I like being with the 'big girls' and might I add how cute I am in my pig tails?

Happy 40th Birthday, Daddy!

Yes it's true. My daddy turned the BIG 4-0 yesterday and mommy had a surprise party for him. It sure was a challenge for mommy because on the day of the party, daddy wasn't feeling well and mommy and Aunt Bunny had to figure out how to get him out of the house. Finally, they went to a nice dinner (where daddy ordered oj as his dinner. Poor daddy) and then to the surprise party place where he truly was surprised! Yeah - a success! We sure love our daddy and look forward to the next 40+ years with him. Happy Birthday, daddy!Mommy had a professional photographer. ha - not really but an iphone in the dark didn't do all that bad. Give mommy a break though - she couldn't bring a camera or else it might have blown the surprise!

Mommy's not bitter

Really she's not. She just happens to think that my baby and I are MUCH cuter and sweeter than the 20 Gap finalists and that our pictures should be below. Ah, she might be right but I'll be a good sport and say good luck to each of the finalists....

My new BIG BOY room!

We came home from Atlanta this afternoon and I had a big surprise waiting for me. My new bed arrived and daddy had it all set up! I'm so excited to have a big boy room and can't wait to have my first sleep over.

My new dresser and my airplane picture that will eventually go on the wall (as soon as mommy can get over her 'nail holes in the wall' phobia).
Some of the wall art for my airplane themed room.

Meeting Baby Abby

Mommy's good friend and old business partner, Miss Vicki, has baby Abby and we finally got to meet her! We went to see their new house and had a breakfast playdate. We sure had a great time with you and hope to see you in Austin for a visit soon!

Tatie loved Abby's soft caterpillar

Sweet new friends
Giving baby Abby hugs - although Tatie is only 3 months older

Atlantic Station

Atlantic Station was having carolers, train rides, hot cocoa, Santa and the lighting of the tree so of course, we had to go check it out. Mommy should have checked the weather because it was so cold while we were there. Fortunately, we had a few gloves and hats but my baby ended up with socks on her hands. At least hers were clean - poor Jake had to wear his mommy's dirty socks from her feet! Smelly! Afterwards, we all went to our favorite restaurant where we hear, 'Welcome to Moe's'. Three mommies, 5 boys and 1 girl......it might have been a bigger site to see than the Christmas tree that night!

The boys- Grady, Jake, me and Mclain My baby and I didn't mind the cold Miss Carrie, Jake and Grady Miss Kari, Mclain and Hudson

Santa sure gets around! Here we are reminding him of our wish list....again.

Welcome to Moe's!!!!