Kid Free Vacation!!!

On Monday, David & I headed back to Longview without Kate! We had been planning to take a trip with the Bergmans to Angel Fire for a kid-free ski trip! After uploading all the pictures, I've just decided to let them tell the story...

We left super early Tuesday morning...

it's a 13 hour trip
drove through a snow storm...

couldn't get in the garage when we got there from all the new snow!!

Don't worry us girls stayed warm in the car...

Wednesday we all skiied together. Thankfully David was feeling better & could join us!

Bethany was an all star...

It was MISERABLY cold & snowy by the end of the day...

At night we played games

And built fires (well...Trevor did)

Wednesday I took the day from skiing & just layed around. It was amazing! Hadn't done that since before Kate was born.

For New Year's Eve we played card games as usual...

...and enjoyed the sparkling grape juice Trevor brought.

Friday, Bethany took the day off while the David, Trevor & I skiied. It was GORGEOUS DAY! I even got hot waiting in the line for the lift. My kind of skiing!

Isn't he cute!

We headed over to Red River for our last night there to eat at the famous Texas Red's.


SUCH a fun trip!!! Thanks to my mom & dad for keeping Kate to give me a break. It was much needed & much appreciated.

Hayden Family Christmas

To keep the whirlwind going, we got up early Saturday morning & headed south for Austin to have Christmas with my family. Cole & Kristin came over to exchange gifts & have a wonderful dinner that mom had been working on!

When we first got there, the kids got to see their "Santa" gifts (aka, the gifts that can't be wrapped!) from Nana & Poppa!

Then we all gathered around to open some gifts...

My parents have an upright piano at their house & Connor LOVES it. I'm sure when Kate realizes it's there she will be sitting next to him. So, mom thought it would be great for them both to have their own keyboards! I'm sure we'll be hearing lots of beautiful music at our houses - the kids LOVED them.


Kate trying out Connor's new basketball hoop.

At one point, I looked over & the kids had decided to try out each other's toys...

Connor wanted to share his tea with Uncle David...

Another great day with family! The next day we would head back to Longview without Kate! A kid-free vacation!!!

Christmas Day - Mitchell Family Christmas

After our morning at home, we headed over to the Mitchell's for David's family Christmas. We ate some breakfast & started opening presents around 11. It was a relaxing day hanging out with family.

The grandkids all LOVE to play under Granddad & Mimi's coffee table.

What is Christmas without a Snuggie???

David's dad with Grandma Vivian in the apron we gave her.

It did have the damper of some sickness - Ryan & Emily both got the stomach bug that was spreading through (Bethany had already had it). But, it was still a great time! By the time all presents & stockings were open it was after 5 in the afternoon!

Next up: Hayden Family Christmas!

Christmas Morning

One of the great things about our year to have Christmas Day at the Mitchell's is that we get to have Christmas morning at home! Technically last year was Kate's first Christmas, but she was just 13 days old, so it really felt like this year was her first.

We woke up on Christmas morning around 9 (Kate's Christmas present to mommy & daddy!) to open our gifts to each other.

Do you wonder where she gets that hair from??

This is the look we get when we tell Kate to smile these days!

First it was Kate's turn...

Kate with her presents

Opening presents with Daddy

with the pillow I made her

Then we opened our gifts...

Ok, let it be known, I am SPOILED by my husband. If you know us very well, you know I'm the money spender in our house. David is VERY careful with money & does a great job keeping our house on a good budget. But, when it comes to giving gifts, he is thoughtful & SO GIVING. This year was no different.

I have begged & talked endlessly about how EVERYONE has a DVR except us (do I sound like a teenager??). Well, even with a busted stomach, David went to the cable company the week before Christmas & upgraded our package and we now have DVR!!!
I am also now the proud owner of a Slap Chop! I can't WAIT to use it!!!
And the biggest surprise & splurge of all! A new MacBook! I'm typing on it as we speak and it is AMAZING! Our computer was beginning to show signs of dying, but I never expected us to get a Mac. Oh I dreamed, and I hoped...but never believed.

Next up: Christmas Day with the Mitchell's

Christmas Eve

After a crazy beginning to the week with David in the ER, we spent the rest of the week trying to get him well & visiting with his family. This was our year to be with them on Christmas day, so Mandy (his oldest sister) was in town along with both sets of grand parents, three aunts, and a few cousins! It was so great to see everyone!!!

Since David was still not in great shape, he didn't get to help lead the music at the Christmas Eve service like he has the past few years, but we attended, then headed back to the Mitchell's. We had a great dinner, sang Christmas carols around the piano, opened a few presents & enjoyed family.

We tried to get a few pictures of the Mitchell cousins in front of the Christmas Tree. The girls were having a great time...

Adrianna is saying "cheeeeese". Isn't she too cute??

Jack on the other hand...

I love how the girls are looking at him like he's crazy!

And our family shot...

And one of my precious little girl :)

12 Month Update

I backdated Kate's 12 month update so it would be in order

(even though I'm like almost a month behind!).

So, check it out

here.