Motivation...

We just booked a week-long beach vacation for our family for this summer. We are so excited and so thrilled to have something so wonderful to look forward to. I will look at these photos each day to motivate me to eat better (to look better in shorts and/or a swimsuit) and to spend carefully (so I will be able to save my pennies to pay for this beautiful condo and travel expenses.). It's so good to have something so fun and positive to look forward to! :) Here's to having positive goals....and such a wonderful reward at the end!

Maybe 2010...

...will be the year E goes on tour? What an act!

New Year's Eve....

Our little cheerleader is celebrating the

new year a bit early with her new pom poms

(which she affectionately calls "rah-rahs")

What every parent wants to hear...

...as a child opens a gift that was oh-so-carefully selected by the parent...

Christmas recap...

Christmas Eve ... a sweet time of quiet, beautiful snow, candlelight Christmas Eve service (complete with a drive to church in blinding, blowing snow), yummy snacks and eggnog, presents, Christmas dresses, Christmas jammies and wonderful family togetherness.

Christmas Day ... playing in the snow on a true Texas white Christmas, family time in pj's, delicious Christmas lunch at Gramma and Pa's house, more presents, naps and more wonderful family togetherness. Bliss!

I learned a new trick this year....

...put your gingerbread house together with hot glue instead of that gloppy frosting that comes in these kits. Save that to put on decorative candies. Hot glue helps assemble the house in a wink - and it's sturdy in no time at all and ready for little hands to decorate!

Daddy and me...