Christmas Card

Wishing you and your family the joy that comes from celebrating Jesus this Christmas!
Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Photo Card

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Christmas Play

The twins had their first Christmas play at school last week.  When I say play what I really mean is they sang two songs to the CD player and rang some jingle bells, but they sure looked cute in their elf hats!  So without further delay, here's their debut...



Aggie Football

Since it is Heisman Saturday, I thought I'd add a few Fightin' Texas Aggie Football pics to the blog!
The Saturday after Thanksgiving we took all three boys to the A&M vs. Mizzou game.  Considering it was a night game, we had traveled ALL over the Houston area that week, and it was cold they did surprisingly well. 
 

Look at that smile!  So excited to be at his first Aggie game.

My favorite Aggie men. 

Levi waiting on the extra point to be kicked, hoping to catch the football.  (We weren't even close)

Luke has his gig 'em down.

My sweet little, brainwashed family.  Hey at least I can admit it!

 

 

We all had a great time at the game.  It sure helps that the Aggies look awesome this year (and in a few hours should have a Heisman winner).  I'll have to say the game left quite the impression on the twins.  The next morning as I was getting ready for church I heard them playing in the living room.  Luke was organizing and told Levi, "I'll be the Aggie football player and you be the band."  After which I immediately heard marching and kazoo playing!  To which I simply reply, WHOOP!! 

Thanks and Gig 'em.  

 

 

Thankful Tree

I was talking with a friend over the weekend about how hard it is to really teach kids about Thanksgiving.  Last year we started hunting for things to help alleviate this problem.  One tradition that has really helped us is the Thankful Tree. 

This month we've been memorizing James 1:17 "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father of Lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."  I want our kids to be thankful, but more than that I want them to know who receives our thanks.

Each day, we add a new leaf to tree that has something we are thankful God has given us.  Before putting them on the tree, we each take turns praying, telling God thank you and why we are thankful.  I have to say, I've seen such a change from one year to the next.  Last year we listed every toy imaginable as well as some friends and family.  This year, I have seen so many more mentions of family and friends.  Now don't get me wrong, we do have Luke's frog (it's fake), the train table, each kazoo, race cars, Titus' night-night (he only has three leaves because of his very limited vocabulary) and even chocolate (I'm thankful for this one too!), but they've mentioned each of their brothers, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends much more often! 

I love this tradition, and plan on keeping it around.  It is such a simple idea, yet gives me a glimpse at all of our hearts and what we are treasuring most of all.

Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours!

Happy Halloween?

I realize this is the week of Thanksgiving, but I'm a little behind.  One day I'll catch up...
This year the twins gave a lot of feed back on what they wanted to dress as for Halloween.  On several donut dates our conversations revolved around countless possibilities.  After much debate they settled on a crew from Jake and the Neverland Pirates (I know but Peter Pan is so old school)!
Levi decided he would be Jake, Luke really loved the idea of the "Tic-Toc Croc," and they decided Titus would need to be Captain Hook.

 

If you notice the above mentioned costumes aren't exactly correct.  You see, once Luke put on the crocodile costume he was less than thrilled.  The benefit of ordering everyone the same size....you can switch them around and the toddler that cannot talk yet gets whatever is left!  It's a win-win for all!  :)

 

That evening we sat in the drive way after we did our own trick-or-treating, and I asked the twins what they thought about Halloween.  Levi's response (with a mouth full of chocolate) was "YUMMY!!" 

Captain Hook

 



Jake the Pirate



 

The Tic-Toc Croc

 

 

Dewberry Farms

A couple of weeks ago we took the kids to Dewberry Farms to celebrate Nona J's birthday. How cool is a grandma that wants to celebrate her birthday by taking the boys to a farm!?!?
The kids had a blast riding a hay ride to the pumpkin patch, playing in a mountain of hay, and tackling a very tall slide with dad, plus they got to hang with Nona J and Papaw for the day.
Here a just a few pics from our day.

Donut dates

Last month we started a new tradition and I think it is one of my favorites. Every Friday morning I get to just take ONE (huge treat for me!) of the twins on a donut date for breakfast while the other boys hang at home with dad for "man time." The twins really call it man time so I rarely inquire as to what they really do, although when I get home it always seems relatively harmless.
One on one time with the twins has always been so hard for us to figure out. What I'm discovering though is that just like anything else we have to be intentional and purposeful, all of which takes work and communication. However, even with crazy schedules it can be done. I'm so grateful for these "dates" with my boys.