Riverwalk and resolutions

Jamie and I stayed up last night writing our resolutions in our journals. Jamie wrote 11 so I copied some of hers to start. Since we moved here, I have always wanted to go to Riverwalk to see the lights. We are finally going tonight for our 12th anniversary. It will be packed but hope it will be worth it. Music and fireworks! The kids are staying home with Grandma so we can be hands free!

Fort and Crafts

Jamie has had a runny nose but no fever. She asked us to make the fort so she could hide and read. Anne liked it too. Now she is making crafts from the giant pipe cleaner party box we found at Tuesday Morning. Living room is put back together now for the new year.

Christmas Lights 2010

Christmas Lights - Cedar Park We found Chianti Court at the end of our tour.

Christmas is over and the Tree is down

This afternoon Anne took a soft bat to the tree while we were doing dishes. About 1/3 of the ornaments were off by the time we saw it so James packed up the rest and took down the tree while we were shopping at 1/2 price books and Tuesday morning.

Game and Movie Day

Game and movie day with cousins

Broken Hallelujah

Broken Hallelujah: sang it twice at church this week: With all my love and sadness, I come before you Lord, My heart's in a thousand pieces, maybe even more, Yet I trust in this moment, that you are with me somehow, and You've always been faithful so Lord even now. When all that I can sing is a broken hallelujah, when my only offering is shattered praise, still a song of adoration will rise up from these ruins, still I will worship you and give you thanks. When all that I can sing is a broken Hallelujah. Oh Father you have given me much more than I deserve, I have felt your hand of blessing on me at every turn. How could I doubt your goodness, your wisdom, your grace. So Lord hear my heart in this painful place. Hallelujah! I lift my voice, your spirit moves, I raise my hands, I reach for you. . .

Day after Christmas - playing and dressup

Day after Christmas play

Light Sabers

Light Sabers

Christmas pictures at Grandma's house

Watkins Family Christmas

Our family Christmas photos

Family Christmas photos 2010

Anne's Christmas pictures

Anne's Christmas pictures 2010

Jamie's Christmas pictures

Christmas pictures 2010

Anne with Santa at Seaworld

Christmas Eve

Michelle and Sha came over for Christmas Eve. Jacky let us borrow some aprons. The firecrackers had crowns in it.

Seaworld - Christmas Market

Seaworld - Christmas market

Seaworld - Sesame Street Christmas show

Seaworld - Sesame Street Christmas show

Seaworld's Candy Cane Forest

Seaworld - Candy Cane Forest

Seaworld photos

Seaworld decorations

Chocolate cake

While Jamie tried on more dresses, I came home and had a cup of tea with a coworker. And I made a holiday chocolate cake. We had a big seafood dinner that night with Michelle and Andre and ended with this cake.

Daydreaming . . . Black & White Dress

We spent several hours helping Michelle try on dresses again Wednesday. Sha and Jamie were with us this time. Sha liked this black and white one. Jamie liked looking through the bride catalogs . . . daydreaming. Jamie tried on bridesmaid dresses too. Michelle likes the jade color best for the bridesmaids.

Horses for Christmas visit

horses

Christmas Tree at the Domain

One day we drove by to get Anne some new shoes and saw this huge tree at the Domain. WOW!

Girl Scouts

A few weeks ago on a Friday night, the girl scouts had a game night at the nursing home. Finally downloading pictures off that phone. Here is a Christmas village they had on display there.

Cookies at our house

After church today we had cookies at our house. Grandpa Steve Watkins ended up in the hospital with an infected leg. They all went to visit him and wait for test results.

White Elephant Gifts

We came home with a holiday scarf the kids love and a candle lantern. Some of the items were stolen and traded. But it was good fun. We took a huge black Corvette - the lady hosting had asked for a car. One of the kids went home with that.

Ball Heaven

Anne wore her new Tinkerbell pjs to the party and loved the ball heaven upstairs.

Saturday night Common Ground party

We spent Saturday baking treats and cookies for a dessert buffet where we could bring home a box of goodies. We finally made the poor man turtles but added M&Ms to it instead of nuts.

Friday night

Friday night we dropped Jamie off to spend time at Main Event with her friend Maria to say goodbye. Then we took Great Grandpa Helms to eat at Golden Corral. On one of my phones I have a picture of them eating cookies and cream ice cream. To be posted later.

Then James and I went to go see a movie. His work was going to see Tron - by the time we got there it was sold out. We went to 3 movie theaters - all sold out. We ended up going to see the new Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader movie in 3D at Gateway. We have read all the books and listened to them on CD as well over the years.

Wedding dresses

On Friday afternoon, I called to check on Michelle. I told her I am off for the next few weeks. She told me she was at David's Bridal shop and asked me if I wanted to meet her there. Grandma had the kids so I drove straight there. She tried on about 8 dresses - all beautiful. We are still downloading all of them off our phones. Here is a sample. I cried when I first saw her in front of the mirror with the veil on. She told me she wants to be married at Hillcrest Baptist. We talked about her wedding plans and ideas while sitting in the hospital about 2 weeks ago. Only God knew where we would be in a few short weeks. I feel like I have been on an emotional roller coaster. What an honor to share this time with my niece.

Grandma's Christmas Tree adventure

While I was at work on Friday, Grandma took the girls to see Aunt Christine and her pigs/hogs. They collected eggs. She got a picture of them with Great Grandpa Helms. Then they rode over to look at Christmas trees - I see a hayride and maze. Will have to get a picture of the tree when we go over on Saturday.

Work party/wish list

On Friday morning at our work party gift exchange, I received a lovely vanilla jasmine bath basket. Holiday relaxation in a box.

Game

We played a Christmas caroling guessing game at one house. I knew most of the answers from previous years so Natasha and I were partners and winners.