New Photographer

We have a new photographer in the family...Grace. She, of course, loves to play with everything that she isn't supposed to. But recently, she started picking up the camera and actually using it correctly?

Last night, she got the camera and started taking pictures of the neighbor's backyard after she saw a prospective buyer doing the same. We took the opportunity to have some family photographs taken of ourselves. Thanks Grace!!

Mississippi Bound

Last month when a friend posted pictures of the new Mississippi Children's Museum on Facebook, I knew that would be a perfect trip for Grace and I to take together. I could see and visit my friend and her family whom I haven't seen in over 4 years. And Grace could play with her 2 boys (ages 6 1/2 and 3) and get to go to the museum. Not to mention be able to fly and spend a whole weekend with Mommy only.

We had such a good time. The Carters were no strangers to Grace. From the moment she sat in their car in a new place amongst 4 strangers, she was teasing and laughing with Bennett.

They had a blast at the museum. Bennett stayed with her on all the slides that she wanted to go on over and over again. And helped us keep an eye on her.



Back at home, Henry took her on a ride showing off his car as well as driving skills.

Looking at these kids, you would think they were related!

Oscar the Grouch

Claire and Oscar have something in common. Definitely NOT the personality of a grouch, however she LOVES trash!

If she is left to her own devices, she opens the trash drawer and digs for trash. Her preference is to get the coke cans. Then she'll walk up to me with a huge grin on her face obviously waiting for my reaction.

She likes to put stuff in the trash can too. I was missing her pacifier and finally found it in the trash.


She may have a bright future. There are big bucks in waste management.

Christmas in a Nutshell

This may end up being a LARGE nutshell, but nonetheless, life has been crazy around here with the girls and I have had no time to update about Christmas.

The weekend before Christmas, we celebrated in San Antonio with all of Steve's family. The girls were so spoiled and had such a good with their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.






We baked and decorated gingerbread men.




Steve worked Christmas Eve and Day, but made it home for a few hours to enjoy our traditional Christmas Eve dinner of tamales, rice and beans.


The girls opened pajamas that the Elf brought them.



Then sprinkled reindeer food on the grass. Grace didn't nap that day (see the look above?) so was asleep before we could set out cookies for Santa.

This was the first Christmas that Grace hasn't been in a crib so it was fun to see her come out and see all the gifts Santa left.







Then the day after Christmas, my parents came and we did it all over again.





Now, Grace is back in school and Claire and I are spending some much needed one on one time together. Whew!

Happy New Year!!