A Morning Hike

I love that I'm a teacher and have lots of vacation time throughout the year. Christmas break is no exception! Andrew and I have always had opposite working schedules. The busiest times at the golf course are the weekends so he has to work, and of course I'm off on the weekends. It doesn't give us a lot of days where we can spend the entire day together as a family, so on vacation weeks like these we're all about getting out of the house and trying something fun and new. Yesterday, we went for a hike with Taylor to Hamilton Pool. Taylor and Andrew have already made one excursion to Hamilton Pool on a Daddy Day, so finally I was able to go too! We picked a great day, sunny and warm. What a beautiful Austin area gem in the middle of nowhere.

Taylor loves hiking (or should I say "jumping"). He loved jumping down off of all the steps and rocks! He is so busy and active these days it's hard to hold him back for safety reasons. He is just happy as a clam to "go,go,go" not even realizing that his feet are not keeping up with him. With the help of our hands (when he would take it) and a little bit of carrying, Taylor made it all the way down and back up! His favorite part was throwing rocks into the pool. Props to Andrew for some awesome rock skipping! We all stayed dry and mud free so mommy was happy! Can't wait to go back when we're not in such a drought and the waterfalls are more prominent.

Enjoy the pictures:-)

The Christmas Loot...

A picture of all the BIG presents from the grandparents and from Santa. We actually managed to fit it all in the car back from Houston! We spent Christmas Eve in Austin with my mom and then woke up Christmas morning to see what Santa had brought. After breakfast and a few laps around the house on Taylor's new trike, we headed to Houston for Christmas (and more presents) at Andrew's sister's house. The following day was Boxing Day and that was spent at Andrew's mom's house...more presents there!! We had some delicious brunches, dinners, and wine! It was a great Christmas and Taylor thoroughly enjoyed himself..."more Christmas, more presents"!!! Only 362 more days until Christmas 2009. Thanks you to everyone!

Which present can I open first?

Opening my stocking on Christmas morning.

My First Trike!

Does Santa come through the doggie door???

Watch Out Tiger Woods...

Here Comes Pro-Golfer Taylor Michael Curtis-Wellings (I think we should definitely get extra points for practicing in 30 degree weather-not by my choice of course!) Stick with the video, it takes him awhile to get set up to his satisfaction:-)

From Mommy to Mom to Mother

MOTHERS

Real Mothers don't eat quiche; they don't have time to make it. Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils are probably in the sandbox. Real Mothers often have sticky floors, filthy ovens and happy kids. Real Mothers know that dried play dough doesn't come out of carpets. Real Mothers don't want to know what the vacuum just sucked up. Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?' and get their answer when a little voice says, 'because I love you best.' Real Mothers know that a child's growth is not measured by height or years or grade...It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother...

4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!

8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!
12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.
14 YEARS OF AGE - Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.
16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's hopelessly old fashioned.
18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date!
25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it.

35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.

45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?

65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!