Farewell, 2009

It's been quite a year. While there have been medical stresses, a game in which the Aggies were beat by 55 points, and other difficult times, we can't overlook all the good 2009 held. We look forward to 2010 and all the exciting changes that it will hold...a move, school changes, and hopefully health and happiness. Our love to you - and our wishes that 2010 is your best year yet.

Catching Up

2007

2008

2009

This is only my third Christmas season, but the only one so far that I have managed to dodge the mysterious post-Christmasitis illness. While I haven't gotten sick, I am quite exhausted. I have slept until 10:30, then 11:00 and then 11:30 the past three mornings. Mommy is concerned I may not even wake up tomorrow!

The Best Part of this Week

Even though she lives in Pennsylvania, Anya is a cowgirl at heart!

You can't visit Texas without some chicken-fried steak.

We had the most wonderful treat this week. My cousin Anya came for a visit (she brought Uncle Van and Aunt Lucy with her, too). She is five years old, so it was like having a big sister around for the week (and just like siblings, a few squabbles, but mostly just fun). I became very attached to her, uttering "Anya" as my first word of each day and staking claim to her by declaring "My Anya". We played dolls, doctor, dollhouse, made things with Play-Doh, took baths together, read books, played dress-up, went to the park... She lives in Pittsburgh, so I don't get to see her often enough. I sure liked having her here...Uncle Van and Aunt Lucy, would you consider moving here?

The Eight-Hour Cookies

While Mommy did get a horse-shaped cutter, she did not get horse-colored dye, so Anya had to be creative with mixing colors.

I, of course, was more interested in eating the icing than using it to decorate the cookies.

The Finished Products

Callie stopped by for a visit and got a treat!

Mommy found a horse-shaped cookie cutter (Anya LOVES horses) and decided that we should make decorated sugar cookies while Anya was here. Instead of taking any shortcuts, we made the multiple-stepped, time-consuming, but well-worth-it version. After doing it, Mommy was reminded that the $3 decorated cookies at the bakery are worth every penny. She also knows that if we had bought cookies, we would have missed the excitement, the flour explosion (quite funny) and the pride over a job well done...not to mention ours tasted better!

New Boots

Anya received new boots for Christmas and guess who was lucky

enough to receive her old ones?

One Month Shy of Three

Dearest Victoria Pearl,

My sweetheart, how can it be possible that I am already planning your third birthday party? Although you will always be my baby, there is no denying that you are officially a little girl.

I have always loved this time of year, but it is even more exciting with you around. I don't know how much you really understood about Christmas this year, but you definitely enjoyed unwrapping your presents and anyone else's who would let you. And, of course, you loved being around family and friends. Your hugs make people smile and as someone said, "She makes me feel special!" What a gift that is to give someone - may you always have the desire and ability to make people feel special. I know I feel special and fortunate to be your mommy.

Another reason I love this time of year is you are out of school for several weeks, so we get to spend more time together. It's a relaxed, unscheduled time and ohhhh soooo nice! I know soon enough you will be going to school every day, so I want to relish this time with you. I have to be reminded sometimes to slow down and not worry so much about the house being clean or the laundry getting done or cooking dinner, and instead just be in the moment with you. If I have learned anything in these almost three years, it is that time passes too quickly.

I love you,

Mommy

Disney LIVE!

Mommy took me to The Erwin Center this afternoon to see a Disney Live show. Mickey, Minnie and the gang put on a talent show. Participants included Cinderella, Buzz Lightyear & Woody and Tigger. There was lots of singing and dancing, and I had a great time. I even got some popcorn. Mommy's camera wasn't working, so there are no photos.

Christmas Part Three

On Wednesday we headed to Houston to celebrate with Daddy's family. Uncle Larry & Aunt Celia are always so welcoming, and we have a great time there. Since so many family members were there, we had some family photos taken, which I'll post when we get them. Santa found me and did bring my Bitty Baby!

Christmas Part Two

The stomach bug has reached well beyond the confines of our house, so the second round of Christmas was affected. This is the round we celebrate with my older siblings and their families. There is always a lot of food, a lot of presents, and a lot of fantasy football talk (have I mentioned Daddy is in the play-off...for the first time ever?). Even though everyone was sick at different times, we celebrated in stages, thus prolonging the FUN! I received a bathtub for a Bitty Baby. Maybe Santa will bring me my Bitty Baby so I can bathe her in the tub.

Christmas Part One

This year's Christmas swing started last weekend with a trip to Bryan to see Mommy's family. My Uncle Randy moved to a house with lots of room to run and woods to explore. They even cut down their own Christmas tree. I could have stayed outside all day! While we were there, my cousins Anna and Garland were in a dance show called, How the Grinch Became an Aggie. They wore fancy costumes and had glitter all over them...how cool!