Small Group Christmas Party 2010

We had our small group Christmas party last night and it was great! I'm so thankful for these girls and our awesome small group. We just started meeting this fall and it has really been a blessing to get to know all of these couples and kids and dogs. It's amazing what a difference a few believers can have on your life. It's a breath of fresh air to have support from other moms and women that come from a similar heart for Christ. Out of the five of us in the picture, 4 of us have just moved to Victoria in the past few years. We are all adjusting to Victoria or life, but either way, we are all enjoying the fellowship.

me, casey, caroline, katie, and amy

Getting in the Spirit

Just thinking about how this is Hudson's 5th picture with Santa. Major has 3 under his belt! Wow, that seems like a lot. It's an adventure every time. I noticed this year that Hudson was intimidated by Santa. I guess he is starting to understand the weight the big man pulls when it come to presents and Christmas morning. He was shy about it all but in the end told Santa what was on his mind. Major thought Santa was pretty cool. He gave him 5 a couple of times. Neither one of them wanted to take this picture. I was determined and ended up with a couple of smiles in the wrong direction. I guess that's better than screams at the camera. We did have a couple of pictures like that too. I decided to go with the smiles and I'm glad I did. They are looking at me humiliating myself in the middle of the mall. It's the Victoria mall though so I'm not too concerned. Or maybe I should be because, chances are that 5 people I know walked by while I was doing my, "smile at the camera, or else" dance.

Thanksgiving 2010

Reed, Julie, Conner, and Emily came to Victoria for Thanksgiving this year. They got here Wednesday and we played outside and enjoyed the beautiful weather. It was so fun to all be in the same house and just do our own thing. We planned Thanksgiving lunch at Victoria Country Club and Julie and I made lots of snacks and munchies to get us by between meals. It really was relaxing. Julie and I got to sneak out to do some black Friday shopping. I'm so thankful for all of our family and the natural support system that God has built into our lives. It's more than I could ask for.

Conner, Hudson and Emily

ping pong in the garage

sitting down to enjoy our Thanksgiving feast

we were there for awhile so the iPhone came out to entertain

dessert for Hudson

We just decided to get one of every dessert and share... okay we got more than one of each. Yumm

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

We played around on the golf course after lunch and this is a picture of a race between the boys. Major decided to plow Hudson over and so he did. It's rough out there.

rolling down the hills

takin' it easy

Major kept carrying this pumpkin around and using it as a stepping stool to get snacks, movies, etc... hilarious

If there was a "strongest man" contest for 2 year olds, I would enter Major :)

Moments with My Boys

Rodeo

One of our small group friends invited us out to their family ranch for a rodeo. They have western lessons and rodeo events lessons for the kids. This was the rodeo for the kids to compete and show their parents their skills. It was fun to watch the kids running those horses like crazy. Very cool!

Anna and Hudson

playing in the dirt

Major climbing and checking out the scene

PDS Thanksgiving feast 2010

Here are the Indians marching in with vest, feather headdress and tom-toms. It was so cute to arrive before Hudson spotted us so we got to see him in full Indian character. Hudson's Indian name was "Jumping Horse." Major did walk in with his class but did not have on the cute shirt his teachers made him. His Indian name was "Lion Heart." It was sweet and the feast was moved outdoors last minute to accommodate a funeral the church had at the same time. The teachers did a great job and I liked it being outside. It was a beautiful day made even more special by my mom being there. RayRay got to join in the fun and the boys loved it!

Hudson -- "Jumping Horse"

Jumping Horse with his class

His feather said, "I am thankful for my dog and cats."

note... we have not cats ??? never have, never will :)

Major -- "Lion Heart" and RayRay

My mom came in town Thursday night and we went to the feast Friday. Before the feast we went to breakfast at Ramsey's and witnessed a lady's 92nd birthday. It was so cute and our whole section of the restaurant sang her Happy Birthday. It was a classic Victoria moment that I'm glad my mom witnessed. It's just hard to describe the feel of this town unless you experience it. Such a small town mentality even though it isn't tiny. It's so secluded from a big city, it just has it's own character. I left my mom with the boys and met Stephen in Rockport for an overnight conference with his dealership people and came back the next morning to join up with my mom again. It was special to have my mom there and I'm so thankful for her making the effort. It's always nice to have my mom here and it's just so encouraging to have fun and play all together. Thank you mom!

Livesay -- Klam -- Halloween Party 2010

I actually think this picture is on the way to their school Halloween parties. As you can see, Hudson is Woody and as you cannot see, Major is Buzz. Oh, that doesn't look like Buzz Lightyear in the background because Buzz wouldn't wear his costume. He never did. Not to school or anything else. Stay tooned for more pictures of Major not dressed as Buzz...

Livesay -- Klam Halloween Party pics 2010

entryway with crazy Halloween tree

mummy dogs

kids table with cups of snacks, drinks, and treats

our firsts guests at the playdough table

ben and stephen

stephen and ben battling it out

major not in his costume (do I seem bitter? maybe a little)

trick or treating in the hood with friends

gladiator costumes were to die for

woody was working hard for the candy

part of our crew trick or treating

Tai and I decided to have a Halloween party a couple of months ago and I'm glad we did. It was a lot of work for the two of us and we invited a lot of friends. I didn't take a lot of pictures of the party in action but it was fun and their were cute little kiddos playing everywhere. Next year Major will be dressed as Buzz due to the pristine condition of the costume, as it has only hung in his closet and never seen the light of day. I love you Major.

Dove Hunting with Dad

Hudson went on his first dove hunt and this is him with his dove. Stephen and Hudson had so much fun and i just think the camo and redneck nature of it all is precious. Here's to having a house full of boys...

VCC Halloween