NETSYS Reunion

I got to do something really fun just before Christmas while visiting my parents in Northeast Texas. I went to a reunion of all my old church camp buddies! Now, I'm sure a lot of you are rolling your eyes right now, thinking what a geek I am--but I am serious! Most of my very best memories from childhood/teen are from church camp, or "NETSYS" (North East Texas Summer Youth Series). Several churches in the area came together for camp every summer, and the friendships made there were priceless, and lasting. So, my dad and I donned our camp t-shirts and had a blast! Poor Bryan (and Macie) accompanied me--he was a very good sport about being around a whole lot of people he didn't know! There were several people from my old youth group alone, so that was like a reunion within the reunion, so to speak. It was really fun to see how everyone has "grown up", married, had kiddos, etc...

Aven Christmas

We spent the few days before Christmas in Sulphur Springs (technically Yantis, Tx) with my parents. It is always a more relaxed time when we are there, out in the country, and the kids love playing outside or with Gran-Gran; and there is fishing, seeing Grandpa's cows, swimming (in the summer)--lots of fun things, especially for the kiddos. My Uncle Gary (Dad's baby brother) and my cousin Eric and his family came over for Sunday lunch. Eric's 2 girls were 2 of our flower girls, and now they are practically grown--wow! We feel old! We also went out to a neat place that had tons of christmas lights, Christmas wood cut-outs, live nativity scenes, and even Santa and Mrs. Claus, and we rode the little train--very fun! The weather was really cold, so we had hot chocolate and bundled up! I was also able to spend some time with

sweet friends that I miss, Mandy (Taylor) Braddy, and Stacy Miller.

Southeast Christmas Musical 2009

This Christmas both Callie and Jack were able to be involved with the Children's Christmas musical at church, especially Callie. She is old enough to be in the whole show, while Jack participated in the preschool song. Both of them did great. Callie had been practicing for several weeks, including spending several Sunday afternoons at the church with the group, rehearsing. The children were all different ornaments, either traditional, or "souveneir". Callie was an ornament from Germany--we borrowed the costume from our good friends in New Braunfels that participate in Wurstfest every year--perfect! She was so cute up on that stage! She remembered all the words to the songs, and all the moves, and looked so sweet.

Kid Night with Grammy and Papa

The same weekend as Bryan's birthday,

we got an invitation to watch the Aggies play basketball at the Toyota Center from box suite seats--an opportunity not to be missed! However, we were supposed to be keeping Zeke and Kaelyn for the night--so Grammy and Papa graciously offered to keep them for us! We felt pretty bad leaving them with all 4, but the kids have such a fun time together, and, we took Macie--piece of cake for them, right?! Fortunately, they did ok until we could return and help out!

Bryan's Birthday

Bryan celebrated his 35th bithday in December! Even though it's his birthday, the most fun part about it is watching the kids help him with his presents, and be so excited about their gifts to him! Macie enjoyed exploring the bags and wrapping. One of his neat gifts is a baseball pinball game--Jack is VERY in to that!

The Nutcracker

Callie and I have started a new tradition of seeing the Nutcracker every year. We go to the show put on by the Bay Area theater--they are excellent! Last year we went in the evening, and Callie got her picture with most of the performers; we went during the day this time, and there weren't as many photo opportunities, so Callie made up her own poses!

Life Group Christmas Party

Our life group celebrated Christmas with a get-together at the Jones'...yummy food, funny gifts, and lots of laughter! We are so blessed to be surrounded by our friends that we have come to love so much from Southeast..we thank God for putting them in our lives!

Breakfast With Santa

Every year our church has Breakfast with Santa--pancakes, fellowship, and photo op with Santa Claus. It's one of my favorite things because I love to see our kids and their cousins and friends be so excited about Santa, and do the crafts, and eat breakfast together--they are so cute! It was particularly fun this year for Macie's first christmas. At least this year, she is not afraid of the big man in the red suit--just sat and played with his beard!