Christmas Pajama Party

"Girls" and "Boys"

We got to be a part of such a neat tradition this year! We had so much fun at the Christmas PJ party at the Edmonds where everyone wears their christmas pajamas. All the kids gather in the garage to create their own christmas ornament that will be a part of our Christmas trees forever!!! This pic is of all the kiddos from each family, exluding sweet Caroline (she didn't want her pic made) and Foster who just couldn't stay up any longer. These three families are just about three of our favorites!!! We love them all! We are grateful that we got to join them!

Kate, Caroline, and Halle decorating their little ornaments.

What special ornaments. Kate decorated all four and she got a little happy with the glitter! I think we might start collecting it now for next year!
Kate decorated Foster's ornament too.

Christmas In Blanco

Kate's favorite things....walkie-talkies and her baby, Lucy.

Kate's favorite thing...her baby named Lucy.

It's time to start opening presents from Kekie and Pops!

Zachary, Graham, and Kate having fun watching the Christmas Parade in Blanco.

Foster enoyed it too and what is special is that he is named after my grandfather, Foster Carroll who was born in this house over 100 years ago and lived there his whole life. I always said I would love to name my son Foster! My dad's middle name is Foster as well.

This pic was taken in the barn where my parents had a Smith cousin Christmas. In the background behind my dad were pictures hanging from when my dad and his cousins were children enjoying Christmas around the very same fireplace that we enjoy today. In addition, there are several framed and enlarged letters to Santa written there by some of the cousins who attended....one of which is now in her late 70's.

Kate loves playing with cousin Zachary!

This is the wonderful litte home where my parents now reside, where my grandfather was born and raised with ten siblings, and where my father was raised with four siblings. My parents are making this into a bed and breakfast. It is very cozy and cute with lots of history. They have done a lot of work so if you ever visit the Texas Hill Country, look them up. They would love to have you! You will have a great time only if you are ready for a beautiful country setting in the hills where the simple things in life are enjoyed! Kate loves to go visit and as you can see, she and Kekie are making cookies together. Her favorite part of course is licking the beaters! We had a great time with my brother and his family.

Dallas Christian State Game

Matt suggested that I wear his DC High School Jersey and so Laura and I both wore our husbands jerseys. They were the studs back then....they still are!!! :) We had fun caravanning down to Temple where the Chargers Won State! We enjoyed watching Collin Edmonds play for a little bit and Laurie yelling as loud as she could to hit somebody during the play he was in the game. We will look forward to seeing him play the next two years!!! Fun Times!

Foster, Daddy, Kate, and Poppy! The kids did great!

Kate, Caroline, and Hudson playing while the chargers were winning! Go Chargers!

Kate in Mrs. Conner's Class

They each decorated their "coat of many colors."

Kate and some of her preschool friends singing one of the 90 songs that Mrs. Conner has taught them. We love hearing those songs and she truly has taught them 90 different songs this year and the year is only half-way over.

Mrs. Conner's Crew! I am so glad Kate is a part of that crew! What a blessing!

How Precious...Kids Under Construction!

Foster's First Birthday Party!

I cannot believe how long it's been since I've blogged. I looked up and the month of November is over. Since the last time I've blogged, I've traveled with our business to Canton, Jackson MS, Austin, and now Canton again. I've been home one week in the month of November. I have truly missed my children and family. However, I am truly grateful for this job. It is the best eventhough it requires travel and weekends. The following pics are from Foster's birthday party on the 14th! It was pretty crazy with only family here...twelve of them being cousins! It was lots of fun and although Fos' isn't talking just yet, he can finally sign "more" and "all finished;" he will do whatever you tell him and he gives luscious big-mouth kisses!!! I don't know what it is about boys...they catch on a bit slower than girls or maybe Kate was just exceptional. Foster is walking and has been since a week before his birthday. Actually, my parents kept him while I worked in Jackson at one of our shows and when he returned to us, he was walking...CRAZY! Enjoy!

This was the end of the night and he was ready for bed!

Uncle Brandon (my brother)!

Nani and Fos!

My parents and Fos!

Sweet Caroline, Kate and Miss Laurie!

My Sweet Foster's First Birthday has come and gone!

Grandmothers and Kiddos!

Kekie and Nani with Belle and the Lion!

Halloween 2008

We had fun "trick or treating" with our sweet friends, The Wades and The Andrews. Kate was "Belle" and Foster was a "Roaring Lion"

This is when we started before Fos nearly flipped out of the stroller onto his head! Thankfully daddy caught him!

Fos was getting so sleepy!

Hudson and Foster taking a break; trick or treating too (above). Kate and Caroline

Halle, Caroline, and Campbell

Miss Letha and Kate...this is Foster's babysitter and she is the best ever!!! We love her! We went to visit her at the end of the night and Kate was just a little afraid since she had a fog machine, music playing, bats flying, Mr. Donny (her husband) hiding out in the trees and Miss Laura (her daughter) dressed up too. They were very festive! Kate got some great treats from Miss Letha! Foster was long asleep in the car.

Little Emily and Kate

Cousin Emily spent the night with us last night and Kate loved having her read stories before bed. The picture you see below is Emily as a baby and here she is today.

Ten Years Ago...ACU Graduation

It's hard to believe that it's been ten years since we graduated from college. Wow! Time Flies!!! This past Friday our family along with Matt's parents, Nani and Poppy traveled to Abilene for our ten year reunion. It was lots of fun and brought back many special memories. Let me fill you in on a little history...Matt's parents both attended ACU and his dad played football there. He was then drafted by the Los Angeles Rams and then went on to play for the New Orleans Saints. I think that is pretty neat. So, they saw many old friends too. We had fun going to the carnival on Friday night, attending our early morning breakfasts on Saturday for the clubs we were a part of, aka fraternity or sorority (they aren't national so they are called social clubs). After the breakfast, we had fun seeing all the floats at the parade and the kids loved it too. The theme this year was Elvis. We then went to Homecoming Chapel which was so wonderful. I loved attending chapel as a student and I love it today. The singing is amazing and every "special occasion" chapel is closed with the song, "The Lord Bless You and Keep You." It was great...however very different now having children there with us. We enjoyed the football game that afternoon and that's the first time I've ever seen an ACU game packed! It was great to see that spirit...guess people want to come when you're winning! We had tons of fun and enjoyed our special weekend at such a special place! We love ACU! Below, I scanned in some old pictures from when we graduated ten years ago and then posted pics from the weekend. It sure is fun to see how things have changed.

Miss Emily and baby Emily ten years ago. Baby Emily is Matt's sister's youngest girl.

Matt and I, Laurie and Gary and Miss Emily then.

ACU Graduation Day 1998

Ten Years Later...ACU Homecoming

ACU Homecoming 2008.

Just one of the new things on campus... Jacob's Ladder. This is the monument representing the story of Jacob having a dream about the stairway to heaven...God says I am watching over you Jacob and all this land will belong to you. Genesis 28

This is at Jacob's Ladder on campus. So many new things and new buildings now.

Miss Emily (check out her pic above from ten years ago), Foster, and I at the 6:30 a.m. Siggie Breakfast! Em's 1 year reunion and my 10 year reunion! Emily and I pledged the same club so it was nice having her to go to breakfast with this year. Thanks Em for picking us up for breakfast.

Miss Emily and Kate

The ACU Wildcat!

What is that Fos?

Just a little apprehensive!

Kate hugging the Wildcat!