Daniel and the Lion's Den

This past week, Kate's K3 class led chapel at DC. They were precious! Tyler played Daniel and did such a great job..so cute! Kate got to hold the American flag while saying the Pledge of Allegiance. We really enjoyed going to big chapel...such a neat neat school. I think I would rather go without another pair of shoes forever (would probably take a little more than that :)) than Kate not getting to go there. I just love it.
The little Lions GROWLING!

My precious little Lion.

Mrs. Conner and Kate...she is fabulous and we are so grateful for her.

Foster and Pops...Luckenbach

The last time we were in Blanco, we went with Pops to get some food for the deer feeders. As we were leaving the house, Pops says to Foster, "cowboy up Foster, we're going to Luckenbach." Of course dad had a lot to say about the hat Foster was wearing...he didn't seem to think that was a hat for the hill country...not sure why??? Foster had a great time and Pops wanted a pic with Fos in front of Hondo...the original of the Luckenbach store. I would imagine dad had lots of fun in Luckenbach, growing up nearby. After stopping in "uptown Luckenbach" for deer feed, we visited dad's cousin who has built his home into a cliff in the hill country. It is magnificent and has so many neat things all done by the owners. The hand carving up the staircase, ceilings made of wood from Utah, and beautiful green ivy gazebo type entrance to name a few. We had a nice visit as his wife as she was putting up what looked like hundreds, maybe thousands "Christopher Radko" ornaments...beautiful!
The famous "bar" in Luckenbach.
One of many of Kate and Foster's trips up to the barn..they sure love playing up there. Pops kept Foster for us and loves that while they were in the barn, Pops asked Foster, "where are the elk?" Foster answered with a grunt and a point right at them. I am sure Fos will have many hunting trips with Pops. Pops loves to walk Foster around and talk with him about the birds. Dad is an avid "bird watcher" to say the least!

Mommy and Foster

I just love this picture!

Oops...a little late Christmas

Every night before bed or even before our naps, Foster gives Kate a kiss. This is just one of the many he has given Kate. His kisses went from a large open wide mouth kiss that was most definitely slobbery to a closed mouth kiss with a precious kissing sound...mmmmm. I love it. He loves his big sister and we are constantly reminding her of her important job as a big sister..her example and the fact that God chose her to be his big sister out of all the sisters in the world...God chose her!

Kate and Mommy after making our christmas gingerbread house. Kate loves to do this each year. I am sure Foster will help us next year.

Lily and Kate...precious.

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.