Poor Broken Buddah,

Amanda sent me this cute statue for my living room.  When I opened the package it was in lots and lots of pieces (I stopped counting at 64).  I patiently put the front together so I could see what he looks like, but gave up when none of the back pieces seemed to work.  So here he sits in the garbage with the apples that were so pretty outside but all brown and inside, and half of a nerf football - boo got to the other half.  

We had one strange visitor......

I don't know for sure where this strange little critter came from - Is it Cousin It's less hairy brother? Is it ET, returned to earth. Oh wait - It's KK. What a funny little guy.

Babies and Boo

I love watching the kids with the dog. Boo gets shut outside when we have company so he doesn't jump on the babies and knock them down - but they still want to play with him. So they play through the door. Dani started and KK joined her, teaching her the "proper" method of playing with Boo. It was fun to see how he would demonstrate and then watch to see if she copied him. KK has always loved his cousin, and Dani thinks he's great as well.

Christmas 2008 has come and gone, but the memories remain...

This year we were a bit more laid back.  We didn't gather to open presents until 11am - quite a change from the normal 7am.  Debbie and James, Xavier's aunt and cousin, visited again.  It's always nice to have them.  Joel and Paul also came for dinner.  Danny made the most amazing prime rib roast - a whopping 15 pounder that he cooked to perfection.  We had rolls, mashed potatoes with gravy, asparagus, green beans cooked with bacon, spinach strawberry salad, cheesecake and pie.    Needless to say, no one went away hungry.  We said Happy Birthday to Greg and sent him home with a spiral sliced ham - traditions must be observed!  After dinner everyone pitched in so I got to rest - it was so wonderful to see everyone and to share this season.  Games were played, songs sung, a little basketball viewing, and lots of love.   We missed the ones who were far away, but hopefully we'll see them soon.

Happy Birthday Tyson

Tyson celebrated at a gymnastic club. The kids flipped, jumped, ran, giggled, and basically took the place over and had a blast. The giant pit of sponge squares was a big hit. So much that even some of the adults just had to get in on the action. When the kids jumped they landed on the top of the sponges and fought to get to the edge and get out. When John and Xavier jumped they disappeared from sight and had to struggle to the top of the sponges before they could pull themselves out. It was amazing to watch. After the fun, everyone had pizza and ate Incredible Hulk cake and cupcakes. Those kids will sleep tonight!!

A New Calf!!

This girl posed for the picture and then went right back to eating.

They didn't even wait to be invited!  Just moved in and started eating.

We took four giant rolls of hay out with us and the "girls" didn't even wait for us to turn off the truck before they started in eating right off the trailer.  We had to coax them into the pen with cubed feed so Danny could use the tractor to unload two of the bails and get them safely inside.  Last time he tried to store them outside in a pen and the cows just broke the fence and ate all the hay, leaving behind only their "little gifts" on the empty trailer.  

Tree is trimmed - house is decorated

One of my newest favorite ornaments

Beezer and Callie did a great job making our home all festive and Christmasy.  The nativity sets are up, mixed with some Santas and snowmen.  Lights shine and blink out front, the tree is beautiful.  I feel ready for the season now.  All set to make cookies, candy and wrap gifts.  So far only one present under the tree - from Beezer to Danny.  I did get all my shipping done today. That's a load off my mind.  And everything is guaranteed to arrive at it's destination by December 18th.  Just a little - OK actually a lot - more shopping and I'll have it all done!!

Merry Christmas Ya'll.  

Santa visits Lake Travis Ward

Santa visited the ward Christmas party tonight.  Everyone loved him - just like last year.  Poor Santa didn't get to eat any of the yummy food - the beard got in the way.  After spending time with each and every kid there - and a few adults (bishop's counselor asked for a lambrogini) he was pretty warn out and relaxed outside for a bit trying to cool down.  Mrs. Santa saved some goodies for when he was "out of uniform:

Just for Amanda

You wanted the Christmas Tree lights to twirl so here it is.  Just watch it over and over and over until you get dizzy.

"Snow" day

Ok if you're in, say, Cleveland, this isn't really a snow day.  More like a mildly cool morning. But for Austin this is a big deal.  We got snow.  Just a little bit, but still snow.  And everything is nice and frosty and pretty.   Of course tomorrow it will probably be 80 degrees again, but today I'm loving it.

Christmas at Zilker

Tonight the Young Women visited the Big Christmas Tree in Zilker Park.  After a very warm day, the night turned windy and cold.  The girls twirled around under the tree for about 15 min. and then everyone was ready for hot chocolate.    All together a completely enjoyable night shared with good friends.  Isn't that what Christmas is about?

Deck the .....dog??

We finally got a tree. Beezer hauled it in from the truck and put it up in the family room. It's a great tree. And what do you do with that red net stuff they wrap the tree in? Decorate the dog, of course. Poor Boo was not amused but Beezer laughed. Tonight - it's decoration time.

Happy Birthday Dani

As you can see, the party was a blast - especially for the birthday girl. Tanna made fluffy frosting - that kind that resembles marshmallows and is extra sticky and messy. Dani loved it. John tried for a bite at one point but Dani wasn't sharing.

The bath in the sink afterward was as much fun as the cake. She was a darling all through the day.

Thanksgiving

Ian, Tyson, KK

Greg and Tony

Tony and Lisa

KK helps Grandma Cook

KK Rolls the dough

Thanksgiving is all about Family and we were so happy to have so many to share with us.

The day after Thanksgiving

Black and "Red" cows - just what Danny likes. Texas Tech Colors!

Thanksgiving was great here. Lots of friends and family. We missed John and Tanna and Dani, and of course the Cleveland bunch. This year Medina's mom and sister and nephew came for the first time and Xavier's Aunt Debbie and cousin James. The missionaries also joined us, as did Tony and Lisa. Poor Lisa spent most of her visit here cleaning up after me. It was great from my stand point!

The weather was wonderful, Danny, Tony, Beezer, and Greg played golf in the morning and the kids played outside a lot during the day. Boo was stuck in the back yard - when he wasn't sneaking out to bother the neighbors. He was a little crazy, wanting to get in where everything smelled so good.

It's strange to think that the year is almost over. So much has happened this year and we have so many plans for the next one. Danny, of course, wants to travel in his "portable apartment". He's planning a trip to either Oklahoma or New Mexico after Christmas - or maybe on New Years. Then he wants to go to Utah at the end of January. I'm a bit worried about riding on mountain roads in the winter but I can keep my eyes closed. After all, my grandpa did it all the time in his motor home. I'll have to post a follow up showing how all that turned out.

Final Word on Pig Feast

OK, it took me a while to decide if I really really wanted to post this, but what the heck. This is the final picture of the pig feast we had in October. Danny is trying to get the head open to get at the brains. Gross!! He never did manage to open the skull but he ate the cheek meat and threatened to eat the eyes. I think there may be something wrong with that boy......

Some Things Are Constant

Amanda posted a picture on her blog of the kids on a statue at Zilker Park.  Until that moment I hadn't realized that this picture is part of our history.  We've been taking the same picture, with kids at different ages, for years now.  The wise, kind gentlemen in the statue are still there, still the same, and still ready to enlighten and entertain my kids and then my grandkids.  I need to go through my pictures and find them all and make a collage that will show progression from kids to grandkids.

THE Big Game

Around here the Texas Tech vs University of Texas game is a big deal.   

Guess how it turned out.......

Danny's excited - John no so much.

Serving the Pig

That pig head I posted before was a little gross - so here's the "rest of the story".  We served our third pig at a youth conference. Everyone was amazed, grossed out, excited, and a whole list of other emotions.  Many proclaimed they would not eat it.  I think they changed their minds.  Everyone tasted the pig and many came back for 2nds, 3rds, and even 4ths.  It was good.  I think I'm about done with pig dinners for a while - at least the kind that come with feet and a head.  In fact, the head is still in my 'fridge waiting for Danny to eat the brains.  If it's there after today it is going out!!  Too freaky opening the door and seeing it there.  And the though of eating brains freaks me out.

The "pig cake" was also a big hit - thanks to Travis for that one.  I learned of it for Amanda and Travis's Austin reception.  There is no pork involved except for the pig you make of yourself when you eat it.  It's fruity and yummy!

My honey

I love this video of Danny with his "girls" Never have I seen a man more at peace than when we visit the ranch and he gets to sit and watch the cows. It is good for his soul and I'm so glad he has this land and his ladies.

Reception for the Wedding

We got creative for the wedding reception - served a whole pig.  Actually, we served two.  Brother Kafusi cooked on in the ground and one on a spit.  The guests were awed and the food must have been good since it disappeared in 30 min. or less.

Mr and Mrs Greg Bills! FINALLY

What great looking young men! 

Here come the ring bearer and flower girl

And finally the beautiful bride escorted by her mom

Bishop DeLeon preformed the ceremony

John offered the traditional toast to the newly weds

After years of waiting and weeks of work, Greg and Medina were married on October 25.   The ceremony was beautiful, the reception amazing and both were very well attended.  We estimate as many as 400 people showed up.  Everyone seemed to have a good time.  It's so great to know Medina will be in the family forever now.    She are Greg are such a good match - I know they'll be happy!