Darla and I took the kiddos to Holiday in the Park at Six Flags over the Christmas break. We all had a lot of fun!
Megan & Brylie riding tea cups
Meg & Brylie
Lawson
Such cute little girls! 
Of course, Mom and dad completely spoiled us this year (as they always do). It was such a perfect Christmas.
It's hard to believe that Christmas has already come and gone. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect Christmas season!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Christmas Eve - a family tradition!
All my life, we had the tradition of spending Christmas Eve at my grandmother's house in San Antonio with my family, and a few of my mom's sister's families. It was something I always looked forward to.
Two years ago, my grandmother passed away, but we've held strong - we're still carrying on family traditions. Although, since I've gotten married, we only spend every other Christmas with my family (my brothers and cousins are all on the same schedule too). So, this year, we went to my aunt Lanie's house to celebrate Christmas Eve.
It was a great evening. We had dinner, visited, and open presents.
Another tradition we had started a few years back was a "wish ball". Every year, we all write down our wishes for the upcoming year, then the following year, we go back and read our wishes. Its so neat to do.
Last year, I started a Christmas tradition with Megan. We decorate cookies for Santa. This year, we did it in SA at my parents house. Aunt Sheryl and Uncle Kyle even decorated cookies with us. Meg did a great job this year - I was very proud of her.
On Christmas Eve day, we decorated the cookies. Then, right before we went to bed, we put them out for Santa with a glass of milk. Meg had picked out her four favorite cookies for Santa.
I hope this is a tradition we will continue in the future!
Meg got lots of pretty, pretty things from Nina...make up, lotion, and hair accessories. Meg is a very lucky girl to have so many people that love her so much! 
Here is a picture of Megan from Christmas morning. I will post all about our Christmas celebrations soon! We had FIVE!
Last night, Jarrad and I were able to go to the Cowboys/Packers game (sorry for the blurry picture). It was my first time to watch the Cowboys play in person. The game was awesome. Jarrad's brother, Nick, gave us his seats because he was out of town. I am so glad that we were able to go! Our seats were awesome - right by the tunnel where the Cowboys run out! 
We spent Thanksgiving at the ranch this year. We went out on Thursday, meme and poppy met us there too. Not long after we got there, we started seeing a few snow flurries. The picture above, was taken on Friday morning. We think we got about 5 or 6 inches. It was so beautiful!
Jarrad and I actually went out on Thursday evening to hunt. I froze my butt off, but I'm sure Jarrad was colder than me because he sat in a tripod stand - it snowed the whole time we were hunting!
...this is what you get! 
I wasn't in the mood to argue with her, so I just let her go in public dressed as is.
I was up with Meg last night until 4:15! Not sure what is wrong with her, she just kept saying she didn't feel good. She'd fall asleep for about 45 minutes to an hour, then wake up with this horrible cry/cough. I was finally able to get some Motrin down her around 3:30 and that seemed to let her sleep until 7:00. Hopefully tonight will be better :)
Mom sent me the picture of poppy (see below) today. He had just finished mowing the big yard on the south side of the house and was covered in dust and dirt. She just had to take a picture. When I opened it, I showed it to Meg and the first thing she said to me (in a very "matter of fact" tone of voice) was "That's not my poppy". I told her to look again...then, she said "My poppy is yucky dirty, he smells like a foot."
Megan had swimming lessons tonight. She's doing so good. She needs to work on breath control, but other than that, she's doing awesome! She can swim to her "target", roll over onto her back, swim back to the wall, and jump off the side all by herself. She makes me more and more proud every week!
Tonight, on the way home from swimming lessons, Meg told me that she needed to throw up. The conversation went something like this...
Meg: My tummy hurts.
Me: What's wrong?
Meg: I'm going to throw up
Me: Can you wait until we get home?
Meg: Yes.
Me: OK.
Fast forward to the minute we arrive home...
Meg: My tummy still hurts. (as she's holding her hands over her mouth)
Me: Do you need to throw up?
Meg: Yes.
Turns out, she wasn't fibbing. Apparently, she drank a lot of water tonight at swimming. On top of her tummy bothering her at school today, I guess the pool water did her in.
She's now curled up on the couch with her daddy drinking some Gatorade. She's had a bath, so I hope that she'll be better in the morning.
Last night, we went over to the Sandlin's to go trick or treating. We figured Meg would have more fun if she got to go with a friend this year. This was the first year that she didn't see ANY of her grandparents on Halloween - honestly, I'm not sure that she missed them (sorry Meme & Poppy). Below are pictures from the evening. The kids had so much fun!
Below are a few pictures of Megan and Emmie. Emmie is the new puppy of a family friend. When we were in SA, Meme & Poppy took Meg over to the Koppes' house to meet Emmie. Meg fell in love with her. Poor Emmie - I bet she hadn't been handled like that her whole life. I hope she won't be afraid of children for the rest of her life.
I came across this today and it's more fitting for Meg's new outlook on life.
The Toddler’s Creed
If it is on, I must turn it off.
If it is off, I must turn it on.
If it is folded, I must unfold it.
If it is a liquid, it must be shaken, then spilled.
If it a solid, it must be crumbled, chewed or smeared.
If it is high, it must be reached.
If it is shelved, it must be unshelved.
If it is pointed, it must be run with at top speed.
If it has leaves, they must be picked.
If it is plugged, it must be unplugged.
If it is not trash, it must be thrown away.
If it is in the trash, it must be removed, inspected, and thrown on the floor.
If it is closed, it must be opened.
If it does not open, it must be screamed at.
If it has drawers, they must be rifled.
If it is a pencil, it must write on the refrigerator, monitor, or table.
If it is full, it will be more interesting emptied.
If it is empty, it will be more interesting full.
If it is a pile of dirt, it must be laid upon.
If it is stroller, it must under no circumstances be ridden in without protest. It must be pushed by me instead.
If it has a flat surface, it must be banged upon.
If Mommy's hands are full, I must be carried.
If Mommy is in a hurry and wants to carry me, I must walk alone.
If it is paper, it must be torn.
If it has buttons, they must be pressed.
If the volume is low, it must go high.
If it is toilet paper, it must be unrolled on the floor.
If it is a drawer, it must be pulled upon.
If it is a toothbrush, it must be inserted into my mouth.
If it has a faucet, it must be turned on at full force.
If it is a phone, I must talk to it.
If it is a bug, it must be swallowed.
If it doesn't stay on my spoon, it must be dropped on the floor.
If it is not food, it must be tasted.
If it is food, it must not be tasted.
If it is dry, it must be made wet with drool, milk, or toilet water.
If it is a carseat, it must be protested with an arched back.
If it is Mommy (or Daddy), it must be hugged.
I am toddler!
Yesterday, Darla and I took the kids to a pumpkin patch in Cleburne. It was about a 25 minute drive from Mansfield, but it was worth the drive. The girls and Lawson had so much fun. There was a three story tree house, a semi-petting zoo (the animals were in a fence, but if they came close enough you could pet them), a hay ride, and face & pumpkin painting (although we didn't do any of that).
I was pleasantly surprised that we didn't have any melt downs from the children because none of them had taken a nap. I know that Megan had a blast. I'm glad that Darla and the kids were able to come with us.
After the pumpkin patch, we went back to their house for a quick dinner, then I took Megan over to Boompaw & Nawnaw's house to spend the night. With Jarrad out of town, this means that I was all alone last night :) I actually slept in this morning until the dogs woke me up around 10. Truth be told, I let them out and then went back to sleep for another hour. I feel so rested.
Friday night, we went to Fright Fest at Six Flags in Arlington. Every year the company I work for hosts a Halloween party for the employee's children. It's usually held at the office, where the employees decorate offices and then the children come through to "Trick or Treat" in the office.
