Christmas in Hereford

Better late than never right? ha! Here are the pictures from our Hereford trip. With 7 boys and only two girls there had to be a game of football in there. I think this was a start of a new tradition with the boys. This is the very first "cousin football" game. It was so funny. Most of them are still too young to understand what to do. Landry had the ball at one time and he kept running in circles around a tree with all of them chasing him. Fun times. Kyndall, Lauren, Landry, Luke, Griffen, Cade, and Alex
Opening presents is always fun at Appy's house.

Lauren was excited to get some new American Girl clothes.

About 2 Christmas ago, my mom and dad pulled a good one on us! My dad had been telling me he bought my mom something REALLY nice that year. He wouldn't tell me but all of the clues made me believe she was getting a new car. (little did I know she was in on the secret) On Christmas day they loaded all of us up (brothers, sister in laws, and cousins) and drove us to a different part of town. They had bought a new house and didn't tell anyone that they were moving. Stinkers! What a shock it was to me because I grew up in this other house. I just never thought they would move but I was so HAPPY for them. It was a Christmas to remember. THEN this Christmas, my dad pulls me into his office and says watch your mother's eyes when she opens this up. Again, I thought he was pulling another joke on me. ha! He had bought her.....

a new wedding ring. It really was so sweet and special to see my parents "getting engaged again" as I call it. ha!

My mom cried (as the rest of us did too).

Ok, for the next bunch of pictures look out! Please tell me it isn't just my family who can't take a good group picture? There always seems to be a nut in the bunch (mainly Brett) or someones eyes closed. None the less, I look at these and smile. This is sooo my family. Funny, jokesters, and glad to be together.

See? I told you it is mainly Brett!

Aww...brothers! What do you do with them?

This poor group had no clue what they were marrying into. ha!

Chad, Brett, and me

Like I said, nut! 3L's your Uncle Moose is funny.

I look forward to seeing them again at Christmas next year. It is a shame we only get to see each other once a year. Maybe this year will be different.

Christmas with Gma

What a fast trip to Hereford! Not really (8 hours away) but the time sure did go fast getting to visit with my family for Christmas. So much to blog about and I don't know where to start. ha! I will start with one of my favorite people of all times....Gma or known as Great grandmother to the 3L's. Gma (pronounced G-maw) lives in a little retirement home in Hereford. She is 88 years old and does not act her age. ha! She is spunky, can out wit you in any game you play with her, a social butterfly, loved by all who know her, and can out beat me any day in a foot race. She is amazing! God has blessed her with great health. Here she is with a couple of her dear friends.

Katherine (Gma), Marie, and Joyce The 3L's, Casey and I ate Christmas lunch at her place. Landry loved all of the attention and his face was covered with red lipstick from all of the little grandmothers there.

Having Lauren made a 4th generation of women. Gma, my mom, me, and Lauren. When we all get together it is so much fun. My grandmother often comes with my mom to Waco. I love having her here. It makes me sad to think one day I won't have her around. Until then I let her know often how much she means to me.


I have learned a lot from her! Her funny sayings, compassion for others, stubbornness, laugh a lot if you can, and love for God. The list really could go on. It was so nice to spend Christmas with Gma!

Our Christmas 2008

Christmas came a little early to our house. We are leaving for Hereford, my home town, on Tuesday so Santa came early. We started off the night making Gingerbread houses. The 3L's got in their pjs and had some fun!
Landry was so serious at building his little house.

I have to laugh at their Gingerbread houses and how they resemble their little personalities. Lauren is all or nothing, Landry is lots of chimneys so Santa can come more than once to his house, Luke is everything in a row and pefect as can be. ha!

Off to see Christmas lights in the neighborhood.

Santa at our house

Frosty too!

Always daddy's little girl

Christmas lovin from the 3L's

Getting ready for Santa to come

Our tradition, The Night Before Christmas

My sweet Landry Love

Our Christmas morning

Lauren reading a letter from Santa

Merry Christmas from the 3L's

Luke playing with his boat

Lauren and American Girl Mia.

Have a VERY Merry Christmas my blogger friends! Over the hills and through the woods to Grandmother's house we go.

God Bless you!

Spring Valley Christmas Party

This year I am room parent to Lauren's 4th grade class AND Luke's Kindergarten class. (A bit stressful at times but these 2L's are worth it!) Friday was their Christmas party. I started off with the 4th grade party. They were so easy. We did donuts, treats, and a couple of games. Mrs. Humphrey has a great group of kids. One of them I know pretty well. ha! This is Lauren and her good friend Amy. You always have to have a silly picture to bribe any age to take a serious one I guess. Here it is!

Class of 2008-09 4th Grade

Then it was time for Lukey's kindergarten party. We started off with Bingo. Oh my! I never thought about them Bingoing at the same time. Crazy! but fun.

Luke's teacher, Mrs. Fortenberry, won the Golden Apple award for teachers so the kids surprised her with a rose from each of them. It was really sweet to see these little kids love on their teacher.

The star of the class.....Lukey...well, he was to me! I loved getting to play games and have snacks with him too. 2008 school year is over! 2 weeks off and the 3L's are excited!! I think Santa will be at the Reed house soon. (next post to come)

Merry Christmas