Christmas 2011

12/17 - Grandma, Grammy and Cindy took kids to see trains at Gaylord Texan

12/17 - @Gaylord Texan

Headed to Ice exhibit at Gaylord Texan - 12/22

Had to wear special coats for 9-12 degree temp in exhibit - 12/17

At Shrek the Halls Ice Exhibit - 12/17

Getting ready to take Durkin's Pizza to Fire fighters for thanks for working on Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve dessert options at Grammy/Gramps - 12/24

pretty tree - 12/24

Our Lady girl - 12/24

Kids ready to open Christmas presents - 12/24

Gramps and Landon got matching Rangers shirts - 12/24

Kasey's new tea set and cart - 12/24

Landon loves his new Legos - 12/24

Grammy and Kasey helping Landon with lego like project - 12/24

Art and cookies ready for Santa - 12/24

Santa came - 12/24

Landon made the family a gift at school and even made the wrapping - 12/25

Christmas morning ready to open gifts

Kasey ready to open presents Christmas morning

Kasey and Landon gave each other Angry Birds plush toys

oh my goodness

Kiddos and Aunt Cindy - 12/25

They act like they love each other :)

opening gifts with family

Landon loves his Legos

Getting help from cousin Rachel on Legos

You can check out more pictures  - click here

12/25 - Merry Christmas - We had a good day.   So Landon asked Santa for Legos and Kasey asked for a Doll house for her house (she has one at Grammy's house).  Santa had actually not gotten either - he knew that Grandparents/Aunt Cindy were getting several Legos for Landon and the doll house thing was new.   Santa brought Landon a small Lego (which he pointed out multiple times that it was small), 2 remote control cars and a Cars 2 Disney Book.  Santa brought Kasey a Cinderella dress up doll, a baby doll room set for her doll house at Grammy's and a Princess Disney Book.  

Kasey actually woke up before 7:30 and I could hear her but she was sitting on the stairs.  About 7:30 she said Mommy I can't get through the gates - we keep gates up to keep Lady from going pee on the carpet at night.  Kasey wanted to know why Santa wasn't still there.   She asked about her doll house and was sad, and I tried to explain, so did Greg.  We'll have to see about getting the Doll house at our house.   Both kids had fun and played mainly with the remote control cars all morning.

Then we headed to Grandma and Pops house for Lunch with them and Aunt Cindy and Nanny.  Pops ended up having to work until 2, but came home in time for gift opening.  Kids again had a fun time opening gifts.  They got pigs and shirts from angry birds which they loved.  Landon spent the afternoon doing Legos and Kasey played in water with her muddy dinosaur train characters - some of them get clean in the water.  Later the Goodsons came by to say hello and we got to hear about their new house and schools.

12/24 - What a fun Christmas Eve.  Kids actually slept in some which was nice.  We did get up, and the kids helped me make muffins.  They each made their own mix and helped stir and put mix into the pan.  Big helpers.   Greg made homemade sugar cookie dough and so the kids picked out shaped they wanted to make for Santa cookies, and helped make the shapes.    Then we all got ready.  One of my friends from high school owns a Pizza place in McKinney that we really like.  He makes pizza for fire stations on Christmas Eve just as a Thank you so we offered to make a delivery.   The kids wore little fire hats, and we took the pizzas and some homemade fudge.   The kids got to see the fire truck and say hi and thank you to them.  It was mainly paramedics at the fire station, but it was neat to give them something for the holiday. After that we packed up and went to Grammy and Gramps.   We had our traditional tacos which were great.  Landon ate 3 of them he liked them so much.  We also had some tamales that our housekeeper made from scratch which were great.  We also had several desserts that we "had" to try.    Then we opened presents and had a great time with that.   We hung out for a while, watching Cowboys lose, Landon worked on lego project, Kasey played a game (which was really the menu screen to a new learning toy) & her new tea set and cart, and we took a few cat naps as well.   Kids got pretty tired so we headed home.  We looked at a few Christmas lights in the neighborhood on our way home.  Landon started out saying that the multi color lights were his favorite, and then Kasey said for about every house that it was her favorite.   We got home and had to decorate the cookies for Santa.  The kids put lots of icing on the cookies and had fun putting sprinkles on them.  Kids got ready for bed then they got to see Santa move a few times on the Santa tracker.  We read the night before Christmas and one other Christmas book then kids got in bed.  Kasey was worried she wouldn't get in bed on time.   Landon said he would be awake when Santa came just in his room.

12/22 - We decided we wanted to go see the Ice exhibit at the Gaylor Texan.  I wanted to take the kids because it was based on Shrek which the kids love, and so Grammy and I took the kids.   It was pretty cool.   The kids and I put on thermal underwear under our A&M sweatshirts, double socks and took hats and gloves with us.   The exhibit is done by over 50 artists from China who make blocks of ice into the characters and the scenes.   It's 9 to 12 degrees Fahrenheit inside the exhibit so they give everyone a big coat that you have to wear.   We put on the coats and walked through.  They went through the story of Shrek the Halls which is really cute.  They had most of the characters all made out of ice.  I think the kids enjoyed it but they didn't like the coats.  After the Ice exhibit we went and shared a big cookie a banana shake.  Then Landon wanted to show me the trains at the Gaylord

Christmas Letter 2011

Hello family and friends:
Kasey is now 3 years old which I can’t believe.  Kasey started preschool this year.  She goes for just under 3 hours twice a week.  She really enjoys it.  Landon went to the same school so Kasey started out thinking she ruled the school.  After first two weeks she told Greg he could just drop her off and she actually gets upset if he has to walk something into the school. Kasey is also doing gymnastics, and she loves jumping and dancing around.  Kasey is very verbal and tells you how it is.  She keeps us on our toes reminding us of things we say a lot like calm down or don’t chew with your mouth full.  Kasey weighs 31.8lbs (61%) and 3 feet 1 inch (50%). Kasey is potty trained (at least during the day), and we're still working on the night. She's now wearing size 4T clothes and size 8 1/2 shoes. She still has some skin reaction to dairy, but not as much as she used to. She drinks Soy milk, but we usually let her have cheese. Kasey loves Cinderella, playing pretend & Dinosaur Train. She sleeps with her blanket still, her Wolfee (actually a wolf that Uncle Clifton gave to Landon a few years ago), and her new doggie (sometimes others). 

Landon started Kindergarten this year.  Oh what a change that has been from preschool.   They expect a lot of the kids both academically and responsibility wise. We think Landon was well prepared, but he still gets tired with long days at school. He's doing well reading level 1 books, he wants to learn how to spell new words. They have the kids writing journals where he tries to sound out sentences to write. They also have poetry and rhyme books where they learn how to spell colors and more words from rhymes. The kids draw and color what is in the song or rhyme. It's great to see his work and him enjoying learning. Landon loves art projects (he creates new ones all the time), he loves legos and can do most 5-12 or 6-13 age sets by himself.   Landon played multiple sports this year. He played 3 seasons of soccer, tball (Greg was head coach and I think he did great), flag football, and multiple sessions of ice skating/pre hockey.  Landon weighs about 50 pounds now (recently went through growth spurt), and he wears size 6 clothes and size 13 shoes.  Landon still wants me to sing Hush Little baby to him at night and sleeps with many stuffed animals.

Landon and Kasey have moments of playing together great. They play in their tents from Fredel or outside playing or going on vacation (they pretend), etc. They also have moments of getting on each others nerves and not liking each other.

This year we went to San Diego for Vacation in August. It was great to get away from the heat. We went to Sea World, Lego Land and the beach. We rented a little house about 5 blocks from the beach in La Jolla which was great. The kids loved it. Landon got to try out boogie board, we played in the sand and waves, and got to spend some good family fun at the amusement parks.

My work is going well. I have been very busy this year working a lot, but traveling less. I'm enjoying this job and having fun seeing how people use connectivity like Bluetooth, GPS and WiFi in all kinds of applications. It's a fun place to be.

Greg is still working part time and taking care of kids the rest of the time. We seem to have a pretty good routine. The Grandparents still help out with Kasey while Greg works, but don't get to see Landon as much since he started kindergarten.

We hope that everyone has a wonderful Christmas and happy New Year.  May God Bless you this coming year.

November updates

11/29 - Kasey had her school party today.  Greg made brownies for the kids and she got to celebrate with her school friends

11/26 - We had Kasey's family birthday party.   The theme was Cinderella.   Greg made a marble cake and then I did icing.  Basically iced the sheet cake and decorated with new toy for Kasey which had Cinderella, Fairy Godmother, Carriage and her mice friends Gus Gus and Jaque.  She had a fun time and really enjoyed opening her presents and hanging out with family.   

11/24 - We had a different Thanksgiving.    Since this was going to be potentially the last A&M vs Texas game we decided the whole family would go - all 4 of us.   We drove down and headed straight for the Chicken.   We had hamburgers and played dominoes for lunch.   Kids and fun.   Then Landon, Kasey and I went over to campus to kids yell practice.   We got to see the yell leaders, the band and saw the team walk into the stadium.   Then of course the kids had to play on the bounce houses and we walked around the bookstore some.  Then we headed to the field.  We got to see Bevo in his trailer and then got stuck while the corps walked in.  We headed up the long walk to our seats, got some food to eat and settled in.  The kids actually did pretty well at the game.  Kasey started getting into yelling at the game and as usual having a big bucket of popcorn helped.   After the game Greg and Doug headed to Dudleys for a few drinks and the kids and I went to the hotel.  It was quite late when they got in bed, but they went to sleep pretty well.   Kasey woke up at 6:30 the next morning, but then we went back to sleep until almost 9.

11/19 - we had to get up early to drive to the A&M vs Kansas game.   We took Landon with us, with getting up early and had a long day.   

11/17 - Landon brought home a little book he made at school that says I love Katelyn.  It also said I went to Katelyn's Birthday and had a heart on the back.  uh oh

Kasey was sent home from school today with pink eye.  Poor thing.  Hopefully the rest of us don't get it.

11/16 - I had Thanksgiving lunch with Landon today at his school.  It was fun to have lunch then we went and bought a book from the book fair

11/14 - Landon is doing really well with his reading learning new words and reading new books each week.  He's also writing a lot more.   He made some clues for Kasey to find a ball.  He sounded out and wrote out different clues.  He's also making a book for me called my mom book.  He's drawing different pictures and descriptions.

11/11 - We had a busy weekend as usual.   Greg went to New York with some guy friends to celebrate a friends 40th birthday.  He was sick the whole trip so didn't have a ton of fun, but got to see some stuff.

The kids and I had dinner with Grammy and Gramps on Friday, and then Saturday we went to craft fair with Grammy and then had birthday party at Chucky Cheese.  The next morning we had another birthday party and pump it up.  We had a fun weekend, but were tired.  

11/5 - Landon had his last flag football game.  His team was undefeated, and the boys seemed to have fun.  We had a quick party after the game with cupcakes and trophies.  Somehow Landon's broke before leaving the field, but I think it was mainly to poor making.

Landon talked some more about school some this weekend.  We are doing kindness links when kids do something nice for others without being asked.  This weekend Landon wanted to write the kindness link.  He tried to sound out the words and write them himself.  He didn't get them all right, but he did a really good job and I'm proud of the effort.   Each weekend they send home book baggies where we read the books to Landon, with him (help him read it), and by him (he reads it by himself).   He's doing really well learning new words and reading the books pretty well.  He also talked about in the journal they have at school that Mrs Savitch read his journal to the class when he wrote about Johnny Appleseed's Birthday.   Mrs Savitch was trying to find a White display for her room, and she couldn't find one so Landon made her one.  She hung it on the wall.

November Pictures

Grammy/Grandma and Kasey at Landon's last football game - 11/5

Titan's flag football team - 11/5

Landon's trophy and cupcake - 11/5

The family after flag football game - 11/5

Kasey girl - 11/5

Playing music :) - 11/5

Landon's tree he likes to climb at Tailgate - 11/19

11/19 - watching the game

11/24 - Ready to head to College Station

Ready to head to College Station - 11/24

At the Chicken in College Station - 11/24

At the Chicken - Greg had only had 1 Sangria  I promise - 11/24

11/24 at the Chicken

11/24 - At Kids Yell practice waiting for the team

Kasey's first Texas A&M football game - 11/24

making goody bags for Kasey's party - 11/25

11/25 - Greg made entire Thanksgiving dinner (except Green salad) after driving for 3 hours from College Station

Kasey's Cinderella Cake #1 - 11/26

Getting ready for the party - 11/26

Mommy and Birthday girl - 11/26

Birthday girl - 11/26

Ready for cake - 11/26

Myers/Goodson family - 11/26

Myers/Cloud family + Good friend Fredel - 11/26

Wearing fun BDay hat from cousins Haley/Ashlyn - 11/28 - Happy 3rd BDay Kasey

Singing Happy Birthday to Aunt Mary - 11/20/11

Singing Happy Birthday to Aunt Mary - We love you!

October Pictures

 A&M VS Arkansas @ Jerry World - 10/1 - Landon took the picture

 Kasey & Landon with their decorated pumpkins - 10/8

 Grandparents at Landon's flag football game - Go Titans - 10/15

 10/31 - Kiddos on Halloween

 10/31 - Ready to go to neighborhood Halloween party

10/31 - Neighborhood friends ready for trick or treating

Here are some more pictures on Kodak Gallery from October - Click Here

October updates

10/31 - We had fun Halloween with the neighbors. Landon was Darth Vader and Kasey was Elmo.   We went down to the Turners for a great Panini buffet and a few drinks.  We have 8 kids on the block all around the same age so they have fun together.  After eating we all went trick or treating together.  Unfortunately with school the next day we didn't get to stay out long.   

10/30 - We had a very lazy morning.  I'm not sure we really got out of bed before 11:30am.   Then Greg took a bike ride and kids and I went to the park near Landon's school.  Kids had a great time running around, swinging, going on slides, etc.  Landon was twisting Kasey's swing and letting it turn around.  She loved it.  They played fire truck - going from playground to pretend truck on table that they drove, and then they put out fires.

Kasey decided today that she wants to be Elmo for Halloween.  Landon will be Darth Vader - Doug calls him Darth Landon.

That afternoon we took the kids to the park to ride bikes.   Kasey is getting Landon's bike, and he got a new one without training wheels.  Kasey got to ride for the first time.  Landon started riding without training wheels.   He can go for a little bit, but then loses momentum and falls over.  He will get there though.

10/29 - Landon had football game in the middle of A&M game (which they lost).  Landon had good run in the game.   I got to go on girls night went to movie and had a few drinks with a few ladies from the neighborhood.   

10/23 - We had a fun bowling birthday party in the morning.  That afternoon Kasey and I were supposed to go see Disney show of cinderella, Belle and Snow white stories.   Landon and I got home from party.  Greg had given Kasey a peanut M&M.  her face was broken out, her tongue felt weird, and then she threw up twice.  We ended up giving the tickets to a friend down the street.   Of course she was fine after Greg took the tickets to the neighbor.  That night, Kasey says, mommy we forgot to go to cinderella show.  Poor thing.

10/18 - My dad had knee replacement surgery today.   He was in surgery for about hour and a half, then after recovery he was taken up to a room.  Surgery started between 8:30 and 9, and then by noon he was in his room and walking 6-7 steps.  After that they gave him Epidural.  He didn't have much pain at this that day and was in good spirits.  The doctor came and showed pictures from surgery with his knee, and different pieces they put in. He had to have the largest knee they make.  

Later that night Kasey got sick.  She threw up almost all night long.   Some kind of virus.  Poor thing.  lasted a few days.

10/15 - We had another busy day.   Started watching A&M game, put it on pause to go to Landon's flag football game.  He got a flag and a first down in the game.   Then we watched the rest of the game when we got home.   That night the kids went to spend the night at Grammy and Gramps house. Greg and I went to have some Sushi - Doug happened to come to the same restaurant after he got back from College Station.  After dinner we all went to FC Dallas game.   Then we went to burger place next to Pizza Hut Park to watch the rest of the Rangers game.  It was a good day for sports - Aggies, FC Dallas and Rangers won.

10/8 - We had good day.  Landon got to play quarterback some in football game today.   He did well. Even threw the ball once.   

before the game kids and I went to the park.  They had fun swinging.  Landon went across the monkey bars all by himself multiple times.  Then he also fell a few times and now has little rock marks on his forehead.

We had pizza night and watched the Aggies beat Texas Tech (Yea).  Lady enjoyed the pizza as well.

10/7 - This was sent to me by a mom whose daughter goes to school with Landon.   Oh, we're in trouble...

On another note, I had to tell you that my daughter came home one day a couple weeks ago and said "I really like how Landon looks. He's pretty." Apparently she has a little crush on him. She's planning to marry him, and when I asked her if Landon is aware of this plan, she said "Oh no, I want it to be a surprise."

10/4 - Kasey woke up at 6:30 which is early for her - she was trying to get the gate open to get down the stairs with her aggie raggedy anne doll, baby doll, pink bear and wolfee plus her blanket.  I got her back to bed but somehow I ended up carrying all the stuffed animals.   Needless to say we decided to implement 2 item rule when coming down stairs.

Got the halloween stuff out today - we had fun, but kids went crazy with all the blow up skeletons, homer and pumpkins.  They almost ran over Lady a few times.  Lady is still hanging in there, but not eating much.  She's having a tough time.

I went with Greg to pick up Kasey from school today.  Her teacher said that they did a stamp project and Kasey got it all over her arms, but that she had a great time.  She seems to be enjoying school.

10/1 - We played Arkansas at Jerry World - possibly for the last time since we're in SEC starting next season - we'll likely play them home and home. Landon found a friend at tailgate, and we had a good time eating, drinking and being merry :)  A&M played well again first half and gave it away in 2nd half again.  Strangely enough the Cowboys did the same thing that Sunday.

September Pictures

Here are pictures from our visit to Conroe/Woodlands  over Labor Day weekend - Click Here

Here are some other pictures from September - Click Here