Sunny Claire

She's back, folks! She's {mostly} back to her happy self! {This evening was a little rough, but she's definitely better!} And she loves wearing her new sunglasses that our neighbor gave her for Christmas!

Still Here...

I'm very excited that my parents and grandmother will be here for a day this weekend, since they're going to a 50th wedding anniversary party in New Orleans. I have plenty to do right now -- put away Christmas presents, put away Christmas decorations, house work, practice the organ for church on Sunday, and more -- all before our visitors arrive! And if that's not enough to do, I also had to tend to our sick little Claire.

She threw up a few times on the ride home on Tuesday. Not fun! But I'm so glad Jordan was with us. It's much easier for two people to tend to cleaning up a car seat and a child than it is for one person to do it all. - I had to do that back in October. It was better this time with some help! Claire had a fever Tuesday night, and she was definitely sick and had a fever on Wednesday, too. She needed lots of attention. I thought I would be taking her to the doctor this morning, but she woke up without a fever, and she's been just fine. I'm so thankful for that!

I guess this picture from last night's bath was a preview of how she'd be feeling today -- back to normal!
So this post is to say I'm still here! Give me a few more days, and I'll begin to share the fun we had over the past few weeks!

Merry Christmas from our 21-month-old!

Merry Christmas, everyone! We've had a great Christmas, and I hope you have, too!

Claire is now 21 months old, and she is our little talker! During the past two weeks, she's started to say more and more things. I love it because we get to hear what she's thinking about in her little head - whether it's someone she's thinking about, something she wants to eat, or something she remembers from her recent past. I love getting a glimpse into her thoughts.

She's having a great time playing with her cousins. It's great to see so many family members over Christmas. Merry Christmas from Julia, Jordan, and Claire!

Merry Christmas Eve!

College Grads!

Last weekend, both Laura and Matt graduated from Texas Tech University! What a day to celebrate! They graduated the same day - but at different graduations. So we had a full day of listening to graduation speeches and names being called. But it was wonderful! {It also helped that my friend watched Claire for me during the afternoon graduation, so Claire was able to take a long, long nap!}



Congratulations! Yay Texas Tech! :-)

Les Mis

Tuesday night my parents took us out to Les Mis. Here we are before we went! (They got a babysitter for the kiddos, too! That was great!) It was a great performance, and we had a great time!

OS Ranch Museum, Post, TX

On our way to Lubbock for Laura and Matt's graduations last week, we stopped in Post, TX, to see the many, many nativity scenes and other items they had on display.







We had a fun time!

Meeting Baby Evan

Last week Claire and I got to meet baby Evan! We didn't see him long, but he seems like a sweet little guy.


Claire checked out her new cousin.

But I think Ryan's toy was more entertaining!

We also got to see Liz and McKinley for a few minutes before we left. - And they got to meet baby Evan, too!

It's Time to...

Curl up with a good book!

Zoo Lights

The Baton Rouge Zoo has some Christmas lights on display. We went on a family outing a couple of nights ago to see them. Enjoy!

Birthday Breakfast

Before I left Dallas, we had a birthday breakfast! That was fun! Dad made waffles and sausage, (my favorite!), and Mom made a pound cake. - I said that I could put fruit on it, so we could eat it in the morning. I did have a piece in the morning, but I don't think anyone else did!




Taylor didn't want his picture taken.

But he did want A&M to be represented by his sweatshirt, so they had to turn it around.

Finally, the sweatshirt was off, and we got a picture of these two happy faces!

I got a CHI!

Taylor made me a birthday card that he made. It said "30" all over it - not to rub it in, but just because he couldn't think of anything else to say.

Claire seemed to enjoy the birthday party.

She loved the tissue paper the best, I think - because she took it out of the bag,

she held onto it,

and she rolled in it!


Blowing a kiss!

Dallas Play Time!

I forgot that I have more pictures from my Dallas trip over Thanksgiving. Here are some of play time fun!

Claire loved playing with Taylor. And Taylor was so sweet to play so nicely with her and to read her books!

She learned more about the human body with Uncle Matt.

Claire had a great time throwing herself around the den!

She would begin in the position to do a somersault, and then she'd just throw herself to the side.

She cracked up the whole time!

Family Photos 2011

My friend, Jane, took our pictures. (And for those of you in Houston, she does visit Houston sometimes....) I love all of these!