Brent got to experience his first Christmas in Victoria! We had three small celebrations with different family members. Here we are at Mammaw and Pappaw's Christmas over at Aunt Liz's house. There was some super tasty treats to eat and it was nice to catch up with everyone. I always love getting to play and hug on Nicole and Ted's boys. So happy she is about to have another one! They are the sweetest and cutest things around. We are also excited to meet Miss Payton here in a few months! Yay for growing families!

Mason, Nicole's third beautiful boy

Miles and Max begging to play in the adults white elephant game

Mammaw and Pappaw

Max telling everyone which present to open!

Uncle Nicky stealing Aunt Monica's cookie trays...the only thing to get stolen!

Me trying to steal a kiss from Mason!

Miles and Max finally getting to open their present from Mammaw and Pappaw

Why is Mason kissing a pink balloon with the name Payton on it??

Kristi and Billy

Aunt Liz and two of her lovely grandchildren

Crazy Justin

Justin and Emily

Oh, that is why there are pink balloons everywhere! It's a GIRL!Congrats Justin and Emily. We will meet Miss Payton in just a few months!

the three little pigs and the big bad boys

Merry Christmas to the boys! After a nice relaxing Christmas morning, we drove out to the ranch and hopped in the deer blind. We weren't there for about 15 minutes before we saw lots of hogs. Caleb said the deer wouldn't be coming out with all of the hogs, so the guys decided to just shoot pigs! Brent got his first hog ever and it was about a 200lb sow. Caleb got two smaller ones with the same bullet! I shot all three with my camera! We'll head out in the morning and hopefully get a deer, but here are the pig shots now.

the hunters

walking to the deer blind

caleb sees something

patiently waiting

attempting to shoot at the same time

brent picking out the big one

Got 'em

caleb's two for one shot

gathering the kill

Brent's hog is in front

champ hoping that never happens to him!

a "hogtree" for Christmas day!

Brent's new knife!

teamwork!

BBQ anyone?

Champ

isn't he the best?

Jacobson Christmas

We drove up to Dallas to have Christmas with the Jacobsons earlier in December. Hallie was graduating from physical therapy school and we were planning on celebrating with her on Sunday as well, but that was when death tried to overcome me! We barely made it through dinner and our gift exchange before I crashed and had to go to the doctor. I did manage to get a couple (not great) photos although I am pretty upset with myself for not getting more. I also mustered up enough energy to take a family photo of Finn and Co. before we drove out of town. He is so stinkin cute and I was extra sick at the fact that I couldn't hold him. ;(

We had a really great time with everyone and look forward to our next big family gathering. Hopefully it's before Easter!

kinder christmas

Had to post our annual Polor Express day in Kindergarten. The kids had a BLAST! Our pinata was quite weak though. One of my little girls killed it on the third swing, haha!

Christmas break fun

Brent finally got out of school this past Tuesday and we've been having lots of fun enjoying each other. We've loved sleeping in and bumming around town together. Christmas shopping and date time has been on top of our agenda. Here we are at a new vineyard in Gruene. The wine was pretty yummy and they have the most amazing chocolate and cheese platters. We've also had fun with Champ at the river every day and have actually been able to light a fire at night since we've had so much rain lately. We leave for Victoria in the morning and are so excited to spend time with the family there. It's been a while so we plan on staying several days and catching up with friends and family. Wish Brent luck, he'll be in the deer blinds!

color of the day- ORANGE!

Check out the orange chompers on this nutria..aka..comal river rat! You can see them better in the collage below, as well as the pretty orange duck bills. We went on a lovely stroll yesterday afternoon with our dear friends Adam, Lindsey and Kael Harvey to feed the ducks at Landa Park. We were having a fun time when out of the water popped this guy begging for a snack too! He nearly crawled in my lap! I am normally grossed out by these things because we see them late at night and they look creepy, but thanks to this trailblazer, I kinda like them now! Thanks for a fun afternoon, Harveys!

steak, medium please. US? we're well DONE

Wow! I told you guys I wouldn't have much time to blog in the month of November. Didn't know it would last half way through December! This may be it until January because I am completely worn out (DONE)!
You are looking at one of the most amazing steaks I've ever eaten, thanks to Mr. Husband. The Friday night after the home tour, he surprised me with a steak and shrimp dinner! Okay, I bought the shrimp because I was craving bacon-wrapped creatures, and B got the beef, but it was still a surprise as we both walked in the door! The shrimp didn't make the photo because they don't last long in this house.

We have both worked so very hard this semester and are looking forward to some big time R and R. Lot's of people say they wish they were teachers so they could get summers off and long holiday breaks as if the other nine months of the year were easy peasy lemon squeezy. Yes, I say that to my kids.  If you are one of those people, please think hard before you jump into the education world. IT IS HARD.  VERY HARD! Being at work from 7:00am until at least 5:00 on most days with maybe a 15 minute lunch in there somewhere and then at least 3 hours on the weekends planning, grading, prepping for the next week. Not to mention just thinking about all of your students and their families and their hearts. It's pretty much 24/7 from August to May. I really can't even believe I just wrapped up the fall semester. It continues to FLY by. Anyway, I didn't really mean to go off on that little rant, just wanted to say I am SUPER happy I have two weeks OFF! Time to rebuild! (but quick, thank God for all of the teachers you have EVER had. Even if you didn't like them or didn't think they were the best. They do a lot for very little... I'm thinking about asking Mr. Pujols if we can be his live in personal educators. He has kids right?? ;)

Brent continues to love Myrons (even brought home some yummy seasoning for the steaks!) and tolerates school. He is gathering all of the patience he can to finish one last semester and then eagerly awaits his next calling! Can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for him! I am very grateful for all of his dedication to our family and our goals. If you don't know what I am talking about, ask him! He has put in his time and has loved teaching the kids he's taught. He knows there is something else out there for him though.

I just shipped out my 20th CD of photos for customers! Ah, cannot believe I was that busy. I thought it'd just be a part-time thing. Obviously it was crazy due to the holidays and I'll probably have to work on some marketing in the new year, but still...doing four photo sessions a weekend and teaching 20 five yearolds five days a week almost did me in. Well it did actually. I spend two days at home this week sick as a dog! Thankfully, I got some meds and was back at work to celebrate this most amazing season of our Lord's birth with my students.No matter how hard my days get, I am so humbled by the fact that God continues to allow me to instruct and guide his precious children. I can only hope that I am bringing glory to him and doing justice to his name. They bring me such joy and have taught me far more than I could ever teach them.

We just wanted to say thanks to all of our friends and family for loving us so very much this past year and always. 2011 was incredible and we can't wait to spend 70 more years together enjoying even better moments to come. We've had some tough moments and made it out on top because of the love and support we get from each of you. Thanks for encouraging us to follow our hearts and work hard. Thanks for inviting us into you homes and sharing your hearts with us. We love you all and pray many many blessing to you in your new year.
Merry Chritmas to our great big family out there! If we don't see you, know we are missing you and hope to connect soon! the j's

Holiday Detour of Homes

Well it has come and gone! For those of you who don't know, we got to put our house on a home tour! Norma, the lady who owns Max's Haus, asked us to participate and I quickly said YES! It was a great excuse to get our home all ready for the holidays. We got some projects knocked out of the way and decorated for Christmas the past two weeks. A HUGE THANKS to everyone who drove over to help out. I know we aren't "just down the road" but we truly appreciate your willingness to come hang out and have fun making our house feel more homey. Thanks Aunt Kim, Syd, Marielle, Diana, Trudy, Alyssa, Rhonda, Jackie, Chelsie, Hallie and Leroy! And thanks to George and Cindy for keeping Champ and his wagging tail away for a couple of days!! Thanks for asking us, Norma. Most of all, thanks to Brent. He puts up with me and all of my ideas so well. You are the best babe. I love you and am so happy you appreciate everything I bring to the table ;)
It was a blast and we are so blessed to share our home with the good folks of NB! Merry Christmas everyone. Let the festivities begin!