My Boys

I just love this pic and had to share...

It's SNOWING...in Houston!

So tonight, I walked out of the gym expecting a freezing cold day...just like it had been all day...and to my surprise - still freezing, but SNOW...in HOUSTON!!!  What is going on?!  It started falling a lot harder after it got dark, so I snapped a couple pics out of my back door.  Originally, I wrote that it just dusted the rooftops, but I just checked outside again, and it has now covered the ground.  WOW! 

Snow falling

Ground covered...1 hour later!

I hopped out onto our back porch (freezing!) because I had to get a pic of Brayden in his first snow.  He was like, "Mom, what are you doing?!"  Oh well, I thought it would be fun.  His face cracks me up.  haha!

Christmas Parties

As most everyone knows, the few weeks before Christmas tend to be filled with holiday get-togethers with friends and family.  It seems like almost every night the 2 weeks before Christmas, our schedules are packed with parties, dinners out, cookie exchanges, shopping trips, and so much more.  It's exhausting and fun all at the same time.  I have been reminded to remember what this season is truly all about - the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  In the midst of this crazy season, let us stop to remember that Christ is the center, and He alone is what everything is all about!

We had a Christmas mug exchange party at the Kruger's last Friday night.  It was a blast...however, I got stuck with a big ole Texas mug...Cindy (a UT fan) got stuck with an A&M mug...so funny!  Oh well, it was fun!

Jonathan - "shopping around" - for his pick of mugs.

Jonathan (being goofy), Kayla, Jason, and Emily

Cindy with Brayden

At our staff Christmas party

Jonathan & Patrick

Staff Christmas Party

Meredith Thurman, Michelle, & Lauren Hall

5 Months Old!

It is SO hard to believe that Brayden is already 5 months old! It seems like just yesterday that we first held him!  He has grown so much from when he was first born.  His personality is so big, and he is such a fun baby!  He is now into almost all 6-month clothes...some 9-month pants...his legs are so long!  (Looks like he will be tall like his Daddy!) 

These "milestones" of months and future years in the lives of kids seem to make one think about the big picture of things. It makes me realize how truly blessed I am and how I have grown through these moments.

God has taught me so much about His love through having Brayden as our son.  He has given me a glimpse of what His love for us is.  I love Brayden so much, and I know the love of the Father exceeds even that in immeasurable ways.  He has taught me about sacrifice.  Although I have not had to sacrifice much...besides my much-adored sleep...I understand more what a hard thing it was for God to send His only Son to love us and live with us and ultimately die for us - simply so that we could have a relationship with Him. WOW!  That truly blows me away!  

Our God is an awesome God, and I will praise Him for His unfailing love and for the blessing of our little guy, Brayden.  

Happy baby!

Not quite sitting up on his own...

but with a little assistance he's good!

Brayden, how big are you?  THIS big!

Winter Retreat 2008

This weekend was our High School Winter Retreat.  The students headed to Pineywoods Camp in Woodlake, TX for a weekend to connect with God and each other.  It turned out to be a great weekend, and God did some awesome stuff!  On Saturday, Brayden and I drove up to camp to spend time with the students for the day.  We had a great time!  As you can see, it was pretty chilly, so we bundled Brayden up in his "winter gear."  Here in Houston, we don't get to use this often, so we jumped at the chance!  He was so cute in his puffy vest and beanie.  It somewhat reminded me of the kid in Christmas Story...pretty cute though!  

Brayden & Kelsey

Last night, we hung out with some of our good friends, Matt & Julie Kruger.  They have a little girl, Kelsey who is 10 days older than Brayden.  We've already arranged their marriage (haha!).  Last night, they got to hang out and play together.  It was SO cute!

Kelsey trying to give Brayden a kiss!

I'm not sure what either of them are doing in this pic!

What a cute pair!

Don't go, Brayden!

My Little Duck

Brayden is always so happy after a bath.  (Aren't we all!)  

Here he is in his cute little duck towel - smiling away!

Jumperoo

This past week, we finally put together Brayden's Rainforest Jumperoo.  He can sit in it and jump up and down.  He loves this and gets so excited sometimes.  He loves to spin the toys and sit up and look around.  It's really hard to believe he's getting this big already!

Thanksgiving

It's been awhile since my last post...but we have a lot of pics from Thanksgiving to share.  We drove up to Oklahoma to visit the fam (Michelle's side).  It is typically a 7 1/2 hour jaunt up to Edmond that took just a little over 8 hours with baby stops and all.  Brayden did great in the car, which really impressed us as we knew going into it that it could quite possibly extend our car-time to much longer.  We had lots of fun...saw all the family, visited with some friends, and definitely began Black Friday shopping at 5:30am!  

It was a trip to remember.  

Brayden's 1st Thanksgiving.

Our family

He is SO excited about all the good food!

(Too bad he couldn't dig in!)

Juan & Chellie

Mimi & Papa loved their time with Brayden.

Aunt Amy playing with her hair & Brayden...

He looks like he's thinking... "Why me?!"

A "moment" with Mimi

Brayden had so much fun smiling and playing with his Papa.

Brayden and Nanny

It was great to see some of our good friends.

Matt & Leah Palmer and their 2 kids - Annaliese & William, Melissa Dodson, Jonathan & me with Brayden

Meeting Aunt Erin & Uncle Jared

We were SO lucky to have Erin and Jared in Oklahoma at the same time that we were there for Thanksgiving, because they were able to come meet their nephew!  Brayden bonded so quickly with them, and loved getting to spend time with them.  We can't wait to see them again at Christmas!