Just Carryin' On An Old Family Tradition

Every Christmas, I look forward to re-visiting our holiday family traditions, and attempting to make some of our own. Though driving across the state of Texas seems to be about the only real tradition we’ve started since our relationship began, we always seem to find time for celebrating the things that keep us young at heart and bring back such wonderful memories with our friends and family:

Our Christmas season usually kicks off right after Thanksgiving, at the tree farm. Troy used to always go with his Dad and Carolyn (and siblings) to pick out their Christmas tree and I have been lucky to be included in three of these adventures! It is a lot of fun, driving out there, riding the wagon to go chop down your tree, hauling it over to the “shaker” and driving it home in the truck. Davis and Isabella are always a hoot when we go, and we have gotten some great family photos over the years.

Troy and I both share the memory of books at Christmas. His book of choice is The Night Before Christmas in Texas, That Is, by Leon A. Harris. It is a very cute Texas twist on the classic The Night Before Christmas. Troy talks about how his mom read him that book, and he loved it because it was about Texas!

For as Long as I can remember, my mom and sisters and I read the classic Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg. This was before the major movie was made. We would sit around the tree, or sometimes in bed, in quiet anticipation holding that little jingle bell as my mom read, just waiting to give it a ring. Mom gave us a collector’s edition a few years ago, and we have the book on tape, DVD, hard cover book, and our own little silver bell. I still like ringing that bell.

Chili – enough said. That is one that makes Troy smile. He loves him some chili and he loves thinking about how his mom and grandparents always made chili to eat on Christmas Eve. We got to eat it a few years ago when we spent Christmas at his mom’s and man, that is a tradition a girl can get used to! Dang good chili! Chili fest is usually followed by a round of games with siblings – a tradition that both our families share. Whether Pictionary or Scattergories, Trivial Pursuit or Balderdash, Guitar Hero or Charades, we all have a blast laughing our butts off. It is one of the funnest times and the best holiday memories we both share and look forward to each year.

Another fun tradition that Troy has helped me keep alive is cookie-making. Now that one takes me back………….way back. We have always made homemade Christmas sugar cookies right before Christmas. We cut out fun shapes, bake them almost as quickly as we could cut them, and then dive into the sprinkles and homemade icing. They usually looked terrible, but they taste great and it is always so much fun. I have fond memories with my mom’s best friend and her kids on our first Christmas after my parents’ divorce, memories of this tradition with our new siblings (boy did we make a mess) and memories with kids that celebrated Christmas with us when they didn’t have much. This tradition has grown to include Troy’s family the last Christmas we were at his mom’s house and it was really great. His grandpa even sat at the table and decorated with us! I suppose this tradition inspired me to love baking, but most of all, it always brings us together.

Happy holidays everyone! Here’s to making, keeping, and enjoying traditions!

Oh What Fun

Last weekend we got to babysit Jackson, and it was very much needed (for us). He is so cute these days, just growing and moving about. Right now I just laugh at his cute grin and open-mouthed kisses. Must to my sister-in-law’s dismay I’m sure, Jackson most definitely satisfies any baby fever that creeps up for us. Just look at this cute boy!

We played hard that night, and Jackson was a trooper! He loves watching and playing with pretty much anything. Troy had a grand old time laying on his back and tossing one of Jackson's toys in the air, and Jackson seemed to love it too. So I laid him down and they both just laid there, watching the ball go up and down, up and down....

Tess also came along for the babysitting trip and got to meet Dixie, Taylor and Lindsey's dog, for the first time. To say they loved eachother is an understatement. They ignored us pretty much the entire time and just played together. They did check in on us every now and then though...

Saturday, we attended another Christmas party - this one hosted by Troy's co-worker. It was so much fun and we definitely had some flashbacks to the good ol college days (enough said!). Let's just say that his co-workers are way better than mine! We wrapped up Christmas shopping this weekend as well, which usually never happens this late because I hate the rude wait-until-the-last-minute-so-that-I-am-completely-stressed-out-and-in-complete-disregard-for-others shoppers that seem to flood the malls right before Christmas. BUT we had to get some things and it turned out to be a successful trip. Sunday was great because we got to do our Christmas with Rick and Carolyn. We went to eat a traditional ‘Davis’ dinner – Mexican food – and then went back to their house for ice cream and Carolyn’s peppermint fudge topping. SOOOO GOOD by the way! It was fun to watch Jackson open presents and play with all of the fun stuff he got. Experiencing Christmas through a child’s eyes, well, it is just something that I really haven’t gotten to do before and it was great. Really great. We had a very nice time and as always, Santa was very thoughtful. Thank you!!!

This week is somewhat hectic (but hey, what week isn’t). I made cookies and rocky road fudge last night, to hand out to coworkers for a holiday ‘thank you’ and to bring to our parents’ houses for Christmas, then concocted my ‘famous’ chicken parmesan for a delayed birthday dinner for Troy. Thursday was his actual birthday and we went to Brian O'Neils for happy hour. There were lots of people there to celebrate, which was awesome, and we had a great time. We wrapped up the night with a German chocolate cupcake and presents :) Who doesn't love that?! Tonight he is having a men’s happy hour at a little cigar bar. That means lots of wrapping of presents, packing of suitcases (for our trips to DFW and Tyler), and any last-minute errands for me and Tess. We have some exciting plans for Wednesday and then, we are on the road again… off to Fort Worth for Christmas #2 and then to Tyler for #3. We sure do love getting to see everyone in our big Texas triangle (thankfully, much smaller than when Lubbock was the starting point)!

Canine Attachment

We long for an affection altogether ignorant of our faults. Heaven has accorded this to us in the uncritical canine attachment. ~George Eliot

Well, I have tried not to go 'Tess' crazy and only post photos of our adorable pup :) but she is growing so fast, so I thought I would give an update.

She went to the vet last week for her 12 week appointment and weighed 22lbs! I think she weighs closer to 25 now, believe it or not. She is growing like a weed and is all legs (lucky girl). Unfortunately, like most labs, she got a slight ear infection so we have been medicating. Other than that, she is happy, healthy, and oh so hiper!

Troy has been working with her pretty extensively on hunting 101. She has nailed "Sit" and is pretty good at "stay." She is house trained (so far), knows to wait for the command before she can attack her food, and has almost completely conquered "Kennel Up." She is so smart though, and is getting a little better at "Heel." Troy is doing good with fetch and teaching her to "Drop" her toy. It is so cute to watch her frolic after a toy almost too big to fit in her mouth!

Here are a few pics of our cutie Tess and how she's grown:

When we picked her out

Her first day home, with her favorite toy.

About 9 weeks old

At Thanksgiving

Passed out on her new[est] bed

Puppy kisses time!

13 weeks old, still with her favorite toy.

She's getting so big :(

I think we are drawn to dogs because they are the uninhibited creatures we might be if we weren't certain we knew better. They fight for honor at the first challenge, make love with no moral restraint, and they do not for all their marvelous instincts appear to know about death. Being such wonderfully uncomplicated beings, they need us to do their worrying.

~George Bird Evans,Troubles with Bird Dogs

Cookies and [Tacky] Christmas Sweaters

This weekend was full of Christmas festivities and we had so much fun! Saturday was my first annual cookie exchange and Christmas soiree and it was a success if I do say so myself! Just look at these beautiful confectionary creations, compliments of my fabulous guests:

Brownies, Hello Dollies (Linds), Chocolate Chip and Oatmeal Cookies (Whit), Angel Wings (Allison), Peanut Butter Surprises (Sarah), Puppy Chow (Lindsey), White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies (Caroline), Fudge, Iced Cookies, Gingerbread Cookies, Chocolate-covered Pretzels

Peanut Butter Surprises - Sarah

Chocolate Chip and Oatmeal Pecan Cookies, Whitney

Chocolate-covered Christmas Pretzels, Hostess

White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies, Caroline

Funfetti Brownies, Hostess

Hello Dollies, Lindsey Stanley

Once everyone dropped off their goodies, we sat down for a [yummy] lunch. I tried my hand at a three-course meal from scratch and I'd say it was a success; lots of work, but a success. We snacked on various appetizers, then sipped on some tomato basil soup with ricotta cheese dumplings and sourdough croutons. Next, we had a "Ceasar" salad, herb carrots, new potatoes with herb sour cream, and an Italian stuffed chicken breast (kudos to the hubby on cooking this one for me). We finished the meal with an apple tartlet. It was a great lunch with great friends and I cannot wait to do it all again next year!

Not photographed: Whitney and Lindsey J

What's a party without fresh flowers? Well, I suppose it's still a party. But I never pass up the opportunity to buy fresh flowers, and decided to go with a holiday theme for my table. I also got to set out our china for the first time (yippee), and I think it all came together nicely. Here are some photos of the tablescape:

My favorite - Hydrangea, with pine and evergreen spruces

Our beautiful china - Lenox Pearl Platinum, with silver charger and pine spruce

Later that evening, we got all dressed up and met up with friends for a tacky Christmas sweater party at Velvet Melvin. We had a lot of fun and saw some very 'festive' outfits. I think ours were some of the best:

The holidays are well underway and we are enjoying every bit of it! We have another busy week and look forward to this week's events - Troy's 25th birthday celebration, another tacky Christmas sweater party, and Christmas with the Davis family to Sunday. Lots to post, so check back soon!

Let It Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

If you read the last post, you saw that I ended my "Christmas Is" list with the hope for snow, and old Saint Nick was definitely listening!!! It snowed in Houston (are pigs flying yet?) and boy - IT REALLY SNOWED! The drive to work was a quiet one, but cold. And by the time I got my hot chocolate heated up, it looked like a snowglobe outside. I was anxious to get home, and at about noon I headed that way. The closer I got to Katy, the harder the snow was coming down. It was beautiful! Troy left work early as well and we pulled out our ski clothes, bundled up, and let the dog out in the yard to play in the snow. Tess was hesitant at first, but warmed up to the idea and really had a blast:

Tess, getting acquainted

Play with me!

She almost blends in!

Snow!

The snow was great, but all along I was praying that it would not affect my parents' flight to Houston. This was their first trip since we bought the house, and it was SO important to me that they made it in, and safely. Every flight before theirs that evening was cancelled, but by the grace of God, they made it! We had a fun and relaxing time, and it was great to see them. Mom and I did some shopping Saturday morning while the guys loaded up on man food and watched football. We went for Cajun food that night and filled our bellies with oysters, bisque, and beer and then headed home to watch some more football. I introduced them to my Christmas in a Glass drink and they loved it! (well, duh - it rocks). So in a food (and slight vodka) comatose, we called it a night. It was a great visit to say the least :)

On a side note, my stockings arrived from Pottery Barn! I ordered two large ones for Troy and me, and two small ones for the furballs, and had them embroidered with our names. They look great, if I do say so myself, and Tess seemed to like hers too!

We have a busy week this week, and there is lots to do to get ready for my Christmas soiree and cookie exchange, of which there will be plenty of photos to post, I'm sure! But I'm looking forward to it; it should be great fun. Until then, have a great week :)

19 Days Until Christmas! Let the Countdown Begin!