{4th of July}

We spent our first 4th of July in Houston.

It was fun, but definitely was not the same.

Our family was invited to a BBQ and pool party.

A couple from church invited us, and we had fun eating, meeting new friends and swimming.

The host/hostess made the coolest 4th of July cake

that we will have to attempt to make sometime.

That evening we went to Clear Lake Park to watch

several fireworks shows around the lake.

We had a fun day. . .

but we did miss all of our friends and family.

There were plenty of times during the day

that I felt myself longing for Idaho.

Throughout this week I have found myself thinking about how

grateful I am for this country we live in.

Often times we get caught up in politics and politicians and

we forget what an amazing place we live in.

I think we need to be more grateful.

If we were more grateful, more of us would work together

to make this country a better place,

instead fighting against each other.

I was reading Doctrine and Covenants 134 yesterday and it made me realize how thankful I am that we live in a country where we are all free to choose.

This is what our Heavenly Father's plan is. 

That we have a choice. . .

This is what the United States of America is based on. . .

LIBERTY!!!

The freedom to choose who you are and what you want to be.

I am so grateful for this.

This is the reason I teach History.

To teach future generations to be grateful for their freedom

and to teach them to protect and preserve it for future generations.

Happy 4th of July!!!!

{Happy Easter}

I have a million. . . . .

Pictures to post from our trip to the beach

Papers to grade before Monday

Ornaments to hang on my tree

Boxes to pack before my hubby heads back to Houston.

Here's to a Jolly Holiday Season.

It's here!!!

Let the countdown begin!

Halloween {2011}

Happy Easter

{Chinese New Year}

My brother was back from Taiwan

just in time for

{CHINESE NEW YEAR}

It was great to spend time

with his family.

Too bad he has to go back.

Dylan is having major Nate withdrawals.

Ooooooooh poor baby,

he has no one to go to R rated movies with

or spend hours glued to the XBOX.

Like I said we were all happy

to spend time with my brother and his family.

YUMMY FOOD AND FUN WITH FAMILY!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Hope Yours Was As Enjoyable As Ours :0}

{Merry Christmas}

{A Big Sigh Of Relief} Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Christmas break is here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, feel free to ask me, like everyone else, what I will do with my self for two weeks.
Hmmm???????

First, clean the filthy pigsty that's known as my house. (No major cleaning has occurred since hosting THANKSGIVING!!! EEEW GROSS!)

Second, finish my shopping. I've been at a loss for Dylan-- HELP!!!! He wants a Wii or something similar and I am the GRINCH when it comes to gaming.

Third, spend much needed time with Claire. Think she's been feeling a little neglected lately.

Fourth, cook dinner--- a rare occurrence lately. (How did my life get so crazy?)

Finally, RELAX!!!!!!!!! READ!!!!!!!!!!! and even make some CRAFTS!!!!!!

Vintage Christmas

You ready?

The weather today has me ready.

{Vampire Princess}

Wednesday evening was the ward

Trunk-or-Treat

we were running late as usual

I wouldn't let Claire look in the mirror while I was doing her make-up

When I finally finished her make-up and let her have a peek

she got the most horrified look on her face

She immediately started crying and screaming

"Take it off!!! Take it off!!!!"

Apparently her idea of a

Vampire Princess

is very different than mine :D

Again today, when we went to the neighborhood party

she said

"Please don't make me wear the blood again."

I did.

I'm a mean mom like that.

Happy Halloween!!!!

{4th of July}

I would have to say that

this is one of the dreariest

Independence Days

I've ever seen Despite the 95% humidity

Mist

and

Rain

(Its 77 but feels like a very wet and sticky 97 degrees)

We managed to

have a nice breakfast at the church
participate in the

neighborhood parade

&

Cookout

All before noon

Do you think there will be any fireworks this weekend???

Or will it be too wet???

Have a great

{4th of July}

Wherever you are!!!

Christmas Break Adventure---- Day 2, 3 & 4

We've edured lots of this!!! I wish I had video of some of it. These boys take their games seriously.

Monday was nice weather, and we spent it exploring the nature of New Braunfels. If you ever get the chance, stop by here. It is beautiful and looks like a lot of fun in the summer. The clearest water I've ever seen in TEXAS!!!!

Yesterday we visited the world famous San Marcos outlets. Amazing!!!!

I was designated to be the babysitter, and so while the rest of the fam is at the temple I am here blogging. With the promise from Dylan that we will visit this beautiful temple on our next trip. We will be driving down to meet them there in a few hours.

Its been nice to get away and I wish Christmas break could last longer. Claire was crying yesterday cause she doesn't want to go home. I echo her sentiments!!

Christmas Break Adventure--- DAY 1

We are officially staying in

Historic Gruene, Texas

Just 20 minutes from

The AlamoStill one of my most favorite places to visit.

Even better with
Dylan and Claire this time :D

Not that I didn't enjoy it with you too Janie!!!

(If I remember right we spent our whole trip wishing our husbands' were with us)We had a very exciting riverboat tour.

Our boat broke town 2x, we crashed into the edge 2x and I got crapped on 2x by a bird.

Very eventful wouldn't you say!!!It was even more beautiful than I had remembered it.

There were Christmas lights hung from all the trees!!!!My last trip to San Antonio Janie wanted to stop here, and we missed our chance. For future reference don't.

It's just an over priced gift store.

With a really cool sign.

The shop on the basement level sells drug paraphernalia.

Of, course Dylan discovered that.

Our Christmas Break Adventure Begins. . .

Any guesses where we might be?????
Bet you've never heard of it.

Merry White Christmas!!!

Santa came to our house last night.

We were so excited.

Even more excited because it looked like Christmas too.

Claire was too afraid to go to sleep last night,

because she was afraid she would wake up and see Santa.

I gave her Benadryl and told her she didn't have to worry

about waking up and seeing Santa.

When I got her up this morning, she said she was awake all night,

and she heard Santa and the reindeer on the roof,

but she pretended like she was asleep.

Oh, the excitement of Christmast eve.

Merry Christmas!

What Is Christmas With No Snow. . . .

This is my most FAVORITE Christmas movie!!!!

I got my Christmas present a day early.

Yay, snow for Christmas!!!

REMBEMBER THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

Claire and Santa

Does that look forced or what?

She didn't want to sit on Santa.

She's been a little weird about Santa this year.

She hasn't really asked for anything,

aside from telling me she wants everything in every store.

I love this little girl,

and I wish I could give her the world for Christmas.