AXA Awards

Chris' company holds an award banquet every year.  They also like to rotate the location through out Texas for all the branches.  This year his banquet was in Houston…the second best location for us.  Of course here in the DFW would have been most ideal, but Houston is great for us too.  Why??  My sister!!! She lives about an hour outside of Houston and didn't mind taking on an extra little one for the weekend.

Miss H was super excited about going to Queen Tia's and Uncle B's.  She loves them so much and it makes my heart happy.  I know when she is playing with her 3 cousins (soon to be 4) she doesn't miss Chris or I one bit!  Of course I wanted to spend time with my sister and crew too..so Miss H and I took off on Wednesday night to see them.  This way I got to spend Thursday and Friday with everyone.  Plus it helps Miss H to get settled in…oh and we too Winston!! Yikes  I don't mind the drive to my sisters with just H, but when you add the dog it is a mess.  He doesn't do cars at all, as in I have to drug him!  Then every time we stop he has to get out blah blah blah…making our drive a little longer than need be.

Come Saturday Miss H could have cared less that I left her!!  She was playing too hard with baby G (he is 7 months younger, its great having a cousin so close in age).  Those two were causing havoc on the world around them.  I took off and met up with Chris at our hotel.  Once we go to the hotel we just kicked back and enjoyed silence…ahh

We did a little walking around the galleria area!  It was nice to just walk, chat, and not have to stop and help Miss H every so often. It was like the good old days!  Minus our trip to Vegas when H was 13 months we haven't been away from her.  That trip was rough too because it was our first time away from her and she had just been so sick…I digress  Chris and I both even snuck in a little mid day nap without a baby to lay down or work around, pure bliss

That evening we got all dolled up and headed down to the banquet room.  Chris' company always does a great job with this event.  There is a cocktail hour with open bar and yummy appetizers which we enjoyed.  Then we go in find our table eat a nice meal.  Once the dinner is over the awards begin.  I love watching everyone get their awards…some you see every year and some are new!

This year has been a wonderful year for Chris.  I can't even begin to tell you how proud I am of him.  He has worked countless hours for himself and our family.  He always sets remarkable goals…and manages to achieve them.  This year was no different he was award an amazing award.  Chris made Centurion which is such a task.  I was so proud to watch him walk up and accept his award!

After the banquet everyone headed out to the hotel bar.  We all just sat mingled and carried on.  Actually Chris and I were very impressed that we stayed up so late.  I think we both planned to head up to bed after the banquet…but then stayed out till 1:30….AHH Party animals!

I told Chris at the beginning of this I just wanted to sleep in if nothing else, and I did just that!  I got to sleep till 8:45 which was amazing.  I know that doesn't seem late to everyone but for me it was good enough.  That extra hour, hour and a half is like heave.  We then enjoy brunch with friends.  After our brunch I had to head back to see Miss H and Chris had another meeting there in Houston.

I am so thankful I have a great sister who took on my sweet baby plus her own three.  Miss H had a blast told me all about it.  Of course they spoiled her rotten, but no biggie I will repay the favor when we watch Baby G in April.  After all Aunties are the best at spoiling…or as Miss H would say Tia and Uncle B are fun!

Life is B.U.S.Y

How is life so dang busy?  I mean really...I don't even have a "job" and I feel like I can't stop running around!!  I know I have not been the best of bloggers and I hate that.  However in 2 weeks I plan to jump back on the blogging wagon and get after it.  Why 2 weeks...um well we are BUSY!! LOL

2 weeks ago we went to my sisters house and hung out.  We had a blast!  I love letting Miss H hang out with her cousins and play.  Nothing is sweeter than watching and listening to them...that is until Miss H decided to scratch or beat on baby G's sweet head.  We are having a small issues with touching our friends and not scratching!!! I hope this phase leaves quickly!  She is an OVER LOVER!!

Then this last week my sweet mom came down and helped me out with a garage sale.  We have been unpacking and had tons of things from our college days that needed to go.  You know when both you and your hubby live on your own for 5 years after college you collect a few things.  However, many of those things needed to move on to some other home.  Plus I had tons of clothes I wanted to see leave!!  My mom is an amazing "garage saler"...both having and buying!  Thus I was beyond grateful for her help here.  Plus we cleaned up the garage so our cars can fit nicely in there.  Life in the garage is organized thanks to mom and I!  We sold a lot of stuff and then donated the rest of the clothes that didn't leave!  Then mom stuck around and extra day or two for some fun...we managed a trip to IKEA!  Neither of us had been before and man was it fun.  We enjoyed learning the ways of IKEA and got to eat with one of mom's friends.

No more than had mom left and in came Chris' family.  The Roberts' clan came to stay with us for this week.  We are happy to have them all here in our nice big home.  It is so nice that we can all stay in one place and have plenty of room!  This is Chris' dads first visit to our new house so that is fun too.  As you can imagine we have been busy partying it up over here.  Thus far we have shopped, hit a Rangers game, and enjoyed some pedicures together!!  We still have more fun to come...

heading to the game...

having a dance party

Because we are about to join my dad's side of the family in Cali!  We are headed there for a wedding and can't wait.  Of course we have big plans to enjoy every part of the trip.  Some of our fun will be at the San Diego Zoo, seeing cousins and family, oh and joining my sisters family at Disney Land!!  Whoo whoo!!  Can you see why it will be at least a 2 weeks before I am back to blogging? My goal is 2 weeks but I have a feeling it may be more like 3.  Needless to say there will be tons of pictures to post once I get back into it!

Hello Matey!

One can only understand that when there is a long pause in our blogging we must be TRAVELING. We have been crazy busy this past month and spent very little time at home.  Our lives get really crazing from November through December and now January (thanks to Miss H's birthday).

Where have we been?  In the deep sea of course since we were at B's Pirate party!  My sweet nephew turned 5 and had another amazing birthday party thanks to my sister's creative powers.  She really goes all out with their birthdays, I don't know how each year gets better and better.  (see last years train golf party here) The pirate party was a huge hit.  He and all his friends loved every second of it.  Really you can just see all the fun.

 The birthday boy with his wonderful cake! 

 Making pirate cookies with blood, eye balls, and more! 

Then it was off to the cannon ball fight...against the parents!  I couldn't figure out who enjoyed it more the dads or the kids.  All in all it was the best cannon ball fight I have ever been a part of! 

 Oh and of course Miss H had to get into the part! Ha...

 Loving on cousin Little Bear

 being silly with her turkey bow on

 someone found the doggy door...uhg

 cousins with matching turkey shirts...

 the treasure map....hope the pirates can find the goodies

 her new way to sit...on one knee

The pirate ship my mom spent 2 days building for the pirate party

Surprise trip to EC

I love this picture of them loving on their cousin.

Mom and I had pretty much done all the shopping we could do at the Country Living fair, so Sunday we packed up and headed out.  Originally we were going to just head back to my house, but soon plans changed.  Mom mentioned going to my sisters....so I looked to see how far or close we were.  My sister lives 4 hours from me, so I was thrilled to see that we were only about 2 hours from her house.

Now the problem was...Abby's family was on a cruise and returning that day.  I told mom that the ship would dock early because it would want to leave with new people that evening.  Sure enough as we were just wrapping up packing my sister calls.  She said we are back!!!  Mom and I planned to surprise them.  Then she and the kids began the pressure....hey your close why not come see us, we haven't seen Miss H in forever, the kids want to see you auntie....and on and on it went.  I kept telling them we needed to finish shopping but would call back around 5 when the event ended.

Mom, Miss H, and I all headed out.  Of course the drive there Miss H did not sleep one single bit...she was a little fussy.  But hey who can blame her she has been traveling all over Austin and the Travis Expo center for the past 2 days!  Also my phone kept going off with text from Abby and my brother in law.  I just kept telling them that we were shopping and we would see later on.  The funny thing is my bil texted litterally 10 minutes before we arrived at their house in EC.  I gave him some bs about mom buying something...and on we went.

When we arrived we snuck in the back yard.  Then I had to do some handy doggy door work...stuck my arm in to unlock the back door.  Man were they SHOCKED when we came busting in!  Everyone was super excited. We loved visiting them.  Our stay was not as long as we would have liked, but they will be here next weekend!  After 2 days in EC we headed back home....thus ending our tour of Texas and putting us back home for some routine in Miss H's world!

Miss H just playing away not sleeping on the drive

They couldn't wait for her to wake up to play with her.

Cousin B got lots of time with Miss H because it was not his school day

Enjoying breakfast with Little Bear before she heads to school

Miss H and I with my sister and baby noodle! 

Miss H kissing her soon to be cuz baby noodle

Cuz B putting a tower on Miss H's butt to knock off..

Daddy so happy to have his baby home!

Thanksgiving Break

The Roberts' Clan! 

I love Thanksgiving break for many reasons: 1) I get a week out of school! 2) I get to see my family 3) We get to see Chris' family 4) It is my last holiday to be "allowed" to travel!

This Thanksgiving was just as wonderful as the past.  I always begin with a quick trip to the Big EC!  Brooks and Mom share a birthday every year!  This year Brooks had the cutest Golf party because he was turning FOUR!  I of course didn't get any pics....I seem to be sucking at pictures these days.  However, once Abby blogs I will be sure to show you some!   After a very quick 3 days in EC I flew out to good old FREEZING Minnesota!

Chris and I have gone to Minnesota the last 2 years.  Let me begin this by saying I am not a huge fan of Minnesota at WINTER time....last year it was like below 0 or something awful.  However, this year the "Minnesota powers that be" must have known I the PREGO lady who has no winter coat would be visiting.  Actually the weather man said it was 50 degrees warmer this year than last year! WHOO WHOO!!  Not only was the weather nice, but we had the best fun.  Thanksgiving was a blast.  Chris' parents invited over some close friends....who were a blast!  We had some amazing food and great stories.

Note, picture over load to follow.....

Then to top off our trip we had headed to the club for our annual gingerbread house party.  We love this event!  It is such a blast to sit around and try to be as creative as possible....This year Riley and I worked on one together.  Chris and Steve worked on one together also.  Riley and I had a blast working together as we watched the boys try to create new ideas.  Don't worry Riley and I think our house rocks!

 Here is the house Steve and Chris worked on!

 Here is the one that Riley, Teri, and I worked so hard on! 

 Chris and Steve's front and back of their house! 

 The front and back of our house!