Christmas 2009

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. We headed to Dallas on Christmas Eve and went straight over to Reyno's brother's house. We spent the day with all his family. The best part of the day was when the snow came. Yes, we had a white Christmas. First ever in my life!!


All the Arredondo cousins

Frances with her kids.

The whole group!

After we left, we went back to my parents house. Isn't the snow beautiful??

Loving the snow!!!

We let the kids open one present on Christmas Eve.

New pajamas!!!!

Opening presents on Christmas morning!!!

Papa and Tio overseeing everything!!

Reyno is thrilled with his new Longhorn Snuggie!!

Very happy kids!!!

All my brothers and sisters and their families come over to my parents house for breakfast.

Here are all the sons-in law!! Reyno, Anthony, Byron and Corey!

Marisa and Zach

All the Weir cousins!!!

After breakfast, we open presents. We always do a "white elephant"gift exchange. We have such a good time. There are 21 of us, so it gets a little loud!

Here are all the white elephant gifts.

Mo and Jackson in front of Nana's tree.

The next morning, Camille, Rosemary and I hit the stores for some bargain shopping.

Me and Camille

Rosemary and I with our much needed caffeine treats!!

After shopping we enjoyed a lovely lunch at PF Chang's!! Yummy!!!

Sweet sisters!! We are missing Gianna...again!!

Our trip was quick, but very wonderful. I love being with our families. There is nothing better in the world!!!
I hope everyone's Christmas was a special as ours !!

Christmas Baking Part 2

Last night was family night. We watched It's a Wonderful Life ( which I have never seen) and finished our baking.

Jackson decorating is gingerbread Jack.

Reyno and Mo having fun.

We each decorated ourselves as gingerbread people. I am the happy homemaker, Reyno is muscle man, Marisa has her signature flower in her hair and Jackson is representing the Horns. If you can't read it , it say AL 0 Texas 100 and then Horns under that. The boy loves his longhorns!!!

We also made fudge wreaths, gingersnap cookies and oatmeal raisin cookies.

We had a great night. I absolutely love night like these. All of us together having fun!!

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!!!

Mary Madeline

Austin

Saturday we headed down to Austin for the day. We didn't have any set plans, we just wanted to be around campus and hang out.
Our first stop was to the CO-OP.

I think it's Jackson's favorite place in Austin, other than the stadium. :) We shopped and stocked up on more longhorn gear(like we really needed it)!
As we were driving, we came across this...

I sure do wish we had come early because this might have been our Christmas card picture.

Now the real reason I love going to Austin is to eat. I know that there are TONS of great restaurants in Austin, but when we asked the kids where they wanted to eat, this is what they said...

And when you eat at Double Dave's this is what you eat...

Yummy pepperoni rolls!!! And yes, there where only four of us eating!!! They were so tasting!

And there is only one place for dessert

I didn't take any pictures because I was too busy eating yummy cinnamon ice cream!!

We had a great day just being together. I hope we can get a few more visits to Austin before we have to move!

Mary Madeline

Military Ball

Last night my baby girl went to her first military ball. Her friend from church invited her to his ROTC Christmas Ball. This was a very big deal for Reyno and I. We really can't believe she is old enough to go to something like this. I have a feeling this won't be her last.

We got her hair done and then headed to her friend's house, where the boys were picking them up. She asked me to stay to help her get dressed. I was so happy to be there with her and was glad to be able to take pictures.

Here is the group shot. Such a nice group of kids.

And here is Marisa with her friend, Zach.

She sent me texts throughout the night to keep me updated on all the fun!!

I am not going to lie, I shed a few tears when they pulled out of the driveway. My baby girl is growing up!

Christmas Baking Part 1

Baking is one of my most favorite things to do. And I especially love to bake during the holidays. This year I wanted to bake some treats for the staff and faculty at the the kids schools. So today I put on my apron and got baking.


Red velvet cake balls

And a fudge wreath. I got this recipe from Rachel Ray a few years ago. So easy and very tasty.

Here are the final products.

Stayed tuned for more baking with Reyno and the kids. I love baking with them!!!

Mary Madeline

Christmas Parade and Program

Monday night was the town's annual Christmas parade. This year both of our schools did a combined float and the kids got to ride on it. The theme was Christmas in the 40's. Marisa played the grandma and Jackson was one of the kids. They were so cute!

Did I mention that is was freezing and raining?? Great parade weather! :) Once we got the kids settled on the float we decided to head some place warm until the end of the parade.

So we stopped off for a little snack. And this is where I discovered heaven in a cup! It's the caramel apple spice. I have never tasted something this good!!!

We had I nice time chatting while our children drove around town, freezing on the float!!

Last night was Jackson's school Christmas program. He was asked to be one of the narrators. He read so beautifully. We were so proud of him.

And in case you didn't get the memo......

Our Longhorns won the Big 12 Championship!!!!!! (barely)
Can't wait for the big game in January!!!!!

Christmas Decorations and A big Texas Thank You

I want to start this post off by saying a big Texas thank you to our sweet friends, the Ruth's!! The night Reyno came home from Iraq, we got a call from a man saying he had something to bring us that the Ruth's ordered for us. I was very excited, but I had no idea what it could be.
Well it was just the best gift in the world!!!! And something I have wanted for awhile...


Is this not the greatest thing ever??? The sweet man who delivered it said to make sure we secure it because people like to steal these! I can't wait to put this in my new front yard when we get to New York. I might just keep it up all year!! Thank you Stephen and Bettina!!! We love it so much! And we miss you like crazy!!

We have finally finished decorating. Both kids were home tonight so we got to decorate the tree together.

Our tree is very homemade. I remember growing up looking at all the homemade ornaments on our tree and my mom loving everyone of them. Well now that is how my tree is and I just love it. We were laughing as we were pulling them out. Now that the kids are older, I don't get as many, but they said they would make me some this year.

Happy to be finished!!

This year we added a new one. Marisa wanted a more themed tree. This picture is a little blurry.

The mantle is plain, but I like how it turned out.

I ordered this wreath our first Christmas in Hawaii. Jackson was just three months old and this is the first thing we had with all four of our names on it. I love this so much!

We have a big day of football tomorrow. The Longhorns are going for the Big 12 Championship. It's going to be a great game!!!

Basketball and Band Concert

Tonight was a busy and fun night. Marisa had a basketball game. Her team is doing so well this season. We had to leave after the third quarter to get Jackson to his school for the Christmas concert. As soon as we left, Marisa's coach put her in the game. And from what I hear, the game got pretty rough. She fouled four times in five minute! That's my girl!!!
Jackson's concert was nice. There is nothing better than listening to 5th graders play Christmas songs. Call me biased, but I thought the trumpet sectioned rocked!!
Here are a couple of pictures...

It is so cold outside!! I think we are getting some snow tomorrow!

Reyno and I have been very busy decorating the house and I think we are just about done. I will post pictures tomorrow!!