Cotton Bowl 2011

This past weekend we headed to Dallas for the 2011 Cotton Bowl. We stayed at the Gaylord Hotel in Grapevine which was awesome. We arrived late Thursday evening and met up with the usual, the Perronis and McKinneys.

Fightin' Texas Aggie Band

Jerry's World (Dallas Cowboy Stadium)

We were invited to a pre-game tailgate at Bob's Steakhouse. It was a lot of fun and we got a lot of cool Cotton Bowl memorablia.

As you can imagine when we get together there are always lots of laughs(usually Seth induced). This picture speaks for itself!

Billy, Football legend Gene Stallings and Seth

He was so nice to continue to pose and take pics with us.

Me and Barry Switzer! I tried to get a pic of his ring but Lonnie said that was a bit stalkerish :) Let's just say it gave "bling" a whole new meaning.

Just hanging out with Governor Perry. Someone didn't tell Evan he was in the shot.

Lonnie and Leslie: Cotton Bowl 2011 Gig 'Em

Jenn, Me and Paige

Thanks again to the McKinney's for organzing everything. Athough the game was a bummer, we still had so much fun and can't wait for our next get together! Maybe next year Aggies.

Ugly Sweater New Year's Party

For New Year's we decided to have a party in honor of our old neighbors Josh and Kenna who were in town visiting. They moved to Cali about a year ago and we have missed them every day since! I also decided to make it an ugly sweater New Year's party because I have been wanting to have some sort of costume party for just about forever. We included kids since most people with kids don't have plans on New Year's or can't get a sitter. We had so much fun and were so glad to ring in the new year with old and new friends. Here's hoping 2011 is another blessed and wonderful year!

This picture cracks me up. Brynn bringing in the New Year.

Stacey, Sarah, Paige, Kate, Julie, Me, Kenna, Eva, Jenn and Bella(a few of the couples were party poopers and didn't dress up but we forgave them!)

The Fellas: Chris, Bear, Drew, Chad, Seth, Evan, Josh, Lonnie and Mike

Ugly sweater participants

Seriously could be the funniest picture ever. Lonnie(aka the tourist), Seth(aka Cousin Eddie) and Evan(aka ???)hahaha

Paige was so cute. Could totally have been an elementary school teacher

Unfortunately the pics don't do my sweater justice. The shoulder pads were out of control!

If we voted on best dressed the McKinney's were the winning couple. Down to the velcro shoes details they looked great!!

Leslie and Kenna

Thanks again to all our friends who were able to make it. At one point we had 13 kids under the age of 6 at our house and not one major incidence(except Morgan locked in the garage - sorry Morgan!) Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas Break 2010

As always the Christmas Break is filled with fun and exciting times! At the start of the week, the kids and I made a quick trip to the zoo and then met my dad and Lonnie for lunch at The Aquarium.

One day the girls and I made a gingerbread house.

Saw the lions

Played at the house. My friend Tiffany has started making embroidered items and this one for Case was so cute.

The first weekend of the break I went to Kansas City to watch one of my players, Katie play in the Under Armour All American match. It was really cool getting to see her play and then I got to watch the NCAA national championship where Penn State won their 4th straight title! Another bonus was I got to hang out with my bestie from 7th grade Jill who is now the head coach at West Virginia!

For Christmas we celebrated at church on the 23rd, (so mad I forgot my camera because the girls were all dressed up) then xmas eve we had my parents over and I cooked while the girls opened gifts from mammy and papa Marc. Christmas day the girls found the presents Santa left bright and early! We spent the rest of the day hanging out at the house playing. Lonnie's parents came over Xmas day and we ate at our house again enjoying our presents.

Lonnie and Leslie Christmas 2010(Our 11th Xmas together!)

We have multiplied in that 11 years :)

Mom and her handsome fella

Trying to get one with my sweet peas

Mamaw got Case his first Polo outfit and he was sooo stinkin' cute! I just wanted to eat him up

He is standing here but it is hard to tell

Mamaw, Papaw and the girls

Santa brought Mallory a Fur Real doggie and Morgan a Rapunzel

Mammy brought Case a 3-1 walker, rider, scooter

Wondering why he can't keep moving!

LOVE this picture. Such a ham and showing off his teeth

Mallory was cracking up. The girls got some Madame Alexander dolls from my mom(I also have a collection) and then one of our babysitters Adriana gave them princess oven mitts and aprons.

Barbie make up!!!! A huge hit :)

Morgan loved her doll and the dress mammy gave her. We are so thankful for all of our blessing this year and the real reason we celebrated Christmas. Happy Birthday Jesus!

Mallory Turned 6!!!

This past Saturday Mallory Ann turned 6 years old! What an eventful weekend we had to celebrate. Here is the birthday girl in her birthday shirt from Janna and her adorable hat that Paige gave her that she wouldn't take off :)

The weekend started Friday afternoon when Mallory had invited her old best bud Rylie and her new best bud Katie to spend the night. We started off making pillowcases with paint, stencils and sponges. After that we had dinner and cupcakes followed by a strawberry shortcake movie. When the girls finished the movie it was time for bed. Here is Katie, Mallory, Rylie and Morgan

Silly girls!

Mallory is such a cheese these days. Lots of personality :)!

Saturday morning the girls woke up bright and early and had some color time while I went to pick up Shipley's for breakfast.

Showing off their pillowcase masterpieces:

Saturday was also my mom in laws birthday Evelyn. We had lunch with her, my father in law, and my mom at Cheesecake Factory. After that we went to build a bear at Mallory's request. We then went by Lonnie's Aunt Diane's for her annual Christmas get together.

Mallory, Evelyn and Case

After stopping by Aunt Diane's we headed to College Station to meet up with the McKinney's and the Perroni's. We went to Gattiland with the crew: Kate, Abigail, Hannah, Mallory, Morgan, Case, Hudson and Bella.

Hi Morgan!

Mallory and Kate(Kate turns 8 this week)

We were celebrating Morgan's bday which was in Nov, Mallory's actual bday, Kate's upcoming and Hudson will be 6 on December 28th.

Bella, Morgan(she got a hat too and LOVES it), Hannah

The crew minus Abigail and Case

When we finished up at Gattiland we returned to Casa McKinney which was decorated so beautiful for the holidays. I felt like we were at a bed and breakfast somewhere!! After getting the kiddos down we had some enjoyable adult time and paid for it most of Sunday ;)

We headed home Sunday morning in time for church and the annual Christmas offering. The girls went on the stage to give money they had collected over the past two weeks. Mallory even took $3 out of her piggy bank to put toward's her collection. We adopted an angel and took the presents and it was amazing to see the 10+ FedEx trucks filled with Christmas presents for the underprivelaged kids. AMAZING! After our service Lonnie and I took the membership class to become official members of Fellowship of the Woodlands!!

Like I said an extremely busy weekend but one full of blessings and good times. I love this time of year

10 on 9

Last weekend I celebrated my 33rd birthday. At 33 God has blessed me with a wonderful husband, three beautiful children and happy life. I am very thankful for everything I have.

This past Saturday one of my good friends captured my treasures on camera. I would highly recommend Sarah to take your family photos. She is just starting out but is a natural!! If you want her information just let me know, thanks again Sarah....I LOVE the pics.

I am only posting a few of the pics because a lot of the others will make their debut in our Christmas card so you will have to wait to see.

And my main reason for posting is Case is 10 months old today, December 9th. I can't believe he is so close to turning one. I know I just updated a few weeks ago about his 9 months so not much has changed except that he is getting cuter and cuter and into more stuff! I love my little man to pieces.

Case 10 month Fun Facts:

Tricks: Standing alone for long periods of time, has taken 1 or 2 baby steps with little support from mom and can squat to sitting from standing

Like to plays with toys he can push- cars, tractor, anything with wheels(already such a boy)

Likes to take things out of something(clothes out of basket, dishes out of dishwasher, etc)

Funny Face- I will have to capture a picture of his new face he likes to make, he's squints his whole face like he is growling- too funny

Food: Does not want to eat any baby food so is completely on regular food diet. I guess once he tasted the good stuff good bye to the bland! Very good eater

MilK: Formula x 4

Sleep: I can't believe last post I didn't put that FINALLY Case is sleeping through the night. He typically goes down at around 7 and will sleep until 6ish. Sometimes he will go back to sleep after a morning bottle. He will wake sometimes during the night but will get himself back to sleep- so glad I am finally sleeping again :)

Teeth: 6 still

Attached to: Mom!! Case is experiencing a little bit of separation anxiety and usually wants mom and wants mom to hold him. This has become a bit challenging in the mornings when I get ready and he is climbing up my leg! I wouldn't trade it for the world however :)