Fifty.Five/Three.Six.Five

I remember thinking, "This is such a great tradition!!!"

That was 9 years ago.

I'm over it.

December 1st.

I put it off as long as I could.

Bowdee is back.

Eighty.Three/Three.Six.Five

If you've ever hung out with our crew for more than a day, you know at some point Karaoke will overtake the evening.

This might have been one for the record books.

(Sidenote:  The lyrics of a song, take on so much more meaning when you hear your child sing them, especially blasted over a microphone.)

Fifty.Four/Three.Six.Five

It's almost December.

Houston, we have a problem.

Solution:  Crank the AC.  Turn on the fireplace.  Overlay snowflakes.

Fifty.Three/Three.Six.Five

He is my favorite Christmas decoration.

We've been wondering for some time now what Ally thinks when it comes to Santa.  Dad feels the 'conversation' needs to be had.  Mom isn't so sure.  When is it time?  I remember finding out....

Picture this: you go looking for hidden gifts with your siblings at the age of 8, then find a 'main' gift in the (unplugged) freezer in the garage, then your Big Sis is so worried come Christmas morning you will rat everyone out when the present is opened, then she decides to tell you the 'truth'....

So, when, as a parent, do you broach the subject if it's never been brought up?

Driving to Barnes and Noble, that's when.

Mom - "So....what is your take on Santa?"

A - "What do you mean, what is my take on Santa?"

Mom - "I mean, do you think a big jolly man comes down your chimney?"

A - (with a sly smile on her face) "Well, it's never been proven otherwise.  And you know what Mom, it's so much more fun to just believe." 

How did I get so lucky?

Fifty.Two/Three.Six.Five

Thanksgiving is over.

It's time.

Fifty.One/Three.Six.Five

I am so very thankful for these two turkeys.

Fifty/Three.Six.Five

Dogs make life that much better.

Forty.Nine/Three.Six.Five.

Brothers.

I seriously LOVE the holiday season.

Forty.Eight/Three.Six.Five.

She has become a fan of making scrambled eggs for anyone who is willing.

PS.  She doesn't eat eggs.

Prepping for Thanksgiving is a whole lot more fun when your child is involved.

Forty-Forty.Seven/Three.Six.Five.

This picture is going to take the place of all my pics for the next week.

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.

Happy Birthday, Doublemeat.

Thirty.Nine/Three.Six.Five.

Super Night for a Super Moon.

Thirty.Eight/Three.Six.Five.

I was trusting enough to actually let Ally take control of my camera for the last half of the game.  As I downloaded all of the 300 pictures she took, I'm seriously glad I did.

What a shot.  She deserves today's 365.

Photo by: Alison Franks, Age 12

Thirty.Seven/Three.Six.Five.

A day of family, friends, laughter, food and drink.

A 20 year reunion celebrated with smiles and hugs.

A tailgate spent predominantly upside down for this little girl. 

In the words of my husband...

"It's Game Day Bitches"

Go Coogs!

Thirty.Six/Three.Six.Five.

It's been a week.

A strange week on many levels.

A sad week on many levels.

An election, not soon forgotten, and one that will definitely be etched in history.

The future seems a little uncertain (and even a bit unnerving) to many Americans, while it seems a needed change for others.  Such opposing views, it's hard to believe a nation can be so blatantly divided.

No matter the opinion, it's definitely a future on a new path.

I believe we are strong.  I believe people are good.

Love always wins.

Happy Veteran's Day.

Thank you to all of those that have served this beautiful country.

Thirty.Five/Three.Six.Five.

Sometimes you just look up and see something that calls for a picture.  Little did I realize what was to come a few days from now!

Thirty.Four/Three.Six.Five.

It doesn't get much better than a brand new, crisp and clean, white pair of Keds.

Thirty.Three/Three.Six.Five.

Remember when you used to have to meet at someone's house to do group projects for school?  My how the times have changed.

Thirty.Two/Three.Six.Five.

A best friend sends flowers to congratulate her favorite little gymnast the day after her big meet.  I'm one lucky lady to have someone like her in my corner.

She's my Christina forever and always!

Thirty.One/Three.Six.Five.

So proud of this little munchkin.  She has worked very hard these last few months to make it here.  South State is a big deal and she did wonderfully.  Some of her best routines to date and a personal best All Around score.  She reminds me so much of myself out on the floor, it is, at times, scary.  However, I have to admit - the nerves watching from the sidelines - is far worse than anything I remember when actually being the one on the floor....and it's only the beginning.

Guacamole, guacamole, guacamole high.  Hit 'em with an enchilada right between the eyes! Hey!

Thirty/Three.Six.Five.

So this picture was actually taken by Alison.  So credits go to her.  However, I love everything about it, so had to use it.

Everybody's somebody in Luckenbach, TX.

Twenty.Nine/Three.Six.Five.

Have I mentioned how much I love the fact that this little turkey lives a mile away?

Twenty.Eight/Three.Six.Five.

As I decorate the house for Thanksgiving and a fall season that seems to be going on strike this year, I see my first Christmas commercial of the season.

The Christmas lights on houses the day after Halloween, the holiday decor lining the stores in October, the commercials on TV - it always catches me a bit off guard.

But there is a part of me that loves every (too-early) minute of it.  And let's not talk about the fact that I may or may not have already watched a Hallmark Channel Holiday Movie.

Twenty.Seven/Three.Six.Five.

Onto the next holiday season!