River Walk Lights

So we have officially lived in Houston now for over 6 years. I never thought when we moved down here that we would be here for more than 2 years, 3 at the most. I was very depressed our 4th and 5th years here. I felt like the end had come and that we were forever trapped in the hottest place on earth. Now that we are starting our seventh year in Spring I am so thankful for all the time we have spend here. We have the most wonderful friends, neighbors, community, church and winter weather known to man. I miss the change of seasons, my heart aches for it. I miss the snow so much. God still sends me a small taste every now and then. It isn't the same when the leaves are just on one tree and not the entire hillside or when it snows only enough to cover the hood of a car. I do cherish those memories though.
the gang waiting to get on the boaton the boat

We have been told over and over again to head to San Antonio over the Christmas Season to check out all the beautiful lights hanging from the trees over the River Walk. This year we finally took the time to visit and it is was well worth our time. Sugar looks so pretty

Princess was upset because we would not let her stand up

Goobers looking beautiful

mom and Jumba cuddle up to stay warm

the sights were incredible

We waited for the boat to come by and pick us up. This was going to be fun we could tell. The weather was very chilly. Perfect temperature for looking at the lights.

I know the lights all looked crazy. They were so cool. The kiddos all tried to take a ton of pictures and they just can't do it justice. If you ever get the chance to get your self to San Antonio in between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I strongly recommend that you pay the minimal fee and ride a boat. There is nothing like being cuddled up to your love ones, as you slowing float through a world of lights. They hang all around you and glitter and shine. The memory is one I will have have forever. Thanks to the Moseley family for telling us to do this six years ago.

You can't tell here but the are standing in front of a statue of Saint Anthony. He really is one of our favorites. The younger ones were surprised when they realized that San Antonio is another way of saying Saint Anthony. Mom and Dad by the pretty tree. Looking back at our crazy kiddos trying to get us to smile. All 9 of them acting goofy.

What a gorgeous group of kiddos. J and I truly felt blessed that night. The lights were awesome but were nothing as compared to the smiles of this crowd. Another taste of heaven.

The end of the world is here! (Snow in Houston)

Just to let you all know it is official, "The End of the World is Here!" and it isn't coming in the form of Global Warming.





Here in Houston the outside temperature was 81 degrees according to the car on Tuesday afternoon. In a matter of 10 minutes the temperature dropped about 20 degrees. By the next morning the temperature was hanging out around 34 degrees. Then the "rain" came. It started to fall like snow. WE were so excited. My kiddos have not seen snow fall in years. They ones were jumping, yelling and crying with joy in the streets. (So was there mom - dad, well not so much.)



The exciting part was that it didn't stop all afternoon. The kiddos actually came inside because they got too cold and it wasn't sticking. We were so upset because the videos don't show the huge flakes that we were catching on our tongues.




Then night fell. After the sun went down the rain/snow started again. This time is only lasted for a few hours but it was so beautiful and exciting. Pooker was at a meeting at church and one of her dear friends was giddy when he saw the snow. Pooker "taught" him how to make a snowball and he and his sister ran through the parking lot "fighting" and laughing the entire time. She and I headed home, picked up a few of the other kiddos that were still awake and went out searching for parked cars. That was the only place the snow had stuck to in our area.


These nighttime pictures show the snow falling. I still can't believe that I have these pictures to post from Houston. The sad thing is that it stopped falling while we were playing and was almost melted by the time we got back to the house. It didn't last long, but it sure was fun.
A friend stated on his facebook that he "survived the Houston snow storm of 08". This was a nothing 'storm' but is sure brought us tons of joy. Thank you God for that early Christmas gift.


The crazy thing is that it is supposed to be in the mid-70's on Saturday again.



Only in Houston . . . When living in St. Louis we would always say that if you don't like the weather just wait until tomorrow. In Houston if you don't like the weather just wait 10 minutes.

St. Nicholas We Love You

Happy St. Nicholas Feast Day! December 6Th.

He is one of our favorite saints in this house. We love that he was such a generous soul in the name of his Christ. He led his people while caring for them. He is known for loving the children in his diocese as well. Learn more about this Saint here and find cool coloring sheets here.

As always St. Nicholas did not let us down. We set our shoes out the night before and the next morning we were blessed with a few small gifts of candy. It is just a small taste of the generosity shown by our dear friend St. Nicholas. It isn't even a shadow of the complete generosity shown by our loving Father in heaven who sends us his beloved Son.

We then got to join in an neighborhood tradition. We meet us with Santa for picture time. We bring him canned goods for the local food pantry and then we pose for pictures.

Pooker and her Thanksgiving pictures

When trying to post the Thanksgiving pictures I realized the Pooker was a main theme. Maybe this was because of her new job. She has been working quit a bit and the younger ones really miss her. When she was life guarding we would just go swimming everyday. She is working a little less now that Thanksgiving has passed but the kiddos really did enjoy the day with her, as you can tell in these pictures. Goobers liked not being the oldest for the day!

Oh My Goodness they are so beautiful. Look at those eyes. I think Bagel looks the most like Pooker did when she was younger.

My girls have taught this little man to pose for the camera. What a good Jumba is becoming.

Pickle was a hard one to capture on film today. He is the one that is heard stating how this is his favorite day of the entire year. He also is worried that his Pooker will be leaving home soon to go away to college. He knows that she will do what she needs to do but he has made it clear that he doesn't want her to go far!
These two are the best of friends. Both in high school right now and enjoying that time with each other. They had a blast leading the crowd on Thanksgiving. Goobers and Pooker will enjoy time like this for ever.

I love these two red-heads. Both are strong willed and bull headed but both Pooker and Princess would do anything to take care of you.

Another Goobers and Pookers!

Bear and Pooker are acting goofy for the camera. She better not hurt the boy. He cooks the best turkey ever, moist and juicy with lots of flavor.

Thanksgiving - Our favorite day of the year!!

The theme of the day is to be thankful. How does one show that? I hear people let mom cook and then they sit with mom and show how thankful they are by eating and then catching a movie. I hear others visit a friend or family member and eat and then return home stuffed. Not us. We show how thankful we are by serving each other. Everyone is involved. Everyone helps. Everyone feels useful. Everyone, no matter how big or how small, helps in some way by using his or her talents for the good of this family meal. We are blessed because this is how we are most of the year. I don't have to push them to help with this meal. I have to push to try to help myself. They all want to plan, buy, prepare, cook, decorate, eat, clean up, and have the pies. It is a family process that says thank you to our heavenly father for each other and for our talents.

Everyone helped even Jumba!

Pooker and Goobers usually make the mash potatoes. This year Princess could not wait to help. She dreams of the mashed potatoes being just her job some day. This year it took her 3 hours to peel a 10 lb bag of potatoes. She did it, though, all on her own. She had that same grin on her face when I turned to her during dinner and said that I was thankful that someone had taken time to peel the potatoes because they were wonderful. I need to also point out how proud of Jason I am. He lets each one do their thing, make mistakes, and spends all day with them guiding them. I don't have the patients. God bless him, he really is a wonderful dad and I am so thankful that God hand picked him just for me and our children.

Bear's job is the turkey. It was always dad's until recently when he was willing to share some of his tricks with his son. We have tried different ways of cooking, used different tricks, and even used injections of spices a few times to add flavor. Here Bear is perfecting our favorite method. He is putting slices of butter in between the skin and the meat of the turkey. His sisters thought it looked a little gross, but trust that he and dad make the best turkey ever so they wanted to watch and learn.Here is Bear getting ready to put the prepared bird in the oven. This is a ritual that he and his dad have worked out. It is worth the effort . I am telling you this is the best bird yet. Way to go Bear!

Goobers worked on a stellar pie. She made the apple pie this year. Every year they all try something a little different. As always she did a great job and it was wonderful.

These two trouble makers mostly helped by being the cute comic relief. Although Bagel was always there to run get something. She is eager to be old enough to learn more. I think she helped put out the pickle tray.

In this dish is the recipe for a green bean casserole. Pooker has made this in the past. One year she couldn't find the recipe and tried to make it from memory. It didn't work that year. So when I was out shopping and saw this dish with the recipe as the design of the dish I knew she had to have it. I heard one of the siblings ask her if they got the dish when she left for college. "Oh no, this is my dish, I will give it to my daughter, who will give it to her daughter." I love the idea but the dish will probably break before we can make the green bean dish for Christmas dinner.
Look at this green bean casserole. It was as good as it looks. "M'm!" just like it says on the the side of the dish.

Sugar prepares the rolls with lots of helpers. Poor thing had mom get mad at her when they didn't turn out. I doubt it was her fault she really did have tons of help.

Goobers and Moogie working on the yams and salad. I must say that Moogie was very involved this year. She is watching. learning and trying to find her thing.
Dad is ready to lead us in prayer and begin this meal!

Each one helped serve the dish they helped to prepare. The tray of black olives, green olives, pickles, and okra is one of the favorites and probably most unique to our thanksgiving day menu. The table was set with the good Christmas China. We only lost one dish during this meal. That is a pretty low number for this wild crowd.

The feast was delicious!

Thank you for the Most Wonderful Day of the year! Thank you for the time to say thank you. Thank you for each memory we created today. Thank you for each tradition followed. Thank you for the small taste of the feast of heaven.