Winter Update

Hello Everyone!
We've had a very busy November and beginning of December. First and foremost - HOW IS IT ALREADY ALMOST CHRISTMAS??? Where did the year go? OK, now that we've covered that, I'll give y'all a run down of what we've been up to over the past few months.
The second weekend in November was our 10 year college reunion (has it really already been 10 years...it REALLY isn't possible, it is?!!) We had a good time with friends before and after the game - as for the game...it was a good time, and the Mustangs actually had a few good plays (they ended up losing) while we were there, but wrangling our 2 children was more than we could handle and we made a break for it at halftime. Margaret had lots of fun, and several times told us that "I will go here when I get big." -- Jim and I are going to have to step up the savings plan...ha! Anyway, all in all it was a great day and we found ourselves several times looking around in wonderment that we were back where we met with two beautiful children - it was such fun!
On Sunday of that weekend we had Jack's first birthday party - it was a good time, and fun to spend time with all our friends. Margaret got confused a few times that the party actually wasn't for her, but Jack didn't mind - he toddled after all the older kids, happy as a clam (there is rarely a time that he isn't, to be honest).
The following Friday, MeeMaw, PopPop and Nana came into town so we could celebrate MeeMaw's birthday - it was a fantastic weekend, full of good company, good food (the French Room still can't be beat), and good times. We really enjoyed spending time together with everyone, and Margaret loved the "party a minute" mentality of the weekend - of course, she'll enjoy ANY party for ANY reason!!!
Thanksgiving week was very busy and very fun!! Grandma and Granddaddy got into town Tuesday night, and Uncle Tom and Aunt Alana arrived Wednesday. We all enjoyed some good family time, some really delicious food (thanks, Mom...your pumpkin pie is still the best ever). We visited the Arboretum and the Dallas Zoo - and Jack really did think his Granddaddy is the coolest guy around - it was so much fun for me to see the two of them together.
Phew! There really has been lots going on. In addition to all that, Margaret is really a little conversationalist now - she and I spend Saturday mornings together shopping, or hanging out in Starbucks, or just hanging out at home - she is quickly becoming my best little friend around! Of course, we went shopping yesterday, and she kept telling me that we had shopped enough for everyone else, and could we please go buy her something else? (Instead I was able to divert her attention to the cool ride-on firetruck). Jack is just getting to be a big boy - it's with mixed emotion I watch him getting more and more talkative (ball, thank you, bye bye, mama, dada, and some other babbling that he sure seems to understand - we're still working on the meaning), and I find myself getting sad that he's growing up so fast. I miss my baby, but I'm so glad to see him becoming a toddler, and interested in everything (and I do mean EVERYTHING - if he shouldn't be in it, all the better)! The kids are playing more and more together, and Margaret always likes to help us put Jack to bed at night and get him up in the morning. Their shining faces each morning make me love them even more, if that's possible. Every day I think it isn't, and every day I do.
Oh, one other VERY exciting piece of news...we no longer use bottles - it's true...it's a bottle free, formula free house!!!! (Daddy and I are most excited that we no longer have to wash the bottles, and buy the formula...YIPPEEE)!
This weekend, we got a surprise visit from two of my cousins from Tennessee - Pris brought us a delicious meal, and both she and Jimmy were quite a hit with the kiddos - thanks again for the visit - we hope to do it again soon.
So, all that brings us to this morning, when we went to Brunch with Santa at Stonebriar. It was such fun to dress up the kids in matching outfits, and take them to see him. Of course, as you'll see below, the kids weren't all that sure about sitting with him, but overall it was a great time, and I was again reminded of the magic of the Christmas spirit. The sparking decorations, our wonderful friends (Thanks again, Shell & Kevin for letting us be a part of your family today), our beautiful children...As I said over and over again...we are so blessed. We hope this time of the year brings joy and peace to you and yours.