Soldier Hollow

Tubing at Soldier Hollow was a fun way to end our winter vacation.  This winter sports venue is nestled in the mountains of Midway, Utah and hosted several events during the 2002 Winter Olympics.  The children loved the thrill of tubing down the slopes with their cousins. 

   

 Nathan and Max

Caroline will miss dressing up in her purple snowsuit and striped hat.

Such beautiful snow-covered mountains and wide open spaces.

Merry Christmas

Winter Wonderland

Their Christmas wish came true...

 SNOW...and lots of it!  It has been a full day of fun building snowmen and snow forts, throwing snowballs and simply enjoying every minute in the billowy white powder.  No complaints of being too cold, thanks to warm coats and mittens and grandma's delicious warm meals.  

Brian having a little too much fun with his favorite winter toy. 

This little Houstonian couldn't get enough of the white stuff or riding on the back of Grandpa's "Rudolph."

Christmas Past and Present

An attempt made by Mom to dress Carrie and me as Mr. and Mrs. Claus.  Did I really consent to wearing this suffocating beard made of batting?

Soon after our arrival to Grandma and Grandpa's house, a knock came at the door.  A well-dressed Santa and Mrs. Claus, along with "Jingle" the elf, dropped by to wish us a Merry Christmas.

It's a...

This morning our family met with a good friend, an ultrasound technician, to find out the gender of our growing baby.  Before the appointment, each member of the family voted BOY or GIRL.  The votes came in 4:1.  Caroline was quite confident in her vote for a girl!

Voting Results
Brian:  boy
Christine:  boy
Nathan:  boy
Maren:  boy
Caroline:  girl

A first look at the ultrasound revealed the obvious:  Caroline was right.  Reaction to the news?  Also 4:1.

Overall Reaction from family members
Brian:  very pleased  
Christine:  so joyful
Caroline:  very happy
Maren:  so excited
Nathan:  devastated

It was a special occasion for our family to see this tiny, developing baby that will soon be ours to hold, love and welcome into our home...in a pretty pink blanket.

In Loving Memory

Although two years have passed, the memories of Sarah are ever with us, engraved in our hearts.  Today we reminisce on her life and the sweet example of love, patience, courage, kindness and faith she was to all who knew her.  

"It is not the length of life, but depth of life." 

~Ralph Waldo Emerson  

This morning the children and I participated in a fundraising walk at their elementary school.  The students are collecting money this week to help a fourth grade teacher whose husband has been diagnosed with bone cancer.  We were grateful for this opportunity to help someone who is currently battling cancer, especially today.  The fifth graders designed shirts in honor of him and wore them for the walk.  

Nathan walked several laps with his good friend Landon.

Thank you family and friends for your thoughts and prayers today.  We feel your love and appreciate your support.  What a sweet surprise to find this delightful frog balloon tied to Sarah's bench.  Thank you to the anonymous friend who remembered Sarah today.

Loving grandparents decorate Sarah's spot in Provo, Utah.

Mothers Against Cancer

I recently joined a local non-profit charity organization called Mothers Against Cancer.  For sometime I have wanted to do something in Sarah's honor that would benefit children and their families who are facing the same battle.  This organization meets once a year, the first Monday in December, to raise funds and auction off hundreds of gifts and baked goods.  All proceeds are given to Texas Children's Hospital to fund research programs and assist families in need.

Today I had the privilege of attending their annual luncheon.  I felt impressed to bring with me one of Sarah's funeral programs.  The program has a beautiful picture of Sarah on the front with several other sweet photographs throughout.  I am always grateful for opportunities to share this with others.

I enjoyed a delicious lunch and the company of several women who were seated at my table.  I showed Sarah's program to a friendly woman sitting to the right of me.  She asked if I would share our experience with her.  Soon after she stood up with Sarah's program in hand and tearfully expressed her sadness over our loss and explained to the other women seated at our table that this was the purpose of Mothers Against Cancer--to celebrate the lives of those who have lost their battle to cancer and help save those who will one day be faced with the disease.

A few minutes passed and this same woman left the table for a brief moment and returned with Dr. Poplack, Director of Texas Children's Cancer Center.  Dr. Poplack shook my hand and asked that I share Sarah's story with him.  He graciously gave condolences and affirmed to me that the funds raised through this charity were greatly benefiting Texas' Children's cancer research.  He gave me the very grim statistic that in this hospital alone, one child dies every four days from a brain tumor.  Children and their families from across the world travel to Texas Children's for treatments and cures.  Dr. Poplack asked that I mail him one of Sarah's funeral programs that he might share it with his colleges.  I was touched that he was genuinely moved and wanted to remember one of the numerous little faces cared for at his hospital.

This week marks two years since Sarah's death.  In some ways it seems her life ended long ago and in other ways it was just yesterday that I held her close and sang her favorite lullaby one last time.  I am grateful for many opportunities to honor and remember her.

Grandma Comes to Town

It's always fun when Grandma comes to town!  My mother arrived the day after Thanksgiving and for six days showered us with her love and attention.  The highlights of our week include: a road trip to Galveston's Moody Gardens and stroll through Historic Downtown, a visit to the beach, decorating the home for Christmas, making gourmet pecan logs for the first time, holiday shopping, savoring yummy lunches and delicious dinners at some of our favorite restaurants, and purchasing two matching "Snuggies" to keep mom and I warm and cozy in the evenings.  Thank you for your visit Mom, we already miss you!  

I am thankful for...

my circle of friends.

I feel very fortunate to have so many dear friends.  They love me for who I am, inspire me to live better, give me strength and support when I feel weak, and add an abundance of joy to my life!

I am especially grateful for friends that have come into my life since the passing of Sarah.  Many of these individuals have suffered great losses of their own and have been such a source of comfort for me.  I am thankful for their examples of faith and hope.  Thank you Beth for your kindness and support through the first and second year.  I will be thinking of you on Thanksgiving Day and in the month ahead.  I pray that you will feel close to your mother as you gather with family and friends.

I am thankful for...

phone calls from loved ones.

This morning (around 10:00a.m.) Maren called from her school classroom asking if she could come home.  In her words, "We're not learning anything today and I want to begin celebrating Thanksgiving!"  A few minutes later I picked her up from school.  We enjoyed eating lunch together, a bowl of soup with crackers.  Later Maren made these pretty place setting cards for our Thanksgiving table.  I thought it was very sweet of her to make one for Sarah.

 

I am thankful for...

good neighbors. 

...The kind of neighbors you can rely on for more than just an egg or cup of sugar.  Our family has been fortunate to live next door to such a friendly, caring couple.  They love our children (and dog) and genuinely care about us.  They invite us to backyard barbeque's and allow our family to swim in their pool.  They call to check in on us and enjoy regular visits on the sidewalk between our homes.  We have grown to really love them and consider them as family.  


In a couple of months another family will be moving into our cul de sac.  We have known this special family for the past 4 years and so excited to have them as next door neighbors!  Our children are counting down the days until they have friends their age to play with outside.  This is indeed something to be grateful for.  

I am thankful for...

the joy my family brings me.  

Click here to watch a short clip created by Nathan and Brian.

I am thankful...

to be married to a man who never wants to disappoint his children.  

A late Friday afternoon work meeting made it impossible for Brian and Nathan to attend the annual Fathers and Sons Campout.  Wanting to please Nathan, Brian set up a tent in the backyard for an overnight camping adventure.  The boys roasted marshmallows over the grill and stayed up late reading stories together.  It was a cool night, but they stayed nice and warm bundled up in sleeping bags and blankets.  

I am thankful for...

November days spent in the backyard without a coat or gloves.

The Performers

It has been a busy month for Nathan and Maren on the piano.  They participated in a Fall Piano Festival performing two memorized pieces in front of a judge.  That evening Maren was chosen to play in a "Judges Pick Recital".  She was thrilled with the opportunity to perform on a large stage with a beautiful, black grand piano.  Maren showed such confidence and grace on stage.  She performed so well and is now even more enthused about continuing to play this instrument.

Last Friday night they both performed at the elementary school's annual talent show.  Before the show, they gave a private concert for our family.  Click here to listen to Maren perform, "Carefree."  Click here to enjoy Nathan's "Shifty-Eyed Blues" (with a little help from Caroline). 

Holiday Wassail

It is a tradition in our family to drink a cup of warm wassail before our Thanksgiving feast.  A simmering pot of wassail fills the air with a comforting cinnamon-apple fragrance that will welcome your dinner guests and add to the overall ambiance in your home.  

Wassail 

1 gal. apple cider, plain

1 qt. orange juice

1 cup lemon juice

1 qt. pineapple juice

24 whole cloves

4 cinnamon sticks

1 cup sugar

Mix all ingredients and simmer 10 minutes.  Remove cinnamon sticks and cloves.  May be kept in crock pot or simmer to keep hot.  This recipe makes enough for a large crowd.  If it is for a small gathering, you may want to consider cutting the recipe in half.

Pecan Pie

It is hard to believe Thanksgiving is just over two weeks away.  This week I am organizing our family's favorite holiday recipes.  A friend asked if I would share my recipe for pecan pie.  Topped with a little vanilla ice cream, this dessert is sure to please the "nuts" in your family.

Pecan Pie
2/3 cup sugar
3 eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 cup dark or light Karo Syrup (I prefer dark)
1 cup pecan halves (I cut the halves in slightly smaller pieces)


Beat all ingredients (except nuts).  Pour mixture into unbaked 9" pie crust.  Cover the top with pecans. Bake at 375 for 40-50 minutes.  I cover the pie crust edges so they do not burn.  This pie is best if made the day before, refrigerate after cooling to room temperature.   


Short cut:  If you're not up for making your own pie crust, purchase a frozen ready-made deep dish.  It is almost as good.  

The Little Black Dress

All three of my daughters have worn this black velvet dress.  I wonder if this special hand-me-down will be worn by a fourth little girl?  Caroline wore the dress for the first time today.  To complete the look, I put Sarah's black bow in her hair.  She so resembled Sarah, more than once I had to take a second glance.    

Maren ~ 2 years

Sarah ~ 2 years

Caroline ~ 2 years

Happy Halloween

The little Pumpkin Fairy

The sassy Flapper Girl

The goofy Clown

The Witch

Trick-or-Treating in style with a new bag.

Thank you Erin! (emcreativedesigns).

Saturday night at the annual Trunk or Treat

Brian holding his favorite fairy

Texans Give Drugs the Boot!

To kick off Red Ribbon Week, the elementary students were asked to dress up in their cowboy/cowgirl boots and hats.  All week long the kids will participate in activities that will help them learn to say NO to drugs.

These two Texans are pledging to live a drug-free life. 

Caroline wanted to dress up just like big Bro. and Sis.

Cutest lil' cowgirl

Our drug-free dog