Some of my favorite pictures this year....

ok, I made this cute little video, but can't seem to get it to play on here... so view it at this link if you'd like :)

http://s194.photobucket.com/albums/z284/newmanfamily6/?action=view&current=05a6a780.pbr

Mothers Day 2008

This Mother's Day was kind of unique b/c we split the family in half... My mom was visiting her mother in TX, so I took Autumn and Tristan (the bookends) and went to East TX to see them. Greg had promised "the books" a camping trip, so he took Vanson & Shannen and headed to Lake Belton for a camp out, then they went on to his Mom's in Austin to visit with her and a few of his siblings before coming home. We all had a great weekend, but I think we got the better weather :)

Here are a few photos we each took on our own, and then one of me with all the kids after we got back home! I feel so blessed!!

10th Anniversary

Greg and I celebrated our anniversary on the 25th. In some ways, its hard to believe it's already been 10 whole years!! But, when you consider that we have been parenting for 21 collective years (we arrived at this fact by adding the ages of our kids), it seems like we should be years further!! Either way, its been a great 10 yrs (or 21) and we were excited to celebrate it!!

Greg took the initiative this year and planned the whole night. I worried needlessly about his first time planning.... That morning, 2 dozen beautiful red roses came to my door. Then, that afternoon he frosted me with some diamonds. That evening, he had a limo pick us up and take us to a fantastic dinner in Temple. I'd say he did quite well!! All I had to do was call a sitter and go shopping for a dress....thanks to my sista friend Tanya that was a blast!! Our favorite sitter that we all love, got sick last minute so we had a moment of panic, but our good friends the Simpsons graciously kept the kids along with their 3 and 2 others so we could still enjoy our date. I can't even imagine their night with 9 kids!!!! But, because of the change in plans, the kids got to ride in the limo over to their house- they loved that!! When we left, it was POURING down rain~ I was so thankful we didn't have to drive and weren't in the date car!! When we got back into town, we took all 9 pajama clad kids, and of course the parents, for a ride!! In spite of the snags, we had a very memorable night!

So that is where all the mud came from!!!

I knew their clothes were an absolute disaster, but I couldn't understand how they'd gotten so bad... until I found these photos this morning on the camera.... Daddy must have had something to do with it :)

TEXAS BLUE BONNETS... gotta love 'em!!

March Madness

March Madness... much more than just lots of basketball this year! We took a trip to the Dallas Zoo, then got to play in some snow in our own yard the next week. Crazy weather... next week we were out again flying kites in shorts. This week we celebrated two special birthdays!! Tristan celebrated his 3rd with his favorite breakfast choice... biscuits and chocolate gravy. Then, Shannen celebrated his 6th with green sprinkled donuts with his class today... very exciting for someone who has never had a birthday NOT be during spring break before!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

The kids had a ball this day, each celebrating with a party!! They came home with all kinds of goodies (junk) and stories that day. We think our little valentine's are the greatest! Hope all of you had a great day as well.

Wrestling

Before returning home this past weekend, we had the opportunity to watch my 2nd cousins Kolton & Kameron wrestle with their Conroe High School team. It didn't take long for our boys to decide they were lovin' this sport! As soon as break time came, they all jumped on the mat! Tonight, I even found them watching it on TV with Greg! Maybe one day....

In Loving Memory of Memaw....

Alma Elizabeth Penington left us this past week to join her savior in heaven. She was a wonderful grandmother to me, and to Greg and the kids as well. Its hard to say goodbye, even when we know she is now no longer suffering. We will all miss her so much, but know we'll see her
again one day.
We love you Memaw!!

The BOYS

The boys got these shirts for Christmas and I thought they looked so cute, I just HAD to take a picture!!