The Backyard Project

This is what our backyard looked like BEFORE: DURING: And finally, AFTER: (started right after Thanksgiving, finished Dec. 23rd) Better pictures to come as soon as I get some time to take them!

Decorating for Christmas!

 

The Sunday after Thanksgiving was a perfect time to start decorating, so we jumped in. Dave's mom helped out and the girls absolutely loved putting ornaments on the tree. Madison's little face lit up and she kept giving Dave hugs saying "Daddy, it's Christmas!"

 

Dave decorating the high branches.

 

Marilyn even got a picture of our little family with the tree. Thanks grandma!

Thanksgiving 2008

 

November 27th was turkey day this year. Dave's mom, Marilyn, and my mom and step-dad all came to visit. Steve and Dave fried the turkey while we women made the sides. It was a beautiful, warm day.

 

Dave took his mom and Madison on a ride in his new-ish convertible. Only in Austin can you ride with the top down on Thanksgiving!

 

Dave, Wanda, Linda, and Steve

 

Marilyn and Dave

Visit to Huntsville

 

November 19-23, 2008 Dave had to attend a conference in Nashville, so we girls flew to Huntsville to see the relatives. On Thursday, we drove up to Tennessee and visited with Deana and Papa. That's Madison on the tractor. The girl's most favorite thing was the cats. There were 5 that Deana had been feeding that were just tame enough for the girls to pet (if they could catch one). Then we climbed onto one of Papa's buses (he manages the school buses for Huntland schools) for a photo. I wish we could have spent more time there. I have lots of wonderful memories of Papa's house.

 

Here's a picture of Dad with the girls at Papa's house.

 

Huntsville has this great new outdoor shopping center called Bridge Street. It is absolutely gorgeous complete with a lake, gondolas, high-end shops, and a swanky, new movie theater. Dave had finished his conference and driven down to be with us in Huntsville, so we all (including Dad and Teddy) went out to eat and to see the Christmas Tree lighting ceremony. These are pictures of the girls at Ketchup (a restaurant) and on the carousel. It was a cooooold night, so we were all bundled up. This was a very fun night out.

 

Grandma Teddy made a fresh batch of cookie dough and made Christmas cookies with the girls. They thought that was SO fun! They even got to use all the multi-colored and shaped sprinkles. Thanks Grandma Teddy - you're the best!