Big Bend Adventure

December 26th, we headed out early for the long drive to Big Bend. Let me explain a back story for those of you that might not know... when I was a kid my family went on a big family trip each summer. The summer I was 12, we were supposed to go to Big Bend, the McDonald Observatory, and Marfa Lights as a family... however, I got really sick with Tyfus... (who gets that?!) and was hospitalized for a week or so which inevitably meant no summer trip! Speed forward 16 years and I'm 28. My family plans a Christmas trip to Big Bend to see all of the above... when low and behold I end up in the hospital AGAIN! This time trying not to have Aubrie! So despite the apparent cosmic powers trying to keep us away, we once again planned a trip to Big Bend and this time --- WE MADE IT! Brandon and I had been on our own once in college, so we played tour guides for the rest of the family. Fun was had by all (except Courtney and Jason who had to stay home and work :( ) Here's a few of the shots from the trip!

Stop One: McDonald Observatory --- unfortunately - nothing to see there! :(

Stop Two: Marfa Lights - no photos and really nothing to see! (at least not the night we went!)

Stop Three: Lajitas -a nearly abandoned resort in the desert... it was really pretty!

Stop Four: Terlingua Ghost Town - Yummy food, cool things to see briefly

Big Bend - Ernst Tinaja - this was mine and Brandon's favorite place the first time we went to Big Bend

Big Bend - Santa Elena Canyon - this is a cool place with huge boulders and cold sand. The kids loved playing in the sand!

Big Bend - Balancing Rock - this was the only new thing Brandon and I hadn't done and we are so glad we made the vertical hike to see it. Very Worth It!

Big Bend - Lost Mine Trail - although we were all tired and didn't go all the way up, this was our venture into the mountainous terrain at Big Bend.

Pay close attention to Branson's face... he gets soooo tired of his mommy taking pictures!

Christmas 2010

Finally a moment to post some Christmas photos! I don't have access to my computer right now, so a few of the highlights will have to do!

Christmas was amazing this year. We enjoyed spending time first opening presents at our house with the kids then headed to my folks house for Christmas lunch. The kids were of course spoiled rotten, and Brandon and I didn't do too bad for ourselves either! I got a new fancy camera and Brandon got an Ipad (our big gifts)! We are so blessed!

A beautiful flower..

After getting this hat for Christmas from our friends, I couldn't help but snap a few photos to turn into color wonder!

Look what I made!!!

ok, so don't look too closely, and no it doesn't have button holes yet (help Mom!) but for my first attempt at an outfit for Aubrie I call this a success!

Marble Falls Trail of Lights

Its become a small family tradition to meet in Marble Falls for dinner and then a short stroll through their trail of lights. It is a beautiful display... next year we may have to find another small town trail of lights to enjoy!

Zilker Tree

With no Trail of Lights in Austin this year, we had to settle for just going to check out the tree! We had a great time with our friends! We came, we saw, we spun!

Another Santa...

we have seen our fair share of Santa's this year... here's another picture to share... you got to love the attitude you can see all over my little guy as he cuts his eyes over and grins!

Holiday Photos

Check out our family Christmas pictures! So blessed this year! I love my family.. enough said!

Baby Jesus?!?

Every year our church has a live nativity... when Branson was a baby we played the holy family... last year we opted out of participating... this year a friend asked us if we'd be the holy family again... of course I said yes... then as the day approached, I realized that baby Jesus was about 11 months too old, would be talking/babbling, have HER ears pierced, and would never consent to lying in a manager! And likely the littlest shepherd would need to be a cousin of the holy family since I didn't anticipate that he would do his part without us. I was pleasantly surprised with my children's performance last night... the first show Aubrie and Branson were so fascinated by the sheep and goats that they did perfectly... the second show was less perfect, but a wonderful account of the reason for the season!

Christmas Pictures...

Its Santa time again!!!
Here's the best ones of the kids... didn't get a great one of them together so this will have to suffice this year.