My holiday heart, in pictures

**At the risk of ruining the excitement over receiving a Christmas card from the Royals with some adorable new pics of those kiddos, I had to share the following.  So, close this now, and never look back (well, at elast until after you get our card), if you are determined not to ruin the surprise.  Otherwise, drudge ahead and enjoy!**

 

Y'all know how crazy I go when I get pictures from Sarah, right?  I mean seriously, she captures my whole heart's happiness with her talent and a camera.  Every time I get new pictures from her, I think "These are the best we've done!"  Maybe it's more about the kids--just growing more and more in love with them all the time, as though that's possible.  But, I think it definitely has to do with Sarah and her magic, too.  I've seen the way this goes in the heat of the moment, and I just don't know how she does it.

 

The process goes like this:  Make appointment way in advance for shoot.  Swear to have organized assistance in setting up some fabulous "sets" from more creative friends than myself.  Mention it casually to said friend, then fail miserably to follow through.  Realize shoot date is much closer than realized, and there's no time to impose on friends or anyone else to throw this together.  Do the best I can to coordinate clothes, at the very least.  Meet Sarah, and do child wrangling/entertaining/clothes changing/disciplining for 2 hours while she works her magic.  Somewhere in the middle of that, resign to the fact that it was just a waste of everyone's time because she couldn't possibly have gotten any decent pictures with the way we were all acting, the wind was blowing, etc... 

 

And then this happens:

 

 When did they get so grown up??? 

Between them looking so old and me knowing the quality of newborn pics Sarah can turn out, it ALMOST makes me want another.  Almost.

We have done a picture similar to this at every shoot we do, and I just adore looking and comparing them to each other over time.

 

 

 Sass Times Two!  I think we are in serious trouble.

 And a little love for me and my Aggie friends!

'Tis the season, right?!  Gig'em!

 

**Sarah is dealing with a family medical situation, and managed to turn these out super fast in the midst of that so we could send out Christmas cards.  She is amazing and we could not be more thankful for her!  Prayers going up for sweet Abbey!**

Wednesday's Winning Words

As we almost pulled into church on Sunday, Justus said "Mommy, do you know why I want to go to the big Aggie School when I grown up?"

Me:  "Because you love me and would be too sad to move away from home because you would miss my hugs and kisses every day?"

Justus:  "No! {Ugh!}  Because Aggies are so nice!"


He must have read this awesome article by a Gator fan who came to College Station last weekend and had a great experience.  He should fit right in.  Saturday, as we were in various places Spec's, he insisted on going up and saying "Hi" to anyone wearing orange and blue. No, I didn't have the chance to discuss "Howdy" with him beforehand.  That's my little Aggie!

A weekend of firsts

You may recall that this is my most favorite time of year (next to Christmas), and this weekend in College Station, Texas will be the biggest "Welcome Back College Football Season" party in the country. 

The kids are ready:

First Concert at Kyle Field.

First Midnight Yell Practice.

First home game of the season.

First game for the new coach and staff.

First game in the SEC.

Oh, and ESPN COLLEGE GAMEDAY is coming HERE!

No, we aren't going to the game (sniff, sniff).  And because we are old and local, we will actually do everything in our power to avoid the crowds, but the feeling in the air is electric with excitement (and nervousness--we've never accommodated the massive SEC fanbase), and you just can't help but feel giddy.  Yes, we will lose some games this season, so spare me the "Poor Aggies, you're out of your league now" BS.  I don't want to hear it.  Fact:  The Aggies are finally in a conference where other schools' rich tradition is as important to them as ours is to us.  It's going to be great (but I will still be sad on Thanksgiving/Rivalry weekend when we aren't playing our longhorn friends from Austin).

Welcome, Gator fans.  I hope you like our town and our hospitality.  I'm sure what you have going on in Gainesville is great, but just wait until you feel Kyle Field!! 

WHOOP!!  GIG'EM AGS!

In other news--another First: 
The Brazos County Fair and Expo is this weekend. 
We will be there Sunday and can't wait. 
LOVE county fairs.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Ok, maybe it's the Second Most Wonderful Time of the Year (because I do LOVE Christmas) but college football season is a pretty close second.  Think about it---it marks the beginning of the end of what is usually  extraordinarily oppressive summer heat, its the beginning of fall and a new academic year, and its the one time of year that we get to shamelessly brainwash our children into cheering for our alma mater.  I have the generally fotunate situation of living in a college town, and not just any college town.  My alma mater's town.  So, it's everywhere!  And truthfully, it's all year long, but it's most apparent during football season on gameday.  Although the roads in town become a local version of Houston rush hour traffic, everywhere is crowded, and you have to travel at least 20 miles away to find a restaurant where you don't have to wait an hour or more to eat, this place is undeniably one of the best college football venues known to man.  You can't help but be moved by the Aggie spirit.  Yes, I accept that my children will likely grow up and go somewhere else for school, particularly if we are still living in this community.  I am okay with that and in fact, encourage it.  As much as I would like them to be Aggies, I want them to get out and find their way in the world (i.e. do their own laundry and cooking rather than relying on me to do it regularly until they are 22 or 23).  But, until that time comes....I present 2011's first College Colors Friday.  WHOOP!!

Please excuse the drool.  Mommy didn't take the picture immediately upon dressing me and I'm thinking about getting some teeth here pretty soon.

Someone obviously wasn't thinking when I was given the orange paci this morning...

We have no individual picture of Justus because he was too busy playing and we were then running late, but he was super happy to wear his 12th Man jersey today.  When we drove by the tent sale on the way to daycare this morning, he said "Mommy, look, they are open.  After you drop me off at school, go back and get me a new Aggie jersey."  We had previously discussed how his is from last year and may be getting a bit short for him.  Overlooking the facts that he rudely demanded, rather than asked, and they don't have the jersey at that particular store, it was a proud moment! 

Gig'em and God Bless...and BTHO SMU!