New Year's Eve 2008

There is always this pressure to do something really fun for New Year's Eve . . . and every year I wait to the last minute to try to find something to do, try to coordinate a get-together with friends, or think of a "fun" place to go . . . Ugh! Once again - the same thing this year . . . and here it is only about 23 hours away from the magic moment - and I have no plans. I thought I might be going to Shreveport with friends at one point . . . but guess that is not going to materialize. I have no idea what I will do. I might just invite some friends over for games - snacks - and watching the ball drop in NYC!! Not too exciting - but better than just staying home alone doing nothing (I remember many of those days doing that in Portales & Clovis). Well, we'll see what I end up doing . . . I'll take a few photos though!

Christmas in Katy

This is Leah's cat, Tinker, and he was fighting with me!


Cy lets me take his picture so Riley can draw on him to make a Santa face!


Mom is showing Daisy some love! She is so mistreated!

Chad and Ashton

Cy, Riley, and Ashton after leaving the BodyWorlds exhibit in Houston.

Ashton, Daisy, Mom, and Dad - opening gifts at Leah's house!

Amy is teasing Daisy with some caramel corn on the table.

She's still trying to get it . . .

She's almost got it!!!!

Daisy and Ashton . . . ok, so I have a LOT of pictures of Daisy. So I secretly wish I could have Daisy . . . even though I don't want a dog - I'd take her in a second!

Daisy and her Santa hat!

The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button

This is the movie we all (Mom, Dad, Leah, Chad, Cy, Riley, Jason, and me) watched on Christmas Day while in Katy, TX. It was a good movie - three hours - but good!

Am I really 40 now???

I can't believe it is really happening . . . 40 . . . life is over! It feels really weird to be turning 40 . . . it is hard to believe. I was surprised last night when Bobby, Patrick, and Jason held a birthday party for me . . . and I had no idea what was going on. It was a fun time with a few friends!













Nicola













































David and Evan














Chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting . . . very good!















Evan and Tina!














David, Evan, and J2















Bobby and Patrick know how to throw a great party!















Jason and Nicola chillin' on the couch!














Evan gets the new b-day gift that will be passed on from friend to friend (because Victor broke the first one).

A few of the gifts for being so "old!"

Time

Great Choice!

Volleyball is over . . .

Today was the fall tournament and my team was predicted to do really well, but . . . we didn't. We might have placed 6th or 7th out of 12 teams. We ended the season tied for 2nd place - but ended up in fourth (trying to eliminate the tie). Oh, well . . . it was a good season -and I had a good time! Guess I'll try the captain thing again in the spring season. I'll have to try to draft David, Rob, and Victor for sure!

The New "Fake" Tree . . .

Ignore the fact that my hair makes me look like an even bigger dork (I am STILL trying to get it to grow out - Ugh!) - way too short. This is the new tree . . . and I think I'm liking it. Broke down and finally did the fake tree in an attempt to void the horrible death of the tree and all of the needles . . . not any fun to clean up! This one will be nice - but I sure do miss that smell the real tree puts off . . . guess you can't have it all!

Fruit Pizza!

Riley and I REALLY like some fruit pizza! This is one of my favorite things to make - and I especially like making it when I can share it with Riley! I'm not sure who eats most of it . . . probably Riley! We like it as an after dinner dessert - or even for breakfast! We will eat it ANY TIME of the day! Just thought I'd include a picture of our masterpiece that we created on Thanksgiving Day!

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary, Mom & Dad! Wow, 42 years and MANY MANY more to come!

Remembering Shawn

In Memory of Shawn Robicheax

December 31, 1971 - November 28, 2008

Death is not the end

Death can never be the end.

Death is the road.

Life is the traveler.

The Soul is the guide.

Shawn is now on that road and I believe his soul will be guiding him safely as he travels on his next journey. You touched many lives during your time on Earth - and you will be missed. Good-bye, my friend . . .

http://www.mem.com/Story.aspx?ID=2734944

Ice at the Gaylord Texan Resort

Leah, Trey, and Riley came to Dallas to spend Thanksgiving with me. I wanted to do something special and something different - so on Thanksgiving night I took them, J2, and Nicola to the Gaylord Texan Resort to see Ice! We had a great time and took a TON of pictures. Below is a sample of some of the pictures . . .

Riley is not too thrilled about having his picture taken!

Leah poses by some white trees before entering Ice!

Riley, Trey, and Leah

This was a cardboard cut-out of a lady . . . not the real thing!

J2 is always trying to amuse the crowd!

Our first photo as we entered Ice!

J2 - models this year's Ice! coat.

Leah is trying out her "model" pose . . .

Brother and Sister

Trey

Trey is freezing as we are half way through Ice!

Leah, Riley, Trey, Evan, and Nicola take a photo in front of a giant frozen ice cream cone!

Leah, Trey, and Evan

Jason, we are not supposed to "touch" the ice . . . don't do it!

Riley, Trey, and Leah

The family photo!

Nicola's beautiful blue eyes shine in this jacket!

J2

Riley - by Dasher . . . made out of ice!

Leah, Trey, and Riley take a picture by a frozen block of ice carved into Santa.

Leah strikes a pose!

Riley by a giant ice angel . . .

J2 tries to pet the lamb at the nativity scene.

The last ice scene . . .

Leah, Trey, and Riley . . . .