Holiday visitors

I had just accepted the idea that we were going to be staying at home this Christmas and not traveling back east to see family and friends when we got a call to tell us we would have some company. Then, another. Then, another. Yay!!

Our first visitor was my sister, Megan. Megan was here with us the whole week of Christmas. It was so nice to have her here with us. We all got to celebrate Christmas Eve together with my Sister-in-law, Kelli, Brother-in-law, Mike, and Justin, Alex, and Nicole. It was very special.

Making Cookies with Aunt Megan

Megan got the "ornament kit" this year.

It's an old family tradition that was just between my Mom and my Aunt for years and years. They would wrap up this silly, old ornament kit each year and give it back and forth to each other. When the ornament kit was opened they would laugh so hard they couldn't talk (they still do!). A few years ago, I got it and then it was opened up to the family. This year Megan was christened with it!

While Megan was here we managed to sneak off to take some more senior pictures at the beach. The weather made it kind of tricky because it was overcast and very, very windy but we got some good shots.Our next visitors came on New Year's Day: My Aunt Clarice and Uncle Richie. We had a wonderful, whirlwind visit! The day after they got here we took off for San Antonio. We walked along the riverwalk, ate at the oldest restaurant on the river walk, and visited the Alamo. While we were there not too far away from our hotel actually (we could see the stadium from our room) the All Star High School football game was going on at the Alamodome. My cousin, Sean, is a coach of his high school football team and my Uncle helps him out and this is a big deal for them. It wouldn't even have been on my radar :). We walked over to check it out and my Uncle was able to go inside to take a picture of the field and get a program. He was so excited and I'm sure my cousin was equally as excited to see the picture and program! It was a bonus we hadn't expected.

Anna tormenting Uncle Richie with her hair clip!

Anna tormenting Aunt Clarice with her "dragon breath". She had a nasty pharyngitis/tonsilitis and her breath was horrible!The "team Tyree" knuckle bump with Uncle Richie. Our final visitor was Grandma Judy. Grandma came down on Anna's birthday. We made lots of trips back and forth to the airport but it was sooo worth it! The kids absolutely loved the quality time that they got to spend with each person. They were very spoiled and played hard.

We got to sneak away one afternoon and head to the beach. You can still see some of the damage left behind from Hurricane Ike. Jaden was very cautious at first. When the waves came up to the shore he would run away. Then, he noticed the way it felt when he would dig his toes down in the sand when the water washed away. He started to get used to the way the water felt.

Ready, set...

Go!
Then, he was just in! No more playing around in the sand. Good thing I remembered to bring some towels :)