As you can see, the web site looks different. It has been on my “to do list” to redo our site, but honestly, it probably never would have happened. Just too many other things to do. So, instead, my computer’s hard drive CRASHED, which means everything was lost. EVERYTHING. Since I am still a little old fashioned in my view of computers, this isn’t a HUGE deal to me. BUT the sad part about it was losing all of my pictures. Brian does have some on his computer, but mine were the ones taken during day to day occurences...the kids playing and doing their everyday things. It will cost $800 to get them back. Maybe one day.

Check out the new pics. Some of them are from our trip to Orlando’s Science Center with my friend, Laura, and her 2 kiddos. We had a blast. Ainsley’s favorite part was the dinosaurs. She really does love dinosaurs, so I got her one for Christmas. Who knew? Anyways, at the Science Center, Ainsley got to do a lot of exploring and learning, which she LOVES.

Thanksgiving was such a special time. My Mom came to visit. We missed my brother a lot and wished he could be here, though. We ate some amazing food and accomplished a lot on my to-do list. (My Mom always helps me accomplish a lot on my to-do list...we make a good team.) Probably the highlight of the week was decorating the house for Christmas with Mom and Ainsley. Each box was such a treat for Ainsley to see what was inside. We also had fun shopping on “Black Friday”. We always love spending the day with the crowds and finding some great deals. The kids did great.

This time of year is such a blast. I’ve enjoyed creating new traditions and continuing old ones for our family. We have really been immersing ourselves in the season. And in it all, it is so much fun to always point back to “Baby Jesus”. At 2 1/2 years old it is really easy for them to get it. One of Ainsley’s favorite things to do right now is play with all of our nativity scenes. She truly delights in Baby Jesus. We are having a “Reason for the Season” Playdate soon, which will involve reading a book about the Christmas story, watching a short movie that shows the reason for Christmas (that Ainsley LOVES), going on a scavenger hunt for Baby Jesus, using a nativity scene to “act out” the Christmas Story, and happy birthday cupcakes and candles.

We recently went on a trip to Austin to see my Dad and his side of the family. It was so refreshing to be with them, especially my brother and Grandma. Ainsley got to play with all her cousins, which are mostly girls and her age. Needless to say, she had fun. Pictures will be posted in the next blog.

We’ve been enjoying time at home and look forward to some low key weeks with a lot of Christmas parties and festivities. We are busy but also having plenty of time at home. Today, we spent so much time outside because it felt warm. We have a tree in the front yard that actually sheds leaves in Florida! So, our front yard has a lot of big, crunchy leaves in the front yard. So, I put some big empty boxes in the grass, and Ainsley and Braxton had a ball. Climbing in and out of the boxes, rolling the boxes, riding around in the boxes, crunching the leaves, or Braxton EATING the leaves. It’s times like these that I LOVE the most. That is why I REFUSE to let busyness take away my time with the kids.

The kids are better than ever. Except Braxton is already cutting his 4 molars and they are REALLY giving him a hard time. He is a very intense little guy. Everything is 100% with him. 100% happy or 100% upset! He is waving, pointing and grunting, clapping, and more fun things. I love that little guy SO much. Ainsley is showing to be such a mature little girl who loves to do the right thing. She has such a strong conscience. I am growing more and more proud of her as she gets older. I love our conversations. I have been more humbled lately than ever as I look at my kids and my husband and realize this life I have is really mine.