Traveling Around The Holidays

This year we made our way down to Beaumont to be with Brandon's family for Christmas and had a small Christmas with my family the weekend before. Kaitlyn received so many cute things from her grandparents and I couldn't even point to one of her favorites as she enjoyed having a few new toys to play with at Christmas time. What a fun time to watch her open presents. She made sure every piece of wrapping paper went in the trash.

I am proud of myself this year as we were able to celebrate Christmas together a lot this month. We went to see the lights in Deerfield Park at least three times with our families. We went to see Santa Claus, shopped early and I even got creative and made earrings for several friends and family. As much as I want to keep Christmas about Jesus; I also want to celebrate our family and beliefs for God has given us so much to be thankful for.

Kaitlyn with Poodles on her ears!



With Christmas and the New Year around the corner, reflection on 2006 and the upcoming year is all I can think about. So I have decided to write a few things that come to mind.

2006
1. I am so thankful for having flown Kaitlyn and myself to Kansas to see my Grandmother one more time before she passed away on Nov. 7, 2006 at age 80. Gran was a great cook, listened well and could always give good advice.

2. On Feb. 5, 2006, I was so thankful to have made it a year with Kaitlyn. She has grown into a little girl right before our eyes. Now she walks, talks, feeds herself, runs, dances, sings, colors, plays with playdoh and says, "Mommy," which gives me such great joy to hear her.

3. On July 5, 2006, Brandon and I celebrated three years of marriage and look forward to another year.

4. On Sept. 6, 2006, Brandon made my birthday sweet by taking me to a fun restaurant, although I think I am looking forward more to my 30th birthday because Brandon went to DisneyWorld for his. I can't imagine where I can convince him to go with me now!

5. A tradition was born this summer with Pool Time Fridays for Kaitlyn's friends and moms. It was so much fun to play in the pool. We built a pool fence to hold those kiddos in. I can't wait to see what happens this summer!

6. We enjoyed our first family vacation to San Diego in August. We had so much fun and it was pretty economical. San Diego was a great choice as Kaitlyn still talks about the beach and the zoo.

7. This Christmas season I will remember mostly Kaitlyn playing in her new car, giving hugs and kisses to her grandparents and opening presents by one piece of wrapping paper at a time.

8. Kaitlyn is so active and keeps me running after her all the time. I look foward to her having more stamina to sit and play with one toy for longer than five minutes. Oh boy, that would be great! Oh and can I put in this request: Brandon and I be able to take her with us somewhere and she is not running around the whole time. Our little explorer can wear me out, especially when she disagrees with me.

9. On Nov. 17, 2007, Kaitlyn will be a flower girl for the first time. I look foward to seeing her in a pretty little dress again.

10. I look forward to how my relationships will grow with God and within my family, extended family and close friends.