Spelling Bee Champ!

I don't have a picture to post, but Bradley won the 3rd grade spelling bee! He was the only one who did not misspell a word. He now gets to go to the Countywide Spelling Bee where he will compete against 3rd through 8th graders from Hico and Hamilton (he's the only 3rd grader from Hamilton). He's a little anxious about competing against older kids, so I've been talking up the beauty of being the underdog! I must say though, I can't pronounce some of the words on the spelling list he's studying...

Tea Party

On this cold, wintry day, Laurel Ann and I had a tea party. Here you see Laurel Ann and her baby preparing the table.

As she was getting our table ready, Laurel Ann informed me that there are rules that must be followed when at a tea party.

#1. Always have a princess teapot. (Fortunately, we have more than one to choose from!)
#2. Always act like a princess. (Got that one covered!)
#3. Always have a teacup. (That is helpful.)
#4. Always have tea. (Uh, yeah.)
#5. Act polite and kind. (Apparently that is not how Princesses act, since it had to be added!)
#6. If you're bleeding at a tea party, you have to have a Princess band-aid. (Got those too!)
#7. You must have a beautiful table.
#8. A good tea party always gives to others. (Maybe she means the hostess.)
#9. Nothing should be dusty. (She better find another venue for her tea parties then.)

The two following pictures go together. She is showing me how to nod.

I think she could give Martha Stewart a run for her money!

Poor Bradley was home with us, but he was in his bedroom trying not to be sick.

She's learning...

I informed Laurel Ann that she would have to take some cough medicine before she goes to school tomorrow morning. She then informed me that she only told me she liked that medicine because "I didn't want to disappoint you." Her words- but where did she learn them?!?

Party like it's 19....uh 2009...

Can you believe that 10 years ago we were wondering if our world was going to make it through the transition from the 20th Century to the 21st Century?!? That worry seems quite pale to some of the issues we face today.

10 years ago today, Peter's family traveled to Hamilton to spend New Year's Eve safe and sound in the country. I didn't know it yet, but I was pregnant with Bradley. Too bad we didn't know because we could have told both sets of families at one time! That would have been priceless! As it was, it was fun to share the news!

This New Year's Eve, we spent it in much the same way as we did 10 years ago. We shot off fireworks at the ranch with friends. This time, there were kiddos everywhere! Laurel Ann even made it through about 3 rounds before declaring them entirely too loud and going inside to watch from the New Room. Afterward, we all went in for cookies and hot chocolate. We watched the ball drop in New York, and then headed home. We were back home and in bed by midnight! We're getting old!

The past 10 years have been great, and I can't wait to see what the next 10 bring!

Can you believe...

this sweet, cute little boy...

has become this goober?!?

To learn more about Jesus Christ...

Today while riding in the pick-up with Papa and Nana, Laurel Ann was pretending to read a story about Jesus from a sheet of paper. When she got to the bottom, she said, "For more stories and information about Jesus Christ, go to PBSkids.org". All I can say is, "That girl!"

Thanksgiving Day 2009

Two weeks later...

Laurel Ann and Bradley hanging out with MeMe and Pops while they wait for Thanksgiving Dinner...

Cowboy Bradley with Lulu and PaPa

Peter's idea of a power tool...

Sour puss...

Not a good pic of Laurel Ann, but it's the only one I took of Nana!

Peter with his masterpiece

A Nana confection

More of Nana's culinary magic!

Our centerpiece was a turkey Laurel Ann made at preschool

A view of the table
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day. We took a hike through town on Pecan Creek trail, watched football and ate way too much! We were so glad to have both sets of our parents with us on this special day.