Geocamping

Camping is always fun.  What’s not to love?  Trying to fall asleep with all sorts of weird noises,  hiking, cooking food on a grill, and not showering.  We joined some fellow geocachers to camp and do a little bit of geocaching in an event called Safe From the City.  We met some of the Houston geocachers, and just relaxed and enjoyed the great outdoors.  

After Christmas Sales

Didn’t get what you wanted for Christmas?  Hit the after Christmas sales.  Corrie and John hit the stores with her mom and grandmother on Friday and Saturday and found some great deals.  Corrie’s mom found a cute hat, and convinced grandma to try some on too, as you can see in the picture.  

John spent his gift-card from JC Penney’s and was able to exchange some items that didn’t quite fit at the gap.  New khaki pants, a few new shirts, and some new belts.  All in all he was pretty proud of his finds.  Corrie found Fossil watches on sale 50% off, a Christmas t-shirt on sale, and lots of Christmas decorations to put away for next year.  Corrie found some cute nativity scenes, ornaments, and wall decorations all for half off.  She is so excited about them that we may even put them up for a few weeks and then store them for next year.  

Merry Christmas

We spent Christmas day with Corrie’s family in Victoria, Texas at her grandparents house.  It was a wonderful time with family filled with good company and conversation.  We put together another calendar for Corrie’s mom’s side of the family, which was as big a hit with them as it was for John’s family.  I guess we know what we’ll be giving as gifts for years to come.  

Decking the Halls

Christmas happened early in Liberty, Texas with John’s family.  We all got together and ate Corrie’s lasagna, and Meredith’s shrimp scampi, and loads of traditional family cookies and cakes.  John’s cousins Tyler and Alex passed out presents and we enjoyed the look on everyones faces when they opened their gifts.  We were really excited about the gift we gave everyone this year, a family calendar.  Corrie put together a calendar with her macbook and ordered a copy for everyone.  We think we’ve started a new family tradition.  Click here to see photos from todays holiday gathering. 

Christmas Decorating 08

Tonight we had fun decorating Christmas cookies.  Every year we try to get some sugar cookie mix and clear off the counter to roll and cut sugar cookies.  This year it was so much easier to do with more counter space at our new home.  We enjoyed cutting out gingerbread man, and Christmas trees and decorating them with colored icing.  We get white icing and make little icing bags out of ziploc baggies and draw our random designs on the cookies.  Click here to see photos.  

Santa and Selah

Tonight we took Selah to go get her picture taken with Santa Claus.  Every Monday in December was St. Nick’s pet pic’s night, and we decided we had to take her.  We didn’t want to miss the opportunity, so we strapped her leash on and took her to the mall to see Santa.  We were a bit worried because the last time we took her to see Santa back when we lived in Corpus Christi (yes we’ve taken her before), she growled at him.  Happy Howlidays! 

Lisa came to visit!

This weekend we had a fun time visiting with a longtime friend.  On Friday we picked her up at the airport, went out to dinner.  On Saturday Lisa and Corrie went went Christmas shopping, Lisa built her first build a bear, and bought $100 worth of organic soap!  Later that night we went out and ate sushi and went and saw Twilight.  Sunday we cooked a Thanksgiving like lunch with turkey loaf, mashed potatoes and stuffing.  All in all it was fun hanging out with her once again.   Click here to see photos.

Light Snow

Houston received some snow flurries today!  Snow in Texas is rare, so whenever we get the slightest little bit, we go crazy.  Click here to see photos

Corrie's Faculty Christmas Party

Fajitas, teachers, and lots of lemonade!  It’s wonderful to get together with fellow workers and just talk and enjoy each others company.  I love my job and the teachers I work with, they are so much fun!  Too bad we can’t have these get little parties more often

1000th Day Anniversary

Today we’ve been married for 1000 days.  John somehow remembered, or figured it out, and brought home this wonderful treat.  Cookie cakes are my favorite!  He’s a keeper!  

In addition he also bought Corrie a little present, the remainder of the books in the Twilight series.  John, you’re the best! 

Twilight

While visiting with Abby and Will this weekend Abby let Corrie borrow a book, Twilight.  She’s hooked.  Every spare moment from after school to bedtime have been totally absorbed with reading.  Obsession is probably a better way to describe it. 

Surgery and Houseguest

John’s father is having surgery tomorrow to remove cancer from his lungs and diaphragm.  James Portier was diagnosed with Mesothelioma in September.  Bonnie, John’s mother will be staying with us so she is closer to the hospital.  Please keep her and James in your prayers.   

Oscar our cat has been trying to do his part in providing comfort.