Time with Tia

So after the boys and I did not get to spend much time with Tia over Thanksgiving Tia suggested she spend a few nights with us over Christmas. (For those of you who don't know the story I guilted Jenny to stay with us) She arrived Sunday morning and we all ate cafe con leche y tostada together, and then we spent the afternoon at the Falls waiting in line for 2 hours to have our picture taken with Santa. Tia was a team player.

Then today we packed in the fun by Christmas shopping, going to a Christmas park, making Christmas cookies and going to see Christmas lights. Yes, we jammed it all in, I don't think Tia has ever had this much Christmas fun in her 27 years! Or this domesticated!!! She is tired, but the boys and I have GREATLY enjoyed having her all to ourselves! Here are a few pictures of our memories with Tia.

Not sure what this face is, but I think she is pretty proud of herself.

We are future Betty Crockers!

Tia is not a good influence.

He couldn't resist!

It was a family effort!

Today we the boys and I got to go to the park with Tia. We had a great time! I mean a holiday park in Miami on the sand??? What more could you ask for? We thought it would be cooler, but alas Miami does not allow for cool weather when it getting close to Christmas. I don't think it would actually be Christmas in Miami if it were cold. Tia was not dressed to her best and would not let me take a picture of her, but she was there.

Posing with Mommy is asking a lot.

A sleigh on sand?

They have their own way to go down the slide.

What this face is about I don't know.

Ben's Christmas Performance and Santa

Tonight was Ben's first school performance, and even though it was not Broadway material, he made me tear up! I had such a wonderful time. But it was a little surreal being the mom in the audience. Here are just a few pictures I wanted to share.

I think he was trying to dance?

Now maybe posing?

And now being a good boy?

The 3 cutie pies!

How sweet are these kiddos?

Every year the Williamson family invites the boys and I to the Riveria Country Club to have lunch with Santa. Andy and I could care less about Santa, but the food is AMAZING! This year my parents got to go too and enjoy the food. My dad did not realize he was going to be Santa's helper. Sam would not let him go when it came time to take pictures with Santa, hence Ogie is now in the picture!

The 4 of us....

and the 4 of them.

Then there is these 4....WATCH OUT!

But the funniest of all is my dad with Santa!

Thanksgiving in a Barn?

How to describe Thanksgiving in Texas? Well a little chaotic, but I wouldn't change it for the world. The boys and I were suppose to go to Dallas Monday night, but Sam had other plans. Sam got sick, so he had to stay behind with Daddy, so Ben and Mommy left Monday night. Daddy and Sam left for Dallas Tuesday night. We all got to meet Baby Ayden for the first time, and he is so precious. Now the Forbes family officially has 5 grandsons!!!

We woke up early Thursday morning to head out to Decatur, TX to have a Calavan Thanksgiving with all 39 of us in a barn! The weather, however, had other plans. It was so cold and the heaters went out we had to relocate into Aunt Susan's house. Like Aunt Susan said, we were making memories. (Very cold memories!) Here are just a few pictures from our awesome family trip! Can't wait to make more memories.

The barn was all decorated and ready.

Sam had fun with his Great-Grandpa Dub.

Mimi trying to keep Sambo warm.

The boys stayed warm playing ping-pong.

The Forbes family color was red. Aren't they good-lookin'?

Much to my dismay Ben LOVES Coke, thanks Mimi!

Aunt Tricia.

The two trouble makers!

Halloween in Dallas

This last weekend we all went to Dallas even Gammy and Ogie went to attend the Langston/Turner wedding (Bret Turner was the best man in our wedding, and Andy was a groomsman in his wedding and I was a reader even though I should have been the best man), and to celebrate Mimi's 60th birthday and Will's 3rd birthday and of course Halloween! We all had such a great time, as we always do when we are in Dallas. It was as usual filled with many activities, and not much down time. But we LOVE going there.

Sambo with Aunt Kiki.

Ben with the birthday girl!

Great Granny! Look how great she looks! THANKS for your prayers!

Her babies minus Jill b/c she also just had a baby!

Halloween night was a BLAST! The boys had so much fun trick-or-treating, even Sam got the hang of it. But he mostly liked riding in the wagon and eating his sucker. Sam was my little spider and we wanted Ben to be Spiderman, but he picked his costume this year, and he wanted to be an astronaut. (He's obsessed with rockets.) We had a great time and for nearly 2 hours all we did was knock on doors for candy! Thanks Aunt Kiki, Mimi, Aunt Rachel and Aunt Becca for keeping up with us!

My greedy spider!

The best trick-or-treater, Mimi!

Blue faced Sambo!

I LOVE this costume!

The veteran trick-or-treaters!

Friday when we arrived Andy and I had to book it to make it to the rehearsal dinner, and luckily for us, Seida (aka Linda Peddy) was happy to help and watch Ben and Sam. The boys had great fun riding in the wagon, playing with old school toys, and of course playing with Scooter! (aka Jim Peddy)

Seida practicing for Georgia!

And Sambo breaking in the old high chair!

The boys love playing with Daddy's hat!

Aren't they happy and so adorable?!

Tia came in for a short visit.

She LOVES her nephews!

Mommy went away.....

Mommy went to Dallas for a VERY short weekend, to host her best friend's baby shower. Rachel is having a baby girl in November and I was on "Team Georgia." I apologize to any friend I was unable to visit with this weekend, it was literally 36 hours! (Mommy can't stand to be away from her boys any longer!)

Ben and Sam did very well here in Miami with Daddy and Gammy.

Team Georgia meets up with Mommy Koch!

Ben's girlfriend Addie, and their best friend Nolan!

Aunt Holly LOVES Will Buck! He is now a big brother!

Our newest nephew, Cole Forbes Buck!!!! And his beautiful mommy Aunt Kiki!

1st Days of School

Ben and Sam are both going to be attending Kendall United Methodist this fall, and we could not be HAPPIER! We went in for Ben's open house first and met his teacher Ms. Melissa. He has a class of 16 kids with 3 teachers, one of them is Mr. OJ! After we left Ben told Andy and I that he better not say "shut-up" or his teacher would not like him. (He said shut-up for the first time this weekend and got in BIG trouble!)

I have started back to work at Gulliver, and LOVE it, but unfortunately they were full in Pre-K3. At first I was VERY disappointed, but after meeting the boys' teachers I see now that God's plan is better than mine! (as always)

So Ben goes everyday from 9-12, and Wednesday and Fridays til 3pm. Sam goes Tuesday/Thursday from 9-12, and on Wednesday Gammy takes him to Mommy and Me, and on Friday she takes him to the library class. (I don't remember her doing those things with Jenny and I!)

Sam was excited to see chairs his size!

Even better, no fighting with Ben for toys!

Ms. Dolly, Sam's teacher, helps Sam.

Mommy taking Sam to school.

Ms. Melissa

Ben learns where his backpack goes.

Daddy came too!

He's ready!