You just never know

how God will bring new friends into your life.  This blog has blessed me with some very incredible friends (too many to list really)--- some long distance like Shana and Jen and Di and some locally.  I remember when Denise reached out to me in Virginia promising not to be a weird stalker. We met on Halloween Day about 5 years ago. A deep friendship grew.  Our families really enjoyed one another and we were so sad moving away from them.  Then, a woman in the adoption wait reached out to me here in Texas.  We met a few years ago but our friendship has really grown over the last year.  And our whole family adores their whole family.  Seriously, we feel so BLESSED to know them.  Anyway, last night they had us over for a delicious dinner of seafood gumbo, shrimp and grits and a delicious salad.  It was the best Southern comfort food you could imagine.  And although we have spent a lot of time with Hoot's family, we had not been to their house.  They have been to our house a bunch and we even went on a little out of town getaway with them.  Can I just say we ALL LOVED their house.  You can just feel the warmth and coziness the moment you step in the door.  Shelley has this amazing eye for decor.  I could not stop taking in every single detail. She has the coolest stuff everywhere.  Seriously, as we pulled out of the driveway, every one in our family said how much they loved their home.  Even my teenage son!

Hoot, Kate, Harry, Libbie and Will

I love Shelley's garland on her mantle and those nutcrackers!

Kate and Libbie are so cute together.  They spent a lot of time drawing. We are all quite smitten with Miss Libbie.  This little girl is something special. Nothing keeps her down.  You should see her scoot around with that pink cast!



Their tree is gorgeous but the big hit was the train under the tree. It entertained everyone for a long time!







I love the looks on their faces:)

There was some tickling and wresting...


Libbie and Mr Dave

Kate hopped up on Stephen's shoulders...







She messed up his hair and poked his ears and LAUGHED!

Miss Libbie might have gotten a tad possessive and decided to take back her Daddy!!






How cute is she?

Hoot played a few Christmas songs on the piano.  I started to sing along (much to everyone's dismay).  But I could not help myself.  He is really good.



Most of the time he was off building Legos with Will (which is why they are not in as many photos).

Thank you Shelley, Stephen, Hoot and Libbie for your friendship and for a wonderful evening!

Also, yesterday our fabulous nephew, Jamie took Will and Harry out for an afternoon of paintball. Jamie is 22 and in college and I am so glad that he takes the time when he is home to bond with the boys.  He is really good to them.  While the boys were off paint-balling, Dave and I took Kate out for Vietnamese Pho ( I LOVE it...Dave and Kate tolerated it).  Then, we went ice skating.  It was really crowded and Kate was less confident than she was this summer (and her first time).  We skated for a long time and Kate would have kept going but I was worn out.

It was really crowded and you almost had to skate defensively to avoid the crazy kids. Dave watched and took photos and coached Kate too.

Love this shot:)

I wish there were a close and convenient place to have Kate take ice skating lessons.  I also really have no clue how I could work into our bevy of activities but she sure does LOVE to skate.