The Nutcracker, Thanksgiving and Minted Winners etc.

So much has been going on.  It was our 20th wedding anniversary, Harry's 15th birthday.  I had a little surgery.  Everyday, I think I will post but between work and family and life, it does not happen as often as I'd like.  So, I will try to catch up.

First, Thanksgiving….

Harry did (at the very last minute) organize his annual neighborhood/friend Turkey Bowl.  I was not 100% sure he was doing it and he overslept a tad.  Anyway, he went and had fun.  Dave brought the kids kolaches and doughnuts but I stayed home this year (so no photos).  I caught up with my sister and Mom on the phone and cooked for Thanksgiving instead.

We always spend Thanksgiving with Dave's brother and sister and their families.  Sometimes it is in Houston and sometimes it is in Galveston at the bay/beach.  This year we went to Galveston.

When we arrived the turkey was cooking and my nephew decided to take all the "kids" on a Sunset cruise on the boat.  My niece and nephew are in their mid twenties and they are AWESOME with my kids.  They always have been.  I am really close to them too.  So, Auntie Kim went on the cruise with the "kids."  The legal girls all had mimosas so we called it a mimosa cruise.  Our boat captain and the kids had water and San Pellegrino.

Harry, Will, Cousin Jamie, Cousin Olivia, Brittany (Jamie's long time girlfriend), Kate

Of course Auntie Kim needed some photos on our boat ride.



Kate was not amused.







Me and some of my favorite gals.

Dinner was fabulous.  Dave's brother and sister both have homes in Galveston so they do the turkey and big sides.  We bring a few sides and desserts.  It was delicious and it is was fun spending time with everyone.  We played some games (Apples to Apples, etc).

The next day, we drove back home and put out tree up in a matter of about an hour or two.

I had other things decorated but we typically wait until after Thanksgiving to put up the tree. We take turns every other year with what goes on our tree.  The even years EVERYTHING (like 7 bins) of ornaments and family memories go on.  That takes a ton of time and no one really helps me (except Kate).  The odd years, we just do sliver, clear and white and that goes MUCH faster.  I love our tree this year.

Thanksgiving weekend, Kate and I go to The Nutcracker at the Houston Ballet.  This was our fifth year to attend.  (You can see past years here).  This was the last year for this particular production/rendition of the Nutcracker.  Next year, the Houston Ballet will have all new sets, costumes and choreography.  So we tried to really soak in every detail.  We absolutely LOVE this Mommy-daughter tradition each year.  Kate adores the music and the dancing.  I was not sure she would when she was so young but she always has.

Kate's dress (same brand, very similar style)

My beautiful sugar plum fairy who was so sick of photos:)

I always love to have photos before we go.  Most of the year, I am behind the camera but around the holidays I try to get into photos with my kids and husband so they will have them down the road. I actually drive them ALL crazy because I am so picky with my camera and settings and stuff but hopefully they take it in stride.

Kate and I get to the theatre and then we reserve our intermission snack and table.  We pre-order our drinks and a little treat for her (a salted caramel cupcake this year) and they are all ready for us at a reserved table at intermission.

Cutest little date there is.

This was at the theatre.  They have a giant tree and a giant gingerbread house.



Onto other things...Will was accepted this week at another school.  He got into SMU and was awarded The Founder's Scholarship.  We are so incredibly proud of him.  Will is smart but he is also extremely involved in school.  He is captain of water polo and swim team, president of the young conservatives, a retreat leader and much much more.  He has made great choices in high school and it is awesome to sit back and watch these opportunities come his way.  He is still waiting to hear from three more schools but so far he has been accepted everywhere he has heard from.



My boys were tour guides at the Open House at their high school last week.  I thought they looked so handsome.  They both LOVE their high school.


And MINTED chose the three winners of the $100 gift card contest last week.  They emailed the winners directly.  But the winners are

Alyson R
Leigh B (who introduced herself to me via email this week)
Stephanie S

Thanks for entering.  I am thrilled for you.

I am off to Mass but plan to work on a few blog posts later today on Christmas caroling, gingerbread houses and Harry's birthday and the Teddy Bear tea! Happy Sunday!

Thanksgiving Day and some shopping!

{I am so frustrated--I spent over 2 hours on this blog post and it completely disappeared despite the fact that I had saved it several times along the way. So, I had to start over and I am not too happy with blogger right now! }

I hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving.  It was a beautiful and fun day here. In 2010, Harry decided to organize a morning touch football game for some of our neighborhood friends that are in town on Thanksgiving day.  Many of our close friends go away or to Galveston (the beach) for Thanksgiving so we never quite know who will show up.  Harry was not going to make flyers or send out e-mails this year.  He claimed he was done with the Turkey Bowl.  Four years had been enough.  I was starting to mentally plan a "Mimosas and Macy's Day Parade" gathering in my head.  But one of our friends (the Mom actually) told Harry she'd really miss  the Turkey Bowl and so he decided to do it again this year.

We bring water bottle and doughnuts and kolaches and my friend brings coffee, hot cocoa and whipped cream.  The kids played touch football, frisbee and soccer this year.  And finally the girls got some play time!  It was a really fun morning.

Harry and his friends don't love me taking their photo so I have to be sly about it now.

Kate and Naina played soccer for a while but then they joined the boys...

An action shot of Harry Kate and their friend, Neil.

I love the relationship between Harry and Kate.  He is so good to her....



Kate and I were twinning.
She wasn't dressed for sports cause she doesn't usually play at the Turkey Bowl.
 We usually sit and eat and have cocoa.






Kate: Shirt, Jeans, Vest (similar)
Kim: Shirt, Jeans, Boots, Vest (similar)

We all had a lot of fun at the Turkey Bowl.  When we got home we decided to put up our Christmas tree rather spontaneously.  We have never put it up so quickly.  In fact, we did not even put two whole bins of ornaments on the tree.  I will post photos of the tree in a few days. I am just thrilled that all the decorating is DONE!

Next, it was off to Dave's brother's house (Uncle Joe and Aunt Waukita) for a fabulous Thanksgiving dinner.  We always take photos on their gorgeous New Orleans style porch...







It was a beautiful day here so Kate and Harry lounged around in the hot tub before dinner.











Cousins Jamie and Olivia, Will, Harry and Kate.

We had a great Thanksgiving day and weekend.  I have so much more to share.

However, since it is Cyber Monday, I wanted to share just a few things I really love...

This jeweled sweatshirt for girls is so cute and versatile.  And it's on sale (50% off!)



And I love this one for women.  I have it in charcoal.



These pants are so cute.  The photo does not do them justice.  They look great with denim or dressed up with a jeweled sweater or top.  I love them and have the plaid ones too.



Now this next item is THE VERY BEST THING I have bought all year.  I LOVE it.  It is the softest and coziest thing I own.  I think it is intended as loungewear but I wear it out too. This cardigan looks cute with jeans or even yoga pants!  It is pricey but worth every single cent.  This would be a fabulous present for a best friend, Mom or sister.  Kate calls it my "cozy."  And she loves it so much I found one in her size on e-bay.



I have it in Pewter and it matches everything.  You will not regret buying this.

And finally, I love to give scarves as gifts.  They are one size fits all and very in style this year.

This one is soft and stylish.




I had a bunch more gift suggestions but since blogger is eating my posts and it is getting late, I will stop here.  But I have some more suggestions coming tomorrow.  Hope you all had a great weekend.  I will be blogging a ton this month as we are doing so many fun things.

Disclosure Note:  This post contains some affiliate links and if you purchase items after clicking on links I may receive a small commission from the company (at no cost to you). I only link to products or companies I have used and loved. Thank you.

Winner and Santa

Congratulations to Allison F. for winning the Minted Giveaway for $250.  Minted did not let me know the winner right away so that was the reason for the slight delay.  We contacted Allison and she was thrilled.  My cards from Minted arrived this week and they are so cute.  I cannot wait to share them here. If you still need to order, click on the ad on my sidebar, there are lots of discounts and specials.

So, as I write this post I realized I never posted about Halloween. Yikes. Going to try to squeeze that in this week.  I love looking back at the holiday events from year to year on the blog so I don't want to miss it.

Yesterday, we followed our annual tradition of going to see Santa.  I despise crowds and I am not a fan of malls either.  So, we have always tried to go the day before Thanksgiving right when they open.  It is usually not crowded at all.  Then we go to the food court and let the kids eat whatever they want. I always try to suggest a nicer restaurant but they like the opportunity to eat fast food;)

As we were half way to the Galleria, I realized that I left my fully charged, good camera sitting by the front door at home.  So, all I had was my iPhone (which I vowed never to do again after last year!).  I let it go pretty easily though realizing it is not about the photos but the experience and the tradition (that is HUGE progress for me BTW).

While I was fine about it yesterday, I am a little disappointed today.  I must be shaky cause these are all blurry.  Will has promised to go visit Santa with us until he goes to college.  And Harry promised to go until Will stops.  So I am pretty sad to say that next year is likely the last year for our whole family to do this.  I am sure I will take Kate for as long as she'd like to go though.

I always take a couple of photos waiting in line.  We got to see Santa arrive too since we were early.

Harry and Will kept wanting to mess with Kate's bun. 

When Santa greeted Kate, he complimented her "beautiful dimple."

He also asked Harry if I was his sister.  Wish I had that on video.  Santa's quite the charmer!
And he has a Southern accent.







Kate asked Santa for a beam.  She wants a gymnastics beam for our house.  Santa did not respond so she is concerned that he thought she said "beans."  Harry wants a go pro camera and Will said he doesn't need/want anything.








After Santa, we went to the Tesla store.  Harry and Will enjoyed playing around there.  I realized that in exactly a year, Harry could get his driving permit!!!!!  Can you believe that?!










I feel very blessed and full of gratitude this year.  I have everything that matters in life...God, a fabulous husband who decides to love me everyday (even though I am sure it is very hard some days), three kids who are faithful, smart, funny, and kind.  We are surrounded with good and caring friends and family. And we have our health.

I hope you all have a very Happy Thanksgiving!!!