Christmas Fun

Christmas was wonderful this year. We spent it in typical Henderson fashion. We started Christmas Eve with a trip to the Daws' for a party. Lane and I didn't get much visiting in since we were chasing Lena Kate EVERYWHERE. She would NOT sit still for a second. I was exhausted after about 30 minutes. After the party we headed to Granny's for our annual Christmas Eve gift exchange with Mom's side of the family. We had so much fun and a special visitor this year....Santa! Lena Kate was not too excited about him until he broke out the lollipops, aka candy canes. Everybody got lots of fun presents and made great new memories. We woke up Christmas morning and Lena Kate got to see what Santa brought her. She was funny about going to see her pile and stocking. She laid on the floor and pouted. She wasn't' sure what she wanted to do. I guess she'd had too much fun the night before. Once she saw that more toys were involved she perked up pretty quickly. Then we headed over to Mimi and Papa's for a nice lunch and even more gifts. I think we are all spoiled! It was a great way to celebrate Jesus' birthday.

Isn't he handsome?...and the little girl, just adorable?

Mmmmm, lollipop!

This is as close as she wanted to get to Santa! Cousin Charles was all about telling Santa he wanted ALL of the Transformers.

No thanks..I'm outta here.

Santa even got a hug!

Lollipops make everything better!

Granny and 2 of her greats!

No, I don't wanna see what Santa got me.

Getting these 2 to smile for a pic in Papa's new wheelbarrow was tough!

Cool, a weed eater to help Daddy. I'm not sure who likes it more LK or Daddy.

After all that fun, we spent some time relaxing and watching a little Nick Jr.

I hope your Christmas was as merry and blessed as ours!

Happy New Year to each of you, may it bring many wonderful memories and blessings.

Lena Kate is 2!

This little monkey had a birthday on Sunday. We celebrated with a fun family party on Saturday.

We had such a great time at Lena Kate's party and I was able to get everything I wanted done. Thanks be to God for the few days of relief from baby sickness. I'm hoping that it really will be a 12 week thing this time around. We had pimiento cheese, olive cream cheese spread, jalepeno cilantro ranch with chips and veggies as well as tasty meatballs. If you want some great appetizer meatballs just mix equal parts ketchup and apple jelly and cook in a crockpot with meatballs. I got a big bag at Sam's. These are soooooo good and easy. I'd never guess the sauce was so easy and good. DO TRY! I also made some fun marshmallow cupcakes on a stick (stawberry marshmallows dipped in chocolate and topped with a Strawberry Whopper.) and Mom had pretty pink iced sugar cookies. There was no shortage of snacks and I topped it off with homemade strawberry lemonade. Let me know if you want that recipe. It has Club Soda in it so it is a nice sparkly beverage

Lena Kate had a great time opening her presents and loves everything she got-a bean bag chair, kitchen accesories and play food, a toy blender, a doll house, fun cars, a strawberry shortcake doll, bath toys just to name a few. We got her a Step 2 Kitchen which she loves

I think there was more spit than air...oh well, sweet spit it is.

I didn't get a good picture of all the decorating I did. I decorated the dining room. It was a Strawberry Shortcake party and I think it turned out rather cute. Mom made and iced the cake for me and then I decorated it with the Strawberry Shortcake picture. I think it turned our pretty cute for a free-hand "drawing"

Insert finger in cake-this was her favorite part.

Oh, there were presents. They are now scattered throughout the house several times a day..but she sure loves them.

Mommy and the birthday girl

Thanks everybody, I love my presents and had a great time opening them..well except for the clothes. Those in attendance saw her toss those aside with disregard rather quickly in search of more toys! Mommy likes the clothes though :)

Charles and J.C.-Lena Kate's best buddies

Leelee and Paw brought this cool new slide. It was a hit and Lena Kate loves it. J.C. found new ways to go down.

I love my sweet 2 yr old with all my heart. She is such a joy and blessing to us all and we look forward to what the new year has in store for her. I could go on and on about all the things I love about her, but will hold off....for now.

Thanksgiving and a wedding...alot late

We had a great Thanksgiving week in San Angelo with Lane's family. We started out with Thanksgiving at Lena Kate's Great Kelley's. There was yummy food and fun fellowship had by all. Lena Kate was in and out-even in the cold! Then on Saturday Lane's cousin David got married. It was a beautiful wedding and I love a chance to see Lane in a tux! Of course, I don't have a picture. I know, shame on me. BUT, I do have a funny video of him doing the Hokey Pokey with the guys. I must admit he'd had a few cocktails at that point. Lane is NOT one to get on the dance floor and break it down. Here are a few pictures from our fun week.
LK dragging Uncle Trent around

Sweet Brother/Sister dance...with Lena Kate and Cousin Corley too

The cute dancers! Poor Corley wanted to dance with all the girls and the girls only wanted to dance with other girls....Lena Kate was sweet enough to give him a few runs around the floor.

Oh, there were a few fits along the way. This preggo Mama was TIRED at this point.

A cupcake makes it all better...until she wants another.

There was Grandpa's cake too!

Movie time in her favorite spot-Rita and Ellie's doggie bed!

Hanging out in Great Kelley's antique high-chair on Thanksgiving Day

Big doggie Sammie Jo is always a hit. If you have a dog this is how Lena Kate knows you. I mention your name and she says, "Big Doggie" or "Doggies!" in Trent and Nancy's case since they are small chihuahuas.

Aunt Nancy, Uncle Trent, Ellie, and Rita

The Chip Cole's. Yes, that is Bevo on their wall.

Yes, we did get a family photo..not the best, but I'll take it.

And for those of you that know Lane, you should get a giggle out of this. He's the one in the grey tux in the middle. They made up their own little touch to the "that's what it's all about" part. Of course, you have to have a "good game" too. Oops it is sidesways!..oh well.

Awww Cute, Cute

Awww, Cute, Cute!

This is the reaction I got from Lena Kate the other morning when I told her Mommy had a baby in her tummy. Yup, for those of you that are not Facebookers. Lena Kate is going to be a big sister June 2011 :)

My big girl

I promise to do a recap of Thanksgiving before Christmas! We had a great week with family and I have some fun pics too. I just took a bloggy break but hope to get back into posting at least weekly!