Family Pictures 2013

When we grabbed Dad and my camera and headed out to his backyard to try to get a picture for our Christmas card this year, I think he got several good shots!

 I love our little family!

Merry Christmas!!

Sn-Ice Day!

Well, it's not super common that the whole city of Dallas shuts down for a weekend because of the sn-ice that has taken over the roads! 

Belton has certainly been feeling a little cooped up (along with the rest of us) this weekend.

 But he had a blast when Daddy took him for a ride on the icy hill in the laundry basket!

 Matt was working very hard to get up that hill- it was slippery!!

 I love this shot of Belton clapping!

 I'm just amazed that he kept those mittens on for the ten minutes we were outside. He usually takes them off as soon as I put them on him!

Dad's Retired!!

My whole life, I can remember my dad talking about when he got to retire. He has always looked forward to this day!!

Here he is in front of Raytheon, the building where he has worked for the last 32 years!

This restaurant was called Big Al's 32 years ago and Dad's coworker took him to lunch there on his first day of work. Mom, Belton and I joined him here for lunch on his official last day, December 6, 2013.

Happy Retirement, Padre!! :-)

Thanksgiving 2013

 Happy Thanksgiving! 

 This year we were with the Hervey's for Thanksgiving. It was at my parents house and a few of our family members came up from Houston for it. We had a wonderful, beautiful meal!

 And great fun and conversation with family.

 Ashley, Laura, Belton

 Matt, Debbie, Jack, Grandmom

 Marcus, Gennifer, Marshall, Lillian

 Mom, Taylor and Peter

He's a sweet little turkey!

 Taylor and Marcus had a blast playing in the leaves!

 Ashley enjoyed some snuggle time with Lillian.

 And Belton LOVED getting some attention from the big boys!!!

 Now he thinks he is big too! Yikes!!!

He's becoming a little climber who is SO PROUD when he gets on top of things, and in and out of these little chairs.

 And Mama is getting a little nervous that he's developing these new skills!

 Belton has always loved Uncle Jack and they had a great time together on Thanksgiving this year!

We enjoyed a wonderful day full of family and food. We are so grateful for our many, countless blessings. When we got home, we wrote on this paper some of the things we are thankful for right now. (The all caps writing is "Belton")

We are so blessed!!!

Dayton Bond Cooper

We left Centerville and went straight to College Station so that we could meet this sweet little guy! Julia had Dayton on November 22 and I was anxious to meet him in person!!

 He's awake!

Of course, as soon as people started taking pictures of Dayton, Belton started looking at the camera and flashing some smiles! 

Yes, we still think you're cute even though we're looking at the new baby! :)

 Dayton and Aunt Laura

 

 Dayton and Uncle Matt

 Grandmom and Aunt Jennifer with the other babies! It was a full room! :-)

 Marcus got to go on a tour of the OR with Uncle Jordan and got this bubble gum mask.

 Lillian and Aunt Laura

 Sweet Dayton!

We slept at a hotel that night, for the first time with Belton. Luckily, we had the iPad, some cookies from the lobby, drinks from the vending machine and lots of pillows and blankets to keep us entertained and comfy as we waited on the floor of the bathroom for Belton to fall asleep before we sneaked into bed!

Sweet Belton on the way home from College Station. Love that hat!