Merry Christmas from the Risingers!

Beautiful card designed by JillBee Designs. Thank you sweet Jill!

John and his friend Shepard

Precious boys

We are blessed to live by the Knox's - who provide us with plenty of laughs, a lot of great fellowship and have three boys that our kids love to play with. Over the last few months, John has really fostered a special friendship with their oldest son, Shepard. From the moment John wakes up he begs to go over and see his friend Shep and play with him. Thankfully I have a close enough friendship with Erika that I am comfortable letting him run over there several times a day knowing that she will shoo him away when it is not a good time.

Micah, Shep, John and Matt went out to Bertram to go deer hunting one Fall day

Thankful 2014

Will and Alivia both made turkeys with feathers that expressed what they were most thankful for. I thought they were so cute so I thought I would share them. Thanksgiving for me was a blur since I was struck with the flu while Matt and I were with Mimi and Grandpa at the TCU/UT game. Right after halftime I just suddenly felt terrible. . . by the time I got to the car I had terrible rigors and chills. That set the start of a horrible 10-day illness that literally left me bedridden. I am just now getting back into the full swing of life again. . . I am so thankful for my amazing husband who took over the job of Mommy and Daddy while I was so sick.

Alivia's turkey - my family, God, pets, my friends, nature and Jesus

Will's turkey - God, living, holidays, toys, Tanner and Jesus

Aunt Emily and Matthew looking especially cute on Thanksgiving

We all gathered at Mimi and Grandpa's for an amazing spread of food

John had a cute Thanksgiving production at his school earlier that week 

Incredible box seats for the UT/TCU game - it was such a beautiful evening - I am so sad we had to leave early!

Before the flu hit. . . 

Christmas Card Pictures

This year my dear friend, Jill Baumhover, was not available to do our Christmas card pictures. She has moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan! So we used my good friend, Erika Knox. It was so strange to not have Jill do the shots, but I got her to agree to design our Christmas card even though she did not take the pictures. I love getting good shots of our family and the kids every year. Erika even came over and helped coordinate our outfits. I think they turned out great. Thanks Erika!