Christmas Break Highlights

This Christmas break was wonderful. The weather has been beautiful most of the time. And we did not travel anywhere so it was really relaxing. We hung around the house a lot which was great. 

Matt chopping wood in the backyard

Crazy neighborhood boys having fun

Guess who was Santa and the Elves and the Risinger and Co. Christmas party?

Alivia and Will (I mean Santa's Elves) helped pass out gifts to all the kids there

Avery was in the Nutcracker - her second year!

Matthew was a shephard in his preschool play

Brunch at Austin Country Club 

Joey Puterbaugh got a puppy named River and came over to introduce us to him

Cookie decorating at Mimi's house

Gumbo at the Kendall's house on Christmas Eve

Gag gift given out to all the kids - fake teeth!

One of Matthew's favorite gifts - a karaoke machine!

Total hit of Christmas - electric dirt bikes!

I could hardly make Will stand still enough to take this shot!

Walking around Town Lake on a beautiful day before school re-started

Visiting the Capitol!

We found Great Uncle James Taylor's pic in the basement, He served three terms as a State Senator for Texas. Very cool.

Other Carrizo Highlights

Matt took the kids (by himself!) to Carrizo one weekend. The time alone at the house was wonderful and lonely all at the same time. Here are some shots from the weekend.

My beautiful cowgirl

Will shot a turkey! Very exciting for everyone

On your 9th birthday.

Will you are a leader who likes to be heard and direct others. You have professed your faith and I know that God will call you to do great things with your job and family. I can't wait to see! We often struggle in homeschool with diligence and handwriting, but you have grown so much over these past years and this year homeschooling you has been such a joy (most of the time). You got braces this year. You have shot several deer and love hunting with Grandpa. You would spend every weekend hunting if we let you. You have no interest in sports because it may conflict with hunting. I can see you becoming an avid hunter in the future with great interest in conservation and safe hunting practices. I hope you broaden your love of hunting to include other game as well besides deer. You have a wonderful sense of humor and once you start laughing, it is hard to get you to stop. You love your brother John so much. And Matthew is becoming more of a friend as well as he gets older. I am beyond thrilled to watch your friendship grow with them.

I love you so very much son. I am proud to be your Mom!

Will's Deer!

Will has shot three deer this year! He has become quite a hunter. He loves it so much.

First deer in Bertram

Second deer in Carrizo with Grandpa - Will did not want a party - he wanted to go hunting with Grandpa in Carrizo instead

Another shot of the beautiful second deer

Last deer of the season - a BEAUTY. Scored 156. We all think it is the largest that has been shot in Carrizo. Might win the contest at Los Cazadores. Will was beyond thrilled.

Trip to Fort Worth

Just before Thanksgiving, we made a trip to FW to see my wonderful TCU girls with our families. We had so much fun. The first night we met at Joe T Garcia's for Tex Mex. Then headed to a TCU game the following day. Instead of going to the game we opted to go see Grandmother and have lunch with her which I loved. I am so glad we did that. Then the girls met back up to tour the Chi Omega house (which is getting torn down soon for something bigger and better). And then we all went out to eat in downtown Fort Worth that night. It was so fun to see everyone!

Touring the TCU campus. Too bad it costs $50K to go there!

My girls. Love them so much

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Visit with Grandmother at Trinity Terrace

Lunch with Grandmother

Back with the girls at our old hangout - the Chi Omega house! We visited our old rooms and laughed our heads off

We've still got it! :-)

Second Annual Amazing Race

This is such a fun event that our church puts on every year. We paired up with Christy and Luke Schooler for a fast paced fun race through Northwest Austin. What a fun time! Next year Johnny-Cakes will come along too! 

CG Arena

Running with a football and sumo wrestling suit

Racing cars along a track

Finish line! We were sixth out of about 50 teams

Before the race started!

Christmas Card Pics

We met Erika on the UT campus right by the large Littlefield fountain. But then most of the shots were right around the Life Science Library. Such a neat location. Lots of interesting architecture there. On the way there is was pouring. I am so glad we were able to get these shots in before the rain started again.

Erika working her magic on a rainy day in November - a good picture of our family and each child every year is a priority for me. So glad Erika does this every year for our family.

PRECIOUS children

Gold! This is the one that we used for our card

Love

Love - he got braces!

Beautiful

Love

Didn't like this one as much - sort of awkward

My hair was looking less than perfect here - it had started to rain pretty hard at this point

Love these kiddos

My BOYS!