Monster Jam

Well as we all know James is obsessed with Monster Trucks.  We decided a long time ago that we would have to take him to the Monster Jam the next time it came to town.  My friend Michelle takes her son every year so we grabbed our friend Melissa and ventured to see the show with our kids and hubbies.  After a few hiccups such as a lost phone, lost bus, and lost minds (heehee) we arrived just in time to grab some food and get settled into our seats. 

I didn't know what to expect, except what I saw from the hundreds of YouTube videos that James insisted on watching the day before.  I have to say I had a really fun time.  Watching the smiles on the kids faces (not to mention our husbands faces too) made it all worth while.

James definitely needed some coaxing to keep his earplugs on.  We started out with the gun muffs that daddy allowed him to borrow.  When those refused to stay on we tried the bright orange earplugs that expand to fit to your ears.

Lot's of trucks, noise, exhaust... but tremendous fun to watch!  Spike, Brutus, Mohawk, Superman, Avenger, Monster Mutt, and many more...the favorite truck of all was Grave Digger.  Not holding back in the least, this truck flew through the air causing chaos, excitement, and huge applauds before coming to a rest upside down. 

 

We all had a great time together.  It was so nice to hang out with my girlfriends and kids even though it was quite loud and we didn't get to talk much.  But knowing sign language (once again ;) was a blessing! 

The boys didn't sit still the entire time except when the ice cream showed up...no not the ice cream truck, Michelle! Ha!  Poor James was so pooped by the end of the show that when it was time to walk back to the bus stop he sat in the middle of the street in complete refusal to move.

I love this picture of our three Musketeers! Friends to the end... Only one can hope they remain as cute and completely innocent ;)

Rainy Day Fun!

So, what do you do with the kids on a rainy Saturday in Pearland?  Well I decided to take them to the brand new, grand opening of Chuck E. Cheese!  I think half of Pearland families had the same great idea.  I don't know what was better...the clean atmosphere or the huge smiles on my kids faces.  All of which I captured on camera...of course!

This picture is the best of all.  James has been infatuated with Monster trucks for about 6 months now.  He has collected several of the Monster Jam trucks through birthday and Christmas gifts.  When he noticed this ride, he was all over it!  Little does he know that we are taking him to the Monster Jam Truck Show at Reliant Stadium this next weekend.  He is going to be ecstatic!

Our friends from church, the Clark's joined us in the fun.  Sydney and Rachael played the games together while James and Michael were attached at the hip giving Michelle and me some adult time to hang out.  EXCEPT when the real Chuck E Cheese mouse came out to say "Hi!"  James was VERY nervous about the giant mouse and would not let me put him down.  I think I will take Michelle's advice and not take him to Disney World anytime soon...lol!

Christmas Day 2010

 Wait!  Somebody ate Santa's cookies, drank his milk and chewed his reindeer's carrot!

 Favorite gifts of this Christmas morning! 
For Ashlee: A Bernina Sewing machine with all the fixins'!!! Thank you Gma and Papa Hoenerhoff!

 For Sydney:  A beautiful quilt made with love by Gma Hoenerhoff!!!  Thank you Gma!

 For Dad:  His new hunting/fishing hat for the cold weather!  Thank you Dad Hoenerhoff!!!

 And for James: 

 An orange T Rex Dinosaur 4 Wheeler!!!  Thank you Mom, Dad, Gma, Papa, Grandma, Grandpa!!!

 Next we went to the Powell's Christmas.  So many kids this year...11 total with one more on the way!

 We love spending quality time with Mimi, Grandpa and all the Aunt's, Uncle's, cousins, nieces, and nephews!  Never a dull minute and tons of love to go around!

 While the smaller children played with their new toys, Aunt Sandy and Mimi got love and hugs!

 And Grandpa Powell too!!!

 On to the Higgins' for the evening!  And soon we found that Santa came to Grandma's house too! Bringing baseballs, a tee, and a real baseball glove!  Santa was very generous this year bringing lot's of goodies, including gift cards to Starbuck's, pedicures, iTunes, WM, Target, and lot's more between all of us!  We are once again blessed beyond expected. 

 Grandma Higgins has a fashion sense that the girls appreciated this year.  Painters hats were a hit!

 Even Polly got to come in and be a part of the Christmas moment.  She is definitely Grandpa Higgins' baby sitting in his lap all curled up.

 After the chaos died down we were able to enjoy a huge feast, toys, and each others company.  There is nothing like spending time with family!

 And last but not least...the battery is charged, weather is nice, and T Rex is on the go!

 And in case you didn't notice...there is a permanent smile on James' face!!!

Joy, Unspeakable Joy!

 

JOY, UNSPEAKABLE JOY!!!  What better way to celebrate the birth of our Christ Savior than on Christmas Eve with family and friends.  As I listened to the angelic sound of children singing in the choir it reminded me of the pure and sinless life of our Lord Jesus Christ and the joy he placed in our lives.  I praise him as I sit back and think about this past year... of all the blessings He has generously showered our family with.  Thank you Jesus!!!

 During our service, Sydney sang in the children's choir and was absolutely beautiful. 

 She was involved in practices after church for the past few weeks.  She was very nervous to be in front of people but excited to be on stage.  I think she did a fabulous job!

 During the Christmas Eve service, our church tradition is to light candles representing the light of Jesus.  The Pastor lights the first candle representing Jesus and then the Deacons light there's off of the Pastor's.  Then Jesus' light spreads to the rest of the congregation from there.  We sing Holy Night with no music... just the voices of Christians who love Him so.  Joy, Unspeakable Joy!

 The first service was packed!  There wasn't an empty seat in the house.  Ashlee ended up sitting with her friends because we didn't have enough seats for all of us.  Mimi and Grandpa Powell were able to come celebrate with us. 

 As well as Grandma and Grandpa Higgins and Aunt Jamie. 

 After the service we had Smores and Hot Chocolate!  The church provided little fireplaces with all the fixings!  Ashlee hung out with her church besties and Grandma Higgins and Sydney got right down to business...roasting marshmellows. 

 Darrell and his Dad enjoyed conversation and hot chocolate.  They remind me so much of each other in many ways.  Two handsome, loving fella's!

 And my bestie Moe came!!!  She, her husband, and nephew surprised me!  I loved squeezing a Christmas hug out of them!  Joy, Unspeakable Joy!

 Even James was able to celebrate with his friend, Stone.  Running (literally) the lobby and cookie corner.  Two peas in a pod...LOVE it!!!

JOY, UNSPEAKABLE JOY!!!

God Given Talent

 

This year Darrell and I made gifts for our family for Christmas.  Of course my craft included lot's of pictures and mod podge glue!  I made a collage of 2010 wallet sized pictures on a 10X20 canvas. I forgot to take a picture of the pictures...I'm bummed!  LOL!

Darrell dove into his new hobby of woodworking.  He made some beautiful crosses, each one unique in it's own way.  Little by little Darrell is learning and becoming more confident in expressing his creative juices.

 He has set up our garage as a shop and it works well.  He is working on a quilt rack for my mom.  No doubt it will be beautiful when its complete. 

While Dad was busy woodworking the kids and I were involved in a special project of our own.

 Leading up to Christmas Eve Ashlee and I were blessed to be a part of the Kids Crazy Christmas Show at our church.  Sydney and James hung out with the other cast members kids and pretty much made the church their backyard for a few weeks. After many practices throughout Decemcer we put on 15 performances, reaching thousands of children and families with the story of Jesus' birth. 

The cast became great friends after so many weeks together and by the end it was a bitter sweet feeling.  God gave us this wonderful talented cast to bring smiles and light to so many and what an awesome opportunity it was! 

Christmas Cookie Tradition

Tonight was our night to make Christmas cookies.  A Higgins' tradition that for four years now, the girls and I have enjoyed together.  We began with star sugar cookies, then gingerbread men, and finished with Sydney's favorite...peanut butter cookies with the hershey kiss on top. 

Tomorrow night we plan to finish decorating each cookie with colored icing, sprinkles and red hots.  We will make chocolate covered pretzel sticks too.

After everything is finished we plan to divide up the goodies, put them onto Christmas plates and give them to neighbors and teachers for Christmas.  And whatever is left over...the girls plan on taking care of..and James too!

Rest In Peace, Brindley Bear

Our sweet Brindley bear passed away today from a form of Leukemia.  He was a trooper through this past week of pricks and sticks, doctors, and emergency rooms.  We have wonderful memories of our friendly Brindley.  And we thank our heavenly Father for the 6 years of precious time we had with him.  Rest in peace sweet boy.

Ashlee and Brindley Bear

Sweet Brin Brin

He thought this good looking dog was worth a look even though he couldn't hold his head up.