One last Christmas...

The whole family goes to Grandma Gail's every year for one last Christmas celebration. This is Kloe playing 'cash register' with Kole, Austin and Bryan. As we were opening gifts, the tornado sirens started going off. You can see the doppler on the TV in the background. What weird Christmas weather!!

Merry Christmas!!

Christmas morning! Austin was not feeling so well, so if he doesn't look too excited--that's why. He got (pretty much) everything he wanted (He did not get his 4-wheeler... Santa had to stop somewhere!) We went to Bryan's mom and dad's after we opened gifts up at home. We were all spoiled there!

Christmas Eve

We always go to Aunt Bev's house on Christmas. After we open the gifts, we always play games or in Juston's case--torment Austin.

Cookie baking tradition

It has been a tradition in Bryan's family since he was little to spend a day baking Christmas cookies. The whole family gets together (including the extended family from down the road--Greg and Mariah have been adopted whether they wanted to be or not!), and bakes cookies, makes candy, and spends the day just hanging out. Everyone looks forward to it every year! As you can see, it's Bryan's job to roll out the dough. He also gets in on the decorating, though, because the rule is: if you don't help decorate, you don't get to help eat! Austin (who used to jump in front of a camera every time someone pulled one out) has gotten a little camera shy lately, and chosen to be more behind the lens instead of in front... He thought we needed a picture of the table as it was starting to fill up with decorated cookies.

Coaching debut

Bryan's been assistant freshman and JV coach for the past couple of years, but this year he's head freshman (and will still assist with the JV and varsity). Saturday was their first game. They have a very busy season scheduled so it looks like I'm going to be a bit of a basketball widow the next few months.

Deck the halls

So, we spent the day decorating the house for Christmas yesterday. Putting the ornaments on the tree is traditionally Austin's job, I usually put up the stockings and anything else that's set out (and then help Austin with the ornaments when he's starts getting tired--or loosing interest), and typically... Bryan's job is just bringing the stuff up out of the basement, and setting up the trees. But, this year he took his contribution one step further by putting some lights around the banister, and sitting out a lighted "Merry Christmas" sign in the yard. Guess we're all getting in the Christmas spirit! Now we just have to get the shopping done!!

First game of the season

Austin's first game of the season was Saturday, November 15 against Shelbyville at home. Austin had several assists and a steal. They didn't win, and even though they were disappointed the coach told them not to feel too bad about it because Shelbyville had already played 5 games in their season and only lost 1. Better luck next time!
(In case you can't tell, Austin's seated second from the left. He's second string point guard this year.)

Austin in action

Cheer, cheer, cheer!

Austin's first game of the season was also my first game as cheerleading coach. The girls did a great job in spite of their nerves.

Keep in touch

Everyone is always so busy these days it's hard to stay in touch with everyone, but most of us spend at least a little bit of time in front of a computer. So... I've started a blog designed to keep in with all my friends and family.