HAPPY 2010!!

Hello Blog Friends!! Happy 2010! I love the way that sounds 20-10. I hate to say it but my mojo for blogging has disappeared. I have not been motivated in the last month or so to stop and write. Horrible, I know. My sweet hub got me a beautiful new sparkly white iPhone for Christmas, but because of the wonderful piece of technology that it is, I very rarely come sit at our computer anymore. My plan was to get caught up on my blogging early in the week, but on Sunday I decided that this would be the week to potty train little miss. Let's say we are IN IT...In it to WIN IT. I am hopeful for that bright light at the end of this tunnel...let's just say sweet Harp hasn't mastered the #2, and mama is growing weary. I won't give up, I won't give up, I won't give up.

So catch up time...We had a wonderful Christmas. Matt took 2 weeks off of work. Which that alone is such a precious gift. We had a total of 17 days of no work, or rather I liked calling it 17 Fridays. Our break did not go as we originally planned for, but hey, we are 'roll-with-the-punches' kind of people. Out of the 17 days he had off, we spent 1 and 1/2 alone as a family. It was fun but oh so exhausting. We spent the first few days in Tyler with my family. We had a wonderful time being home. We spent the first 1/2 celebrating Christmas with my mom and John and the 2nd half with my dad and Shelley. Both stops were equally wonderful and we were spoiled with great gifts and delicious meals. One highlight was that my Dad and Shelley had just completed building their lake house and it was our first time to see it. It was beautiful and so homey. We loved it and look forward to many fun memories out on that lake!!

Suepa and Harp

Superman!!

Harper and Daddy fishing on Daddy Pop's dock. That's a framer!!

Harper loved fishing!

Daddy Pop's and Huddy

Harper and the minnow. Every time she saw the minnow on the end of the

hook, Harper would yell, "look I caught a fishie!!"

When you get these 2 boys together you had better watch out!!

Unk and Hud

My sibbies with Hudson and Harper

Nana and Harp. Such a sweet little bond they have.

This was Hud's favorite spot at Grammy and Daddy Pop's house. It is their covered porch (and was FREEZING), but he loved sitting out there while he waited on his breakfast. Come Spring/Summer, I think it'll be our favorite spot too!

We made it home on Wednesday just in time to throw our clothes in the washer, run the vacuum, and unpack our bags because Matt's fam was coming that night. We had a great time with all the Mullins crew being here. We went out to eat, played games, saw movies, shopped La Cantera, and had a great Christmas together. This was our very first Christmas at home since Matt and I have been married. It was so special to be home with the kids and letting Santa come visit us in our own home. I grew up where Santa always came to our house and those memories are so dear to me, and that is exactly what I want for my kids.

A sweet moment with Papa and the kids.

Christmas Eve was really special. Matt and I took the kids (and lala) to church for our Christmas Eve service. This was the very first time that both he and I had ever been to a Christmas Eve service. It was so moving and so beautiful. I can even go so far to say it was a life changing moment in my life. So often the true meaning behind Christmas is overshadowed by the hustle and bustle of Santa, toys, and me me me. It was so wonderful to stop in the midst of it all and remember Jesus. After church we met Matt's parents at Maggiano's for an early dinner. It was so yummy and fun. Matt and I left to take the kids to get hot chocolate at Starbucks and rush home to bake cookies for Santa. It was fun all of us being in there making cookies. The kids got adorable aprons and chef hats from mini and papa. They were so so cute! After we got everything set out perfectly for Santa, Matt and I went up stairs to put the kids down. We read to the kids about Jesus' birth and talked more about why we celebrate Christmas. It was a precious moment.

Making Christmas cookies while drinking our Starbucks.

Too cute for WORDS!
Baker Hud

We dog sat for friends over the break and the kids fell in LOVE with fee fi!

We are all ready for Santa!!

The view from up stairs.

We had so much fun getting everything set out for Christmas morning. I become so giddy with excitement that I can hardly stand it. The kids got just what they wanted from Santa. Hudson got Dragon World and Harper got her Big BIG Barbie house filled with Calico Critter families. They were so precious Christmas morning and were so so excited. I love their little ages right now. So full of joy and innocence. I would freeze time, I'm telling ya!!

First reaction

Running!!!

The Incredible Hulk

Harper and her BIG Barbie House!!

Harper and Daddy playing so sweetly.

He was loving life!

Sweet Ace was right in the middle of it all.

Melissa and Lauren got canvases made from us. They were a hit!

Matt's family left late on Saturday and we had just a moment to take a breath before my cousin Shelley, her 3 kids, and my grandmother came on Sunday morning. We had a great visit with them. The kids played and played. Matt kept the kids for an afternoon while we snuck away to La Cantera for a couple of hours. Shelley, Matt, and I went out for a late dinner after we got the kids to bed on Monday. And sweet Matt took the big kids to see a movie one afternoon. All in all it was a great visit. They packed up and left on Wednesday afternoon just in time for us to get ready for our Thursday night NEW YEARS EVE PARTY!

Matt with Arden and Harper all ready for bed.

How many kids can you fit in a tub??? They sure had fun!

This was a definite highlight of the week. Our life group is the funnest group our people you could ever be around. We love them so much and always have a blast when we are all together. The kids did amazing too. We gave our kids late naps that day and then around 11 we had them all lay down up stairs and watch a movie. The girls played games down stairs and the men played poker. The craziest part about it was that everyone stayed past 1 AM. To me that says it was a happinin' New Years Party! :)

Harper and Karli

They had a blast with the sparklers

11:00....they were so good and quiet!!

The crazy guys hanging out outside while FREEZING!!!

Friday (New Years Day) we got our house back in order because our friends for Lubbock were coming. The Texas Tech game was here in SA for the Alamo bowl and they were coming in town for that. Vince and Jaclyn came that evening and we had a great time catching up with them. I treasure their friendship and love any chance we can get to see them. They are just the kind of people that you leave wanting to live bolder, bigger, and better. They stayed thru Sunday, and we CRASHED after they left Sunday afternoon. I have never been so exhausted in my life. We were going, going, going and hardly came up for air once. Like I said before, it was not how we had planned our break, but in the end we were blessed by all of our guests and thankful that everyone came to see us. The rude awakening was Monday morning when we were back to the real world.

I am excited about 2010. A new year, a new decade. I begin a new decade this year as I turn the big 30! Hud and Harp will turn 5 and 3, and we'll be married 7 years in July. I am so thankful for all of my blessings and so excited to see what this year holds.

Knight Hudson

Cowgirl Harper

Happy 2010 friends!!!