November - December 2025

    November started off with ending volleyball season and starting basketball season. Avery is on the B team and Aubrey is basketball manager. Both girls continue to manage busy after school schedules and great grades and being surrounded by a great circle of friends. We are so thrilled for them both. 

    The highlight was Thanksgiving break where we had a full week off which was half relaxation and half traveling to Fredericksburg to see Brian and Cathy, Aimee and Israel and Tessa, Grammy and Poppy, and all of us. We rented a VRBO that had an indoor pool and ping pong table and rooms for everyone including a small cottage and it was just the most fun and perfect week! 

    December is full of Christmas fun and memories...but first comes projects, tests, and finals! Eighth grade isn't nearly as fun as elementary school! The girls worked very hard all semester, balancing school, sports, extracurricular activities, friends, and still managed to pull off all A's on both report cards and all their finals. They shine like stars in every arena! Now...phew, it is time to celebrate the birth of our King! Christmas break was full of laughter, rest, fun, social outings, and time with family. We had 1:1 dates with each girl which included making truffles, immersive virtual game play, painting canvases, and pedicures. It was a treat for all of us! I was so thankful to be off an entire week for the holiday and soak up all the good memories. Other fun memories include a holiday Cirque show, winter choir concert where Aubrey had a due with her friend Ella (and nailed it), touring neighborhoods with Christmas lights, and church services to worship our King. Of course, we also honored my mom and built gingerbread houses in her memory. Christmas was sweet, special, and joyful. Couldn't have asked for anything more. We ended the year with a visit from Nana and Grandpa and had a great time shopping, playing games, and playing putt-putt golf. 

    2025 was a year that we welcomed Ky'Leigh into our family and a year. It was a year of learning, growth, challenges, and blessings. Before the year came to a close we celebrated her 8th birthday. We know God has a plan for her and her story and we walk in obedience to whatever path He leads us on. 

November 2025: 

December 2025: 

September - October 2025

     September - into the swing of things with all things school related and activities. Our schedules are packed full yet good! We celebrated our 21st anniversary on August 21, 2025, but our special date night out was in early September where we enjoyed a chef's table experience at a new restaurant. It was a great night and we enjoyed celebrating our marriage. We truly are blessed. The same weekend we went to an Astros game and had second row seats! Aubrey was lucky enough to catch a squishy ball from the cheerleaders at half time. Jay and I enjoyed a second date at a sushi restaurant that was a lot of fun, delicious, but most of all just a great time to spend together. We also enjoyed a visit from Aunt Dee Dee and Uncle Mike and made homemade gnocchi during their visit. 

    Avery has been busy with volleyball and cheer and Aubrey has enjoyed being part of student worship. They both work very hard in school and they both earned all A's on their report card! They both have such a great circle of friends and I love that for them. Both girls got their braces off and they have gorgeous smiles! 

    In October we celebrated their birthday by traveling to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Our hope was to see the international balloon festival but unfortunately a tropical storm blew through and both opportunities to see the balloons fly were canceled due to weather. The Sandia Tram was also a bust from the weather and we got rained on for one of our hikes. However, the glass blowing experience, one hike, and the escape room were a hit! The glass blowing experience was a real treat and we all got to create two glass treasures to bring home. We included their best friend Ella on the trip and despite it going different than planned, we all had a great time and enjoyed each other's company. The kids were spoiled with presents from all! Aubrey chose to have her birthday party as a day at the beach and Avery chose to have her birthday at the park playing volleyball and basketball. What a great month of celebrations! 

  We rounded out the end of the month with Halloween! The girls were my little pony with all their friends. We have the best neighborhood to trick or treat in and I'm glad they are still loving all the fun. Lastly, Jay and I went on a special date night at a very fancy restaurant to celebrate the most special person in the world! 

Halloween 2025: 

Celebrating Jay's Birthday!