Three Decades

Everyone who knows me, knows that I am not a big fan of my birthday. It is not because I am another year older but because it falls between Christmas and New Years. All my life, my birthday has been forgotten and most people are out of town or have family visiting. December 28 has never been a conducive date for a birthday party. So when my 30th birthday came around, I had no idea what my husband had in store for me. I can put it simply, I have never been surprised in my life and boy TJ did a good job.
As usual half of my family was out of town on my birthday, and so TJ led me to believe that just the two of us were going to dinner. My parents were going to stay home and watch Carys while we went out.

The plan was for us to go ice skating in Discovery Green and then eat dinner at one of my favorite Italian restaurants, Birraporetti's, in downtown Houston.

When we arrived at dinner, my two best friends, Adina and Martha, were there, TJ's sister Kim, who was super busy taking care of TJ's errands was there and then Carys arrived with my parents shortly after.

What a wonderful surprise to have everyone close to me join us for dinner. TJ also ordered a beautiful cake for me, that was a true family effort. Kim had to go back three times to the bakery to get it and my parents paid for the fondant cake. It was my favorite, lemon.

I loved the mathematics behind it, and Carys loved the candles.

Adina my best friend that I have known since elementary school.

Martha, my best friend from work.

Martha and Kim enjoying the celebration.

The hat and scarf that Adina knitted for me!

What was so funny was TJ was doing the best job of throwing me off. He had already told me his family was going to be out of town and that Adina and Martha had other things going on. I just figured, oh it is a typical birthday, everyone has something else to do. He did an awesome job, I have never been surprised and I can say, I had no clue what he had really planned.
I love you, TJ.

Baby's First Christmas 2.0

At nearly eleven months old, Carys celebrated her first Christmas in Harborwalk with her Steller Grandparents.
We arrived back from Colorado the night before and were very excited to see the puppies when we arrived Christmas morning.

Look at all those presents, Carys is ready to dive in.

One of the first toys she was able to rip into was an Ernie from the O'Keefe family. How fitting as Allison has an immeasurable collection of Ernies.

Mommy got a Tiffany blue box with a gorgeous silver butterfly necklace from Daddy.

Carys and Mommy got a running stroller so Mom can hit the trails again.

Her very own stocking, specially ordered as the blue matches Carys's eyes.

Carys loves her new blocks from Grandma.

But she really likes helping Grandpa.

Here, let me help you open your presents Grandpa!

Here are Macy and Maya's gifts, I like these too!

A cute shirt from Uncle James. If he only knew how much I plan to outfish him!

Here is my really neat pull along snail from Aunt Holley, Uncle James and Grant.

Clowning, I mean Santaing around with Grandpa before dinner.

Look at my new chair from Mommy and Daddy, it is just my size!

I got a new walking toy from Grandma Cathy, look at me go!

My musical clock.

Here is my new stroller from Aunt Jackie, Uncle Rad and Charlotte, I love walking my dollies all over the house!

But check this out, my new steering wheel.

Colorado Ski Trip

Carving down a tree lined, freshly groomed ski trail has turned into one of our favorite hobbies and with a year and half hiatus from the slopes, TJ and I were more than ready to travel to the beautiful mountains of Colorado. It would be the first time for Carys to see snow.
She really enjoyed the snow, and had rosy cheeks the entire time.

Tom, Sharla, Scott and Jared met us in the mountains, and we all enjoyed skiing during the day and playing with Carys at night.

One thing is for sure, Carys was never cold with all of her layers. Her layers also constrained her that she could not really move in the snow.

She was able to make her first petite snow angel.

We could see it from our hotel room all night.

Mommy/daughter matching Uggs and faux fur.

But the most fun Carys had was sledding with her Daddy.

"All I want for Christmas are my Two Front Teeth!"

The end of November, early December marked the beginning of the Christmas season. Pictures to take, parties to attend and shopping to be completed. When the season began Carys had her two bottom teeth.

So it was very fitting for her to wish for her two front teeth to come in for Christmas.
So we took Carys to the Santa at Baybrook mall. Carys smiled pretty for the camera and with their matching outfits, asked Santa for her "two front teeth".

Well soon after her upper left tooth came in. Our little snaggle tooth.

So when she saw Santa at Harborwalk's tree trimming party she asked for her other tooth...and within a day it broke through. Funny, there must be a recession going on that Santa is fulfilling 50% of his children's wishes.

Here she is waiting for Santa's big arrival.

Santa came in on a boat, how fitting with Harborwalk.

TJ and Carys waiting for Santa.

Story time with Santa.

Carys likes the bag better than the gifts inside.

With 10 months, Carys definitely knows who mommy is. She can be clingy sometimes and also gets very excited when I pick her up from daycare. She crawls as fast as she can to me when I enter the room. She is very close to walking, she will be taking those first steps any day now.