I'm back.

Hello, there friends and family. Yes, I have been a major slacker this past year on this blog. I started making a blog book with what I had already posted and it consumed my time! And I'm still not done. Since I am getting so behind on my updates and facebook can't decide on a privacy policy.... I am going to start posting most pictures and videos of our doings here. :) We have church at 1 this year so I am hoping I will have some time in the mornings now to update you on what we have been doing around Texas. :) So...be ready for a bit of catching up and then hopefully I can stay on top of it. :) Love, Emily

2012 Family Pictures

I know its the moment you have all been waiting for....we finally got new family pictures! It's only been 2.5 years since the last one. My very talented friend Jenn took them and she did a fantastic job.

 I love my boys!

Us...

Mr Warren...

The Benjamin...

 Did I say I LOVE my boys?!

Sir Oliver....

 "Me and my daddy's cheeks"

 Oliver kept acting Coy after each grin, which if funny because he is anything but shy! 

This boy is pure JOY! 

 Chillin in the box.

 Love. Love. Love.

 Of course the final family shot after EVERYONE is melting down. Classic. 

I am going to be ordering prints soon. Please get your wish list to me within the next week if you want one! Pictures and sizes. :) We love you!

Ribbon Festival

Just before Thanksgiving Warren got the opportunity to perform with other Houston area Suzuki students (in his level) at Ribbon Festival. He has been learning songs with his left hand that he already knew with his right hand, to help improve his technique.

Warren playing "Honey Bee" (left hand) at Suzuki Ribbon Festival

If you are receiving this via email you will need to go to our blog to watch these videos. 

Warren playing "Lightly Row" (left hand) at Suzuki Ribbon Festival

The judges take notes and critique technique and performance as he played. 

Warren is presented with his medal. ;) The judges were pleased with his great tone 

and dropping in while he played. 

He did great! It is fun to see his confidence grow. He was much more so than his first recital!  

Stow-A-Ways...

In November the boys and I decided to tag-a-long on a short business trip with Weston. He goes to court in Corpus Christi often and since I had never seen the "best beaches" this side of Texas, we decided to check it out. We had a fun little weekend. We hung out in the hotel and had so much fun relaxing on the beach. The boys ran races, found seashells, jelly-fish, a dead eel, a bunch of dead fish that looked like pirana (we google searched and found they are some time of snapper referred to as "pirana of the gulf") and lots of abandoned logs from beach fires. We also went on a long walk down the beach. The beaches and water were prettier than Galveston and the weather was perfect! We even saw several dolphins on the ferry ride on the way back home. We had such a fun time. We are excited to plan a longer trip there this year. Here are some pics for your enjoyment! 

Ya Ya and Aunt Lacey visit...

 Weston's mom and sister came to visit us the second week of October for about 4.5 days. It's always nice to have visitors and we were happy that Lacey finally decided to come visit us for the first time since we moved from Utah almost 9 years ago! We know she really came for Misty but its ok, we still love her anyway. ;) 

 She brought along her little girl Astoria. It was our first time meeting her and she sure is a sweetheart. It was fun for me to see little girl things spread about the house while they were here. We were so happy to get to spend time with them all. As you can see we took them to our favorite place - The Beach!

 "spear fishing"

Sand Castles

 The weather was perfect. 

I was still recovering from surgery so I just relaxed with Oliver all day. 

It was a really nice break for us all.

This was Oliver's first time at the beach. He loved it. 

Getting to know Ya Ya.

Can you tell Astoria know's exactly what a camera is? She's a diva alright!

She was so cute in her little ruffle suit and sun hat. :) 

The last day they were here I talked Lacey into going on a walk with me. Jan & Weston went on a gas station run for drinks. Weston was dying from thirst and claimed he could not walk without a Diet Dr Pepper. They came and found us and offered us treats and beverages. Jan got out and walked with us from there and Weston joined us by driving along side us at 2 mph. 

Yes, Jan was mooning the camera but lacked the courage to drop her drawers in day light. The next day we took them to see the Houston Temple but we had to bribe Jan with candy bars to keep her lady like manners in check. ;) Thanks for coming out Jan & Lacey! We sure enjoyed your visit!