Christmas Time In Texas

2014 was our year to have family here for Christmas day.  On alternate years the kids go to the other in-laws for Christmas and come here for New Year's day.   Jeremy, Annie, Jane and Jack arrived first from Denver.  With a new baby, Jordan, Ashley, Leighton and little Remington waited until later on Christmas day so they could have Christmas at their house that morning.   Of course, Jennifer, Toby, Taylor and Presley were able to come over any time.

Jeremy and Annie decided to let their children open a couple of early gifts and insisted that Beverly and I open a gift from them, too.  When we opened it our first thought was "why would you think we would need a new hooded baby towel?"  Jeremy then told us that we can bring it to Denver in August and you can use it then.  That's right......we are going to be grand parents to another grand baby in August, 2015!  Number 7 is on the way!!

By a little after noon, everyone was here and the fun began.  The wrapping paper was flying and the kids had a good time opening their gifts and going through their stockings.  Of course, eating was also a big part of the day as well as some board games.  The only down side was that with our ever growing family, this house is getting too small but we made it fine.

Jennifer and Toby hosted all of us for a couple of delicious meals and with some mild weather the kids had a big silly string fight out on their big back porch followed with yummy s'mores that were made in the outside fireplace.  Lots of cousin time for the kids.

The next day Jeremy, Toby, Jordan and Danny had a little clay pigeon shooting contest.  To say that we were a little rusty would be an understatement but it was all fun and we are planning another one next Christmas.  Bev said we might include the girls next time.  They would probably just show us up!

Looks like another lean year.  We are so blessed.

Old time bubble lights on Nana and Grandad's little tree by the wood stove.

A cute way to announce the next grand child.  Number 7 due in August!

Look what Bebe got for Christmas!

 Cousins modeling new PJ's from Jordan and Ashley.

Jane's pretty fond of Taylor.  Looks like she's thinking......

why am I not over there with you?

 Excitement is building for the silly string fight!!  Guess who put it in their stockings?

That would be Uncle Jordan!

S'more time!

 Fun times on the back porch area at Toby and Jennifer's new home.

 Studying the New York City maps in anticipation of Jeremy and Annie's trip.

Bed time!  Remington loves his Daddy!

 Leighton and Jane working hard on a puzzle.

 But for Jack, he prefers cereal!

 Jeremy's first attempt with water colors.  

This is really the only family group picture we took.

 Let the contest begin.  

 Taylor actually hit his first clay.  A little too much gun for his size, however!

 No.  She didn't shoot and yes, the gun isn't loaded!

The eventual winner showing great form.  However a close examination

of the picture reveals an intact target!

Cowboy Christmas At Bass Hall

Last year our friends Shirley and Bubba introduced us to Michael Martin Murphy's Cowboy Christmas at Bass Hall in Ft. Worth.  We enjoyed it so much that we decided to do it again.  However, they'd already made plans to see him at the Cowboy Christmas Ball in Anson in December, so we headed out on our own.
We began the evening by walking over to Sundance Square.  The Christmas tree was beautiful again this year and the Marines were there collecting  for the Toys for Tots program .  We enjoyed a delicious meal at Razzoo's and then walked back over to Bass Hall to get ready for the concert.

Michael Martin Murphy has had a lot of big hits but in his later years he had concentrated on his western heritage and regularly performs at Red River, New Mexico as well as all over the United States.  He features his cowboy poetry as well as American cowboy music.  He is a leading promoter of the western life style.

However, during December he schedules a number of Christmas programs including this one at Bass Hall and the big one in Anson, Texas.  It's a great performance and he said he changes up about a third of the program each year and also sings some of his big hits such as Wildfire.  If you get a chance to see him, it's well worth the time and money.

 Bev's plate.........

Dan's plate!

 We don't do selfies but here's our attempt!  Just goofing around!

Cowboy topiary.  Pretty appropriate for Cowtown!

 

Getting the heck out of Dodge!

Thanksgiving In The Mile High City

It was a bit unusual for us, but this past year we spent Thanksgiving in Denver with Jeremy and family. Jeremy doesn't get to come home for Thanksgiving since it's really close to Christmas, so it was nice to be with them.  It was a short three day trip but we got to celebrate Jane's birthday, go on a tour of Hammond's Candy Factory and spend some time eating good food, playing with Jane and Jack and learning the game called Ticket To Ride.

Jane's birthday was actually November 8 but with Ashley's baby shower and Remington's arrival we had to delay our trip a few days.  We celebrated with a cupcake birthday from Gigi's Cupcakes in Littleton. Everyone picked out their favorite but there was a little sharing and sampling going on during the party.

The next day we took a tour of Hammond's Candies, an old time candy factory that we had seen on TV.  On the way there we got caught in some traffic delays and then Jeremy announced that he had forgotten to buy gas that morning!  Yikes!  But, thank goodness we were able to get off of I-25 before we had to push.  The tour was fun and informative, but being the day after Thanksgiving, crowded!

We always enjoy going to Littleton and to Aspen Grove to do a little Christmas shopping.  There was a group of carolers there so we stopped  and listened to them for a while.  On Sunday we visited at Littleton Bible Chapel and we always enjoy our time there.  We also had a little Ticket To Ride tournament where the object is to beat Annie!  If you've not tried this board game, you should.  It's fun, entertaining and challenging.

On our trip home, we ran into a little ice near Colorado Springs but made it home safely, determined to get ready for Christmas.

 Time to get the party going!  Happy 4th, Jane!

Jeremy always wants to get a run in; probably just a short 10-15 miles!

Jeremy's mask that he made for Halloween!  Pretty realistic.  

Hey there Little Red Riding Hood.  You sure are looking good!

 Ready for the tour.  The best part was the free sample at the end!

 Hot chocolate time!  Truthfully, we had just returned from shopping

at Cherry Creek Mall !

PJ models.  Couldn't resist these llama themed ones for Annie!

Jeremy giving Mom some pointers for winning Ticket to Ride!

Icy road conditions coming home but no big delays.

Remington Tate Makes His Arrival

Our sixth grandchild, Remington Tate Phillips, was born November 21, 2014 in Abilene, Texas!  We are so thankful for this latest bundle of boy and especially for his safe arrival.  His weight was a little surprise, especially for Ashley.  The anticipated "little" guy weighed in at a surprising 8 pounds and 9 ounces!  We were all shocked a little, including the doctor.

All the grandparents spent the morning together entertaining Leighton or maybe it was the other way around. Sitting in a hospital isn't much fun but when you are waiting to see the newest member of the family, it sure makes it better.

Leighton has been such a good big sister.  As with any new sibling, there are some adjustments, but she is doing well.  We are looking forward to getting to know Remington in the months and years ahead.  We all know that there will be hunting and hogs in his future!

Big Sister to a little Mister!  Meeting little brother for the first time!

The two Pawpaws were hungry!  Lets go eat, Leighton!

 My first car ride.  

My first night home in my comfy bed!  I think I'm going to like this.