Did you Know...

that Bailey was thrilled to be Mary and she didn't move out of her role...

that Joseph (Benz) was just not into the robe thing ...

and that it's very hard to be two...

that second grade (AJ) loved being a shepherd...

and that one of the Three Kings rode a cow...

and that the same king had to be bribed with a cookie on Baby Jesus to worship him...

and that the other kings were really well behaved...

and that no matter what goes on in your Christmas Pageant...

You can know that Jesus Christ is the Savior of this world and he gave us the greatest gift of all.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

A Magical Night at the "Nutcracker"

At about 4:45 a beautiful little princess showed up at our door. She looked stunning for her night out with her Papa and Guggy. She was however a little more excited that she got to sleep over at Guggy's house, than the main event the "Nutcracker." We got in our fuel drawn 4Runner and headed downtown. That was of course after we picked up Aunt B and her little princess Carmen.

We finally arrived after heavy traffic. We could hardly wait for the performance to start.


We stopped off at the gift shop to buy a memento of our fun evening together. Of course our little princess wanted nothing to do with jewelry, books, nutcrackers, or such. She found her perfect gift in a bulldog dressed in a TUTU...seriously. (I need to get a picture forgot to take one.) Carmen purchased a picture book of the "Nutcracker" which she read to Bay while we were waiting for the performance.

Sara a main principal in the Houston Ballet did a beautiful job as the Arabian Princess. She switches between that and the Sugar Plum Fairy. She was so kind to make sure the girl's night was magical.

Clara


Girls with the Sugar Plum Fairy

Then Sara took us on stage... the girls in the sleigh (boat).

...on Clara's bed...

...on the Sugar Plum Fairy's throne...

...taking it all in...

Sara even let them hide in Mother Ginger's skirt...in SLC think we called her Mother Buffoon? Was really dark when I took the picture.

The princesses ready to depart from our magical adventure. It was such a great evening. Even Papa thought it was the best date he had, had, in a long time.

Deck the Halls...

I don't take these pictures to show my decorating skills... which I have not a clue. I do it merely as a reference for what I did for the year, and for my kiddles in Virginia. I really haven't finished things the way I would have liked to. I am still telling Rick we need a few more lights outside. But for now Deck the Halls with...

Texas wrapped tree



Wreath's and Garland

Texas Santa's

"Dickens Village"

and last but not least...Guggy's famous Santa Tree!

I think I have over 300 Santa's now. Rick didn't want me to put up the HO-HO ribbon streamers this year. He likes to see all the Santa's without the ribbon hiding some of them. I am always willing to accommodate. Fa la la la la, la la la la...

Cute as a Cupcake

Brynley's Birthday was on December 3rd, but we were out of town so Loo waited until last Sunday night to have a family party. We had a great time. Brynley's party was Cupcake themed along with a cupcake cake.

Our little Cupcake!



Loo put her hat on, and she took it off. Stupid guggy put it back on for a picture. UH OH!!!!

Her Cupcake Cake. (Say that fast three times!)

Her finished cupcake!


Happy Birthday Brynley!

More to be grateful for...

Today I am grateful for many things. For my husband, and the great father, and grandfather he has become. I have loved watching him grow and change into a wonderful man. For my children and their spouses, and the wonderful parents they are becoming in light of all the pressure in the world that encourages young people to do their own thing. They are all so good in teaching their children to become good examples to the world around them.

For the blessing of having little Jacob blessed by his Father today at church, and a loving Papa, Uncle, and extended family participate in this Priesthood ordinance.

Rick and Jacob Rodrick Stewart

Proud Guggy and Papa

For our Family.
Elizabeth holding Brynley, Bailey, Brianne holding Isaac, Jarod holding Jacob, Brandon holding Benson, and Papa and Guggy.


For extended family.
Family with Sarah and Israel (cousins). Aunt B came but had to leave early to go sing in her stake conference. I am thankful to be down here in Houston, with Becky (sister) and her family.


For our cuties in Virginia. We miss you so much!
Laynie, Papa, and Gavin reading "Humphrey the Camel." Nov. 21, 2009


Jamie Wallace Family. Jamie with Laynie, Gavin, and Becky.



So much to be thankful for. I hope I can always remember to count my blessings daily, because I know they are sent straight from Heaven.

Virginia Celebrations!

Air and Space Museum+ lunch at Red Robin+Pizza for dinner + yummy birthday cake = 1 HAPPY 4 YEAR OLD! We were lucky to be in Virginia on Gavin's birthday. We had a full day of activities. Gavin blowing through his front teeth to extinguish the candle.

He got a lot of fun presents.

Laynie was as thrilled as Gavin.

Cutest Papa in the world.

National Air and Space Museum?

My "TOP GUN."

This place is huge a space shuttle fits in it!

The control tower was great for observing the planes flying in to Dulles Airport.

The airplanes looked like toys hanging from the rafters.

Enola Gay the plane that drop the first atomic bomb. We really didn't know how to feel about seeing it.

A replica of the Wright Brothers Plane.

A SOGGY DAY IN WASHINGTON DC

We hopped on the train to Washington DC on Tuesday. It went fairly smooth. Gavin and Laynie were really good for all the cold wet rain, walking, and sitting they had to endure throughout the day. The pictures aren't in the order we saw things but here we go...

Gav and Gugs posing at the Lincoln Memorial with the Washington Monument and Capital in the background.

One of my favorite places. Lincoln Memorial.

Washington Monument

This was a cool picture when the fog moved in.

The Capitol building in the distant fog.

World War II Memorial was Rick's favorite.

The wall is covered in stars each star represent 100 people who died.

There were beautiful sculptures everywhere.

Each state was represented by a pillar that had a sculptured wreath on it.

Jamie's Family

They had a lot more of these sculptures along the way.


Vietnam Memorial was sobering too.

Names of the fallen are etched on the wall.

The White House front was covered by a tent. It was really disappointing.

Nations Christmas Tree

Cute Kiddles

Back entrance of the White House.

Back entrance from the side.

I LOVE TO SEE THE TEMPLE

Before Thanksgiving Dinner we went to the Washington DC Temple. I think it is definitely one of my favorite temples.

One of the Sister Missionaries took our picture in the Visitor Center.

Temple reflection.

The leaves in the photo were bright red.