Maisy's Weekend

The weekend we got back from Vegas we had Jesse and his family drive down for Maisy's blessing.

We went downtown to the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum for their free first Saturday to get a little lone star love.

Weather was gorgeous so we headed to the park while Jesse took Deborah out for a birthday lunch. Actually, Jamie's a saint and he took the kids down while I stayed back to work on the birthday dinner and cake. I joined them much later with a picnic lunch and found them dancing on the table to entertain themselves and divert their minds from their rumbling tummies waiting for me. Don't they look happy together though? I love that these guys live close and love being together. Thanks Jesse and Deborah for having babies the same time as us and always making time to get together. What fun times we've had and fond memories for everyone. As Andrew would say, "I just love these guys, they're awesome!" It's sweet to see how attached he is to every member of their family. Even Deborah who tries to claim a part-time membership in the "mean mama club" (I have a full time pass) and tries to give extra attention and sympathy to the middling children was off laughing and snuggling with Ender Boy. And the only fights are over Emma (well, and Weston getting up in James' business- poor middle child so desperate for attention he enjoys making a 4-yr-old mad at him).

The scooter posse. We weren't the only ones who got new scooters from Nana. My neighbors probably got a little nervous when they saw all the wheeled people out terrorizing the neighborhood, especially the grown man on the Barbie scooter. That's snarky.

And of course a lot of Maisy loving going on. Jesse had a hard time sharing but she made the rounds.

And the thing my kids were most excited to do with Maisy- put her in the stuffed animal box. Highlight of their week. Poor Maisy what a strange week for her. She's so sweet though.

Ringing in the New Year

We spent New Year's Eve with the Cannons. Emma had us all wearing funny hats and my mom tried out a tradition my aunt introduced us to, My mom put balloons on the Christmas tree to pop. Inside the balloons were strips of paper or money. The paper had "grab bag" (bag of Christmas clearance toys and treats) and "Minute to Win it" or another challenge. We took turns popping the balloons and playing together. Fun!

Andrew would get in between Maria and Brooke, wrap his little arms around there necks and squeeze them close saying, "I just love you girls."

Maria found this great sparkly flapper-style dress at Salvation Army and was excited to have an excuse to wear it.

Pop's competitive cup-stacking.

"Face the Cookie" - get the cookie from your forehead to your mouth without hands. The best!

Winning game strategy or stroke?

Party Time

Mama Steed don't do no skimpy weddings. No detail was left undone. It was gorgeous!

Love is in the air (and maybe something in the punch)

Between Chelsea and her show choir friends, Brighton's Just Dance Kids moves, and Emma getting in touch with her inner Zumba child we had ourselves a dance party on the floor.

Chelsea and Brian's Wedding

The beautiful bride!

I have a pretty good zoom on my camera

We're so happy for you Brian and Chelsea

Apparently we're not suppose to have a good family picture. This was the best of the batch.

Aw, but look how sweet this family is. Cameron, do you not feel loved?

The enlarged Steed clan. Seventeen people and they still all look good for the picture. Impressive!

Shayla found the boys matching sweaters and shirts and Grandma picked out Emma's flower girl ensemble. A fine group of children if ever I saw one.

Maisy

Forget Christmas the good stuff came a couple days later when this one arrived. Sweet Baby Maisy

With someone to play the lead role we were able to finally have our nativity reenactment.

The girls. Maisy ended an eight year girl drought in the Cannon family.

Brooke, you better be nice to me, between these pictures and the one of you pointing a gun at Andrew's face I could spread some pretty bad rumors that wouldn't look good for the aspiring teacher. Such violence.

Children's Museum

Spent some time at the Lied Discovery Children's Museum with the Nelsons

Christmas Day

Nana got the kids the scooters they've been wanting and grandma got the boys the jackets they're sporting.

Deluxe Thomas Train Set- the motherload. Didn't see the kids for hours.

Stephanie's eggcited about their new egg thing-a-ma-jig and Chelsea's so jealous.

Another successful round of Jamie gag gifts.

The present she didn't even know she needed. Something to soothe the Rascal-less days after we leave Vegas.

Celebrated Mama Steed's 55th birthday but her book didn't show up until Christmas.

Jealous Andrew. As if he didn't get enough. Our car was so stuffed on the way home Emma got buried in a landslide of gifts on a sharp turn.

Marshmallow shooter. Bring it on!

My brother is attending dental school at UNLV and is expecting his first child so I decided to pass on the UNLV baby shirt all three of my children proudly wore. Brooke and my dad meanwhile found their own fashion advice for the baby. Let it be noted however that the larger UNLV sweater I'm holding was one my dad picked up. I think he at least appreciates our colors or maybe that he didn't have to pay for my schooling. At least Jeff's children will appreciate my gifts (my brother-in-law who's also attending UNLV dental school and is actually a UNLV fan) .

Steeds on Wheels

My little brother likes to invent and build things and they actually work. Check out his blog at orangegarage.blogspot.com. He's been having fun coming up with these crazy bike designs. So when we were in Vegas we went out to his house for Bike Day to play with his garage full of bikes. Jamie's the only one that can do the recumbent bike but Brooke rocked "the egg bike." Andrew had fun chasing everyone down on his scooter then running away from them and Weston planted himself in the dune buggy even when it was parked hoping for another fast ride. We even got Shayla and Brent to take the dune buggy for a spin. Tons of fun and I was so glad to leave without any injuries!

California Dreaming

After a few days in Vegas, Emma and I drove with my parents and sister to one of my favorite places to visit my Grandma (and all the other California Hatchs). Emma enjoyed being the only little kid around and we enjoyed Christmas Eve day in the 70's. I only wish I brought T-shirts and sandals. It was so nice visiting with my grandma and my thoughts were flooded with sentimental memories walking around her home and yard that has changed little in the last 20 years. The sunny California weather wasn't the only thing that brought me warmth and comfort. Everything from picking tangelos to sitting by the fire in the rumpus room felt familiar and peaceful.

Speaking of little girls who have no business growing up and getting beautiful (like Emma in the last post)...

Four generations