Not Quite Ice Skating

A few weeks ago Jill mentioned that we could go ice skating while in Texas. All we knew was that there was a synthetic ice rink in Killeen...so we decided to check it out. Jenna had been looking forward to it since Jill first suggested it. Basically the synthetic ice rink was a big, thick piece of some sort of plastic. We still had to wear ice skates to skate on it (hockey skates actually). It was definitely an interesting experience! The good part was that is was not cold or wet (we were actually really hot) and it didn't hurt too bad when you wiped out (I should know...I had a spectacular fall!). The bad part is that is was so slippery. I know...ice is supposed to be slippery...but this was way more slippery than any ice I've ever been on. Our skates had no "picks" on the front to help us dig into the ice and keep our balance. The PVC pipe fencing around the outside didn't help us too much with balancing either. We were all covered in tiny plastic shavings from the ice by the time we finished. Somehow we managed to skate though - some a little better than others. We had fun, laughed a lot, and took a ton of photos.

I had so many fun photos to share that I thought I'd try a slideshow. You can see the slideshow in the post below this one. I hope it works! If not...let me know in the comments and I'll add photos the regular way. Be patient...it may take a little while for the slide show to load.

PS It is obvious that Marcus clearly gets his ice skating talent from Brenda, don't you think??

Not Quite Ice Skating - the slide show

Puppies...and Marcus' birthday

I'm still trying to work on posting my favorite Texas photos. The first few are photos of the kids with Brenda and Scott's pit bull puppies. The kids loved them....just don't let Chris know they played with pit bull puppies!

Poor Mia just wasn't quite sure what to do with the puppy!!
While we were in Texas we also helped Marcus celebrate his 14th birthday - complete with a pirate theme decorations picked out by Carsyn. We had dinner at Scott and Brenda's and then Maggie Moos ice cream cake! Yummy!!

Grandpa occupied Mia and Payton while the rest of us played Apples to Apples.Check back later today for more Texas photos....cousin photos, baby Mia photos, and fake ice skating photos. Sorry Lori - I never took a sister photo. I thought of it when I got home, but never thought of it when I was there. I was in 100% kid photo mode. I need to get out of that!! It also looks like I'm going to have to join the other blogging sisters/cousins and change the look of my blog!!

Christmas in Texas

The morning after Christmas we left to drive to Columbus to fly to Texas. We got to Texas late on the 26th and celebrated Christmas at Jill's house the next day. Chris didn't get to go with us because of basketball. On the day of our Christmas get together, Scott had to work - so he made a quick appearance, opened his gifts and left. Marc was getting ready to leave for a basketball tournament out of town, so he also quickly opened his gifts and then got back to packing. At one point it was only Mom, Dad, Brenda, Jill and I in the room opening gifts - kind of like old times....or a single mom's get together! Here are just a few of my favorites from the day. As I was going back through my Texas photos I realized how once again I mangaged to take a TON of kid photos and very few adult photos. I really, really need to change that!!

I have a lot more Texas photos to share from our trip....so be sure to check back often over the next few days!!

The "kid's table"....

Luke and Carsyn...I love how they are sitting exactly the same way in this photo!

Miss Payton....she just makes me laugh. She is such a mini-Brenda! (Brenda - maybe this will work for your contest entry!)
OR how about this one???
Grandpa and Mia...

Marcus and Jacob... Luke, Payton, Carsyn, and Jenna (and half of Jacob's head!)...
Baby Mia.....we miss her already!!
Marcus opening our gift....

Christmas Day

Next stop on the Christmas tour....Christmas Day at our house with the Covey/Baxter sides of the family. We all got together for food, presents, more food, and socializing. It's always lots of fun! Looking back at the photos I took, I realized how totally random they were....and for some reason everyone ended up with evil red eyes. (I did my best to fix them !)

Our tree with a MOUNTAIN of presents around it. I think half of these belonged to Jenna!

Sitting and patiently waiting to open gifts....
Jenna and Grandma...Chris' Dad.....don't ask!!! :)
Hannah Montana (aka Chris' cousin Megan)...
Ryan and Becca....Chris' parents...
Jenna and Lauren (Chris' cousin) playing HSM Sing it...

Christmas Morning

The Christmas tour continues with Christmas morning at our house. The kids actually let us sleep until 7:45am before waking us up. As usual, they were excited to see their presents! Jacob's favorites: a video game chair, new shirt and sweatshirt, legos, and an NCAA football game for PS2. Jenna's favorites: Leapster, American Girl sweatshirt and a matching sweatshirt for her doll, Littlest Pet shop animals, and High School Musical 2 DVD. They both got the High School Musical Sing It game for PS2 (like karaoke) that we all had fun singing along with!

In front of the tree before opening gifts...

Opening a big present from Santa...

...a new video game chair...

Singing along to High School Musical Sing It... Bringing a present to Mom (a hot chocolate maker!)....
Opening her Leapster from Santa...
Checking out the goodies in her stocking....

Christmas Eve

For the first time in a long, long time (maybe my whole life??) we didn't have any where we had to be on Christmas Eve. Because our family is so spread out and because we still get together with our extended families, we usually have a family get together planned for Christmas Eve....but not this year. We spent the day relaxing and getting some last minute things done for our Christmas Day get together and later went to the Christmas Eve service at church. These are our traditional stand-in-front- of-the-tree-on-Christmas-Eve photos. My family loves doing these! HA!

PS Hi to my cousin Lisa! I know you are stalking ...but leaving no comments. :) Someday we'll get you to make your own blog so we have one more to stalk.

Christmas Tour 2007

We started our Christmas tour on December 23rd in Huron with my Dad's side of the family. As usual we had lots of good food, lots of talking, and a lot of fun. Jessica (my cousin) was home from Poland for a short visit, so it was nice to see her and catch up. Here are just a few photos from Christmas in Huron.

Jacob, Quinn, Jenna, and Rylee

Reading a book while waiting to open gifts...Jenna and Grandpa...
Jacob, Jenna and Great Grandma Davis...
Aunt Nancy "strikes a pose" while she waits for her family to pose with her by the tree (I told you this would show up on my blog!)....
Grandpa, Grandma, Jenna, and Jacob...
Lori and I had the BRILLIANT idea to take a group photo using the self timer! Here's my favorite "out take"...
Much, much better....

Rylee and Jenna in new matching shirts and socks from Aunt Nancy...
Rylee loved this snow globe!!
Jacob and Quinn...