Christmas Spirit

The De Leon’s are caught up the Christmas Spirit already. We spent the weekend decorating the front yard, buying our tree and celebrating with friends. In truth I started decorating the house about two weeks ago.

Yes, yes I know I’m a bit ridiculous but Vin was at Mayme’s and so I took advantage of the time to get my garland hung in the house but then I did the unthinkable last week… I suggested that we get a fake tree. It seemed logical at the time. They are cheaper and easier than the “real thing”, the only thing you’re missing is the smell which can be achieved with either candles or live wreaths. Teri was adamantly opposed to the idea, she grew up with fake trees and only started getting a live one once we were together. I didn’t press the issue but my main argument was the way our tree was obtained. Teri and I usually go to the Home Depot and choose a tree from the hundreds they have piled up. Needless to say this is NOT the Christmas tree experience I want our kids to have.
When I was growing up we always went to the Boy Scout Troop 80 tree lot in Amarillo (FYI this is their 50 year anniversary). We would go to out to dinner, usually to Paradise Too and then get our tree. It was a real outing, a tradition, and I wanted our children to have something similar. So on Saturday Teri and I went to the Wall Family Tree Farm in Terrell Texas. It was the experience I was looking for, they had cider, popcorn, & cookies, live wreaths and mistletoe. We rode to the trees fields on a flat bed trailer full of hay and then walked around to choose our tree. I think it was more fun for Vin and I since we did not have to cut down the tree or drag it back to the trailer but Teri did a great job. She even secured it to her Pathfinder by herself and we made it all the way back to Dallas driving on the highway. Our only problem occurred when we forgot it was on the car and pulled into the carport. A loud crash ensued and then we both died laughing!! It reminded us of the U-Haul incident on New Year’s Eve 2001 in Pookeepsie NY, and if you don’t already know this story ask us sometime – it’s a keeper. Here's a few pictures of our tree adventure.

We finished up our weekend with dinner with the Northcutt’s, Teri made a delicious chicken dish with sautéed garlic spinach and Israeli cous cous. We hope to have a spirit filled, relaxing December full of friends, memories, and meals.

Thanksgiving

Honestly I didn't get that excited about Thanksgiving this year, it was just a bump on my way to CHRISTMAS! Thanksgiving day was nice, we spent it with the De Leon's. Vin and Emma were a hit and after we ate we had a late afternoon nap. All and all a good day but our Friday was a blast! We spent the entire day decorating the outside of the house. Vin roamed around while Teri and I hung lights and various other holiday accouterments. Today we're doing the same and heading out the get the tree later this afternoon. Pictures of the house coming soon. In the meantime here are a few of our turkey day.

Cookie!

Today was Vin's Thanksgiving lunch at daycare and all the Mom's brought something to share. We brought baked sweet potato fries but some other crazy Mom brought cookies with icing. Judging from the sugar spread from ear to ear, Vin liked them very much!
This is reminiscent of his first ever cupcake at Sienna's birthday party.

Happy Birthday Teri!

In honor of Teri's birthday I've "oranged up" our blog! Vin is with Mayme in Llano and Teri have been celebrating her birthday since Sunday, mostly by eating incredible food.
Here's a taste of what we've been up to...

Saturday before I took Vin to Llano Teri made us a fantastic breakfast.An omelet with spinach, red onion, red bell peppers, cheese and chorizo.Vin had already had his breakfast but managed to get into his Momma's lap for some more.

On Sunday we had a "baby free" gathering with some of our oldest and dearest friends. It was nice and relaxing and about midway through the party the cold front and rain began so we all moved inside. A perfect fall night for food, wine, cake, presents and friends!

Teri made:

Lager poached buffalo chicken with San Ignacio Blue Cheese on Endive leaves

Ginger shrimp pot stickers with soy sesame dipping sauce

Hoison glazed Asian ribs

Red Snapper, Salmon, Shrimp ceviche with avocado

and Smoked Venison sausage with artisanal cheese and crackers

On Monday we continued the party and went on a date to Victor Tango's. where we had a wonderful dinner at the bar and a toffee cake for dessert.

Vin better hurry home before Teri and I eat our way to her next birthday.
Happy Birthday Teri!

Flashback Friday

I can't even tell you how much I like our new home and neighborhood. Here's just a few things that come to mind .Vin's Mother's Day Out church is directly across the street and I've met several new Mom's there and the bonus is that I like them. The church has two playgrounds and then there is a city park .5 miles away. Our backyard is so easy to hang out in and big enough for Vin to explore. There are church bells at 12 noon and I can occasionally hear a train. I grew up with trains in the background and always enjoy hearing them. There is a Catholic church school across the street so most of the day is filled with the sound of children playing. But one of my most favorite things is the paper recycle bin across the street.
It is like having a free book store - seriously! I check it everyday and when I see someone making a big drop off I go check it out immediately. Yes technically it's digging in trash but really it's just paper and so it's not dirty. Here is a picture of the books I got out a few days ago. I took them to Half Price and got $10.00. So it’s not that much but it is free money.

Today I found the 50th anniversary box VHS set of Gone With the Wind and last week I found this note in a bible. It is such a sweet sentiment. So without further ado here is my Flashback Friday ...

December 30, 1972

Dear Jon, I have always loved you best !

This will be the last letter I write to you this year – I have always loved you in a special way because you were our first miracle – you were the genesis of a marriage, the fulfillment of young love, the promise of our infinity - and we wanted you so very much! You sustained us through the hamburger and hot dog years – our first tiny house furnished in early poverty, our first mode of transportation (1937 Plymouth) a small radio we paid on for 24 months.
You were new – had unused Grandparents, and had more clothes than a Barbie doll You were the original model for unsure parents trying to work the bugs out – you got the orange juice fresh, the strained lamb, stuck with pins and 3 hour naps. You saw Daddy go back in the Army on your first birthday – you were our beginning – and you have been a joy and a blessing to us – almost all the time –
Happy New Year!! And great things in 1973
With Love-
Mother & Daddy

Fall Festivities

As things are slowing down around here we’ve had the opportunity to enjoy the fall season. Last Friday was the annual Brinker Fall Festival. This year the Oscar Meyer wienermobile was there. Teri rode in it to breakfast and got to see all the people on the highway stare and wave at it. What a rare opportunity! How many people can say they took a ride in the famous wienermobile?
The festival featured hot dogs (of course) cotton candy, balloon animals, games, live music and much more. Vin took the opportunity to dress up in the On The Border table decorations. Everybody got a good laugh!

We now have three pecan trees in the front yard and they are dropping nuts like crazy. We took the time last Saturday morning to pick a few baskets. The weather was crisp, perfect for nut picking and soon there will be pie! Vin enjoyed the activity too but wasn’t all that helpful in keeping the nuts in the basket.

Also let me take a minute to brag about my wife. She is in travel mode again for the next few weeks but made sure that Vin and I were set with prepared food before she left. She even left me a note indicating what food was for me and what was for Vin. Here's a scanned copy.

Early Morning

It's 6:50 a.m. and I'm biding my time until 7:00 when I won't feel so guilty about taking a shower and waking up the little guy.

Darn it if he didn't wake up at 4:50 and I could hear him stirring around and letting out some little crys. I went in there to soothe him back down but he was standing up waiting for me with his monkey and his blanket. If I had left him in there he would have cried so I brought him to bed with us and we went back to sleep. Unfortunatley my alarm was set to go off at 5:00 and I have a ton of work to do, so instead of getting ready for work, I've been working at home. However, the time has come that I need to get out of the house and I hate to wake him.

On a funner note, here are a few pictures of Wesley and Vin at the park yesterday.