Marching band season consumed our world for the latter part of this year, but I wouldn't trade a minute. Z had an amazing Freshman experience being a part of "that Wylie Band". The upperclassmen took him under their wing and he made a ton of new friends. The dedication and level of responsibility required matured him in a fast & furious way. It's a beautiful thing. :) I chaperoned a lot and, behold, I am the "momarazzi".

Friday Night Lights! Saxophones!

Z w/his Section Leader

TX Stadium Playoffs

1st time at TX Stadium!

Wil's job is going very well especially considering the hit the mortgage biz took this year. Their office is swamped w/loans so we feel very blessed. When he has to work a Saturday here and there, I don't say a peep. Spring ball is just around the corner and he's gearing up to play on two leagues. Batter up.

I'm on winter break and that's why you're seeing a post! I'm taking advantage of a little down time and catching up on neglected projects. Great news! I finally jumped through all the hoops (4 semesters of Algebra!) for my math requirements and I'm home free. It's been a grueling process to get to this point. There were so many times when I thought I couldn't do it. But I've come too far to quit. Today, I registered for a full load at UTD, got my ID badge and parking permit. Welcome to big school!

Mamaw is coming for Christmas and I'm so happy she's well enough to join us. I've been flittering about making ready for her arrival. It's going to be a nice Christmas having her here.

I'll leave you with an outake from our family Christmas photo night: W & Z goofin'.

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Summer in Full Swing

School's out so Z & his friends are all about summer break!

Water gun fights, winter skin freshly fried (*ouch*), Guitar Hero marathons & Sonic Blasts!

~ End of school party ~

We leave for DC this Sunday, so stay tuned for more summer shots! Until then, hold it in the road.

Turning 40 in Paris

A couple of weeks ago the boys & MIL surprised me with a birthday trip to Paris, TX! I've always been curious about this old cotton town and it was fun to kick around for the weekend. We were a little short on time, so it was a drive-by kinda tour. There are still several historical sites we'd like to see - like the Civil War general's house (Sam Bell Maxey) and of course all the antiquing your heart desires.

Eiffel Tower ~ Paris, TX

Mom & W

Old Rail Depot

Folklore has it that Mr. Babcock would only believe in Jesus if he showed up wearing cowboy boots, so when he died his family made sure Jesus was a kicker ~ look closely.

Since we're well into spring, it's time to dust off this ole blog.

Z just turned 14! We celebrated with his favorite chocolate/snickers cake and midnight "glow-in-the-dark" bowling. He's actually quite the natural - I think he broke 100 every game. And what's even crazier and unheard of, so did Mom! However, this is a senstive subject for Wil - see, from his vantage point, my form was all over the map and there's no way my ball should've made it beyond the gutter! Competitive family? nahhhh.



Zane's school band had a major sweeps win at UIL! They've been practicing all spring ~ it's "the" competition of the schoolyear, so we're super proud for him.

In sad news, we lost our Roxie girl last Friday evening. She suffered from a common stomach problem for her breed and it finally got the best of her. Z took it surprisingly well, but Toby's still a little mopey. Every time he comes near the kitchen we feed him a treat. (I think that still qualifies as feeding our feelings doesn't it?) If we thought he was spoiled before...

~Rest in peace pretty girl~

In happier news, we're planning a trip to D.C. in June - it was part of Z's b-day surprise. He's always wanted to see the Smithsonian, so that's first on our agenda. If you've ever been to D.C. and have favorites to share, we'd love to hear about it. More to come on this, but for now, I'm off to algebera tutoring. :(

I'll leave you with a recent pic of Z making lasagna for the fam!

Good Eats ~ by Z !

Merry Christmas

Another Merry Christmas has come and gone! Yes, at times it was crazy and stressful pulling it all together, but we feel blessed to share some of our fondest moments.

Z after his Winter Concert at the high school. We're not sure who was more proud ~ him or us. It was a festive night that kicked off the perfect holiday spirit for the season.

Everyone should have a little Mamaw love. We had just arrived late that evening to join the rest of the H-clan in AR ~ we couldn't wait to get in our comfy jams.

Check out that music man! Z was teaching himself how to play a few Christmas tunes on Granny D's piano. Music to a momma's ears I tell ya. This is probably one of my favorite photos of him ~ so Z!

But then again...this is so Z too! He's quite the culinary kid so Ry & Liz had this apron made for him. He couldn't wait to make Christmas breakfast burritos for everyone. They were deeelish!

Here's to a Happy New Year!

The ducks from the pond across the street are still hanging around. We've watched them get fat & happy since late spring. They've recently been taking practice runs for their winter flight south. Yesterday morning, as the over-hyped "arctic blast" hit town, they were flit-fluttering all over the place. I couldn't tell if they were doing a happy dance enjoying the rain, or if they were freaked out that they didn't head south sooner. You be the judge:

Altho we weren't quite perpared for such a cold front, it sure makes for fun cold noses:

Thanksgiving in Texarkana

We had a wonderful getaway in Texarkana. It was nice to just kick back for a few days from the rat race of work & school. We ate good food, played cards, went 4-wheeling & rode Train ~ Anecia's marshmallow lovin' horse.

Mamaw spoils everyone rotten!

Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving as well!