the holiday season is in full swing

we finally got all our holiday decor up last week. tuesday november, 28, we got the outside lights on the house and the tree "put up." putting the ligts on the house was quite tricky. our house is about 20 feet high in the front. bret had to borrow an extension ladder from our neighbors. i was terrified that he might fall off, but he managed to get all the lights up without doing so. it was alot of fun because several families on our street were outside doing the same thing as we were. all on ladders hanging lights and placing yard decor out and about. one family had christmas music on loud enough for the whole street to hear while we were decorating. it was very holiday spirit inspiring. the kids LOVED it. they were so excited to see the lights on our house and everyone else's. after that--it was about 8:30 we came in and bret quicky set the tree up so the kids could decorate it. they had a blast putting up their own ornaments from years past. is was so cool. finally we sat and just looked at it (it had yet to be "fluffed" out and all the ornaments were on the front bottom half of the tree where they could reach.) it was beautiful. bret told them about the christmas story and we sent them to bed. it was as magical as christmas nights come. i spent the next two days fixing the tree and putting up the rest of the holiday decorations.

thursday we had a winter blast. it dropped 30 degrees in less than an hour and the artic plast was with us. we saw snow, sleet and all kinds of mixed precip. when i brough t micah in from school we made hot chocolate to warm up with. he loved that!!

one of the kids from our youth group when we lived in nashville, josh carillon, came to spend the weekend with us. we picked him up form the airport friday afternoon and went to lunch. when anna ordered her drink, she asked for diet coke (she always does because bret does) she informed josh that she ordered diet coke because Jesus "dieted on the cross." we rolled with laughter. its so funny what she comes up with. we had so much fun with josh. our kids had a blast with him, too. we had john and crysty over on friday night to have dinner with us and play dominoes. it was a lot of fun. saturday we went to the neiman marcus adolphus childrens parade. it is so amazing every year. afterwards we saw avalon perfom christmas music and went to have some lunch. after stoping by the church to pick up a few things, we went home. bret and josh stayed with the kids and i went out to pick up some groceries and do some shopping. that night i got to keep Sydney kate so ryan and lesli could go out for their first get away since being home with her. it was such an honor and we had a blast. thankfully we officially can not have any more because i had a strong urge to have another. i thnk bret felt it too, just a litte, even though he denies it. he held her more thatn any of the rest of us. she was so sweet. sunday we had an awesome service and went to chili's afterward with ryan and lesli and john and crysty. it was so much fun. i have really missed being able to spend time with them. crysty and i stayed in dallas to do the NFNL home tour and help with it afterwards. bret, josh, john and the kids came home to watch football and play cards. they had a blast and crysty and i did too. we got home around 10 and the boys were all laughing hysterically about their game of poker they had going on. i am glad they had such a great time.

bret took josh back to the airport monday morning and the girls and i had a pajama day. it was nice. this week is not too crazy but starting with the weekend, we will start having holiday parties, concerts and scool functions every night until christmas. its the most wonderful time of the year. i will go now, but i will have to remind myself to tell you all about our visit to see santa. it was very magical. hopefully next time. love you all. happy holidays,
summer