a little reminder

because we all need a little reminder sometimes that He is always there...



Many blessings for you all this new year!

only in Texas

all I can saw is "wow."



Seriously! (and if you call this place because you need gutter work done, tell them I want my referral fee!)

Back at the beginning of December, Mike and I went to San Antonio for a couple of nights WITHOUT CHILDREN! It was wonderful! Margaritas were consumed on the riverwalk and we actually slept past 8am for 2 mornings in a row! We always stay at La Mansion on the river - love that place

The first night we were there, I made Mike take one of those riverboat cruises with me. I decided I wanted to be a tourist and I had never been down there when the river was all decked out for Christmas - Gorgeous!!!










This is a gingerbread house that made by the pastry chefs at the hotel. It was just beautiful!


(I made Mike do a thumbs-up - remember, I was embracing my inner-tourist!)


There is an amazing walkway that leads from the river, through the Hyatt hotel lobby, and up to street level. I had no idea it was there and basically, it is a huge fountain that stretches about 300 yards and has too many different drops and spillways to count!




Also in the Hyatt lobby, we saw a glass shop with these beautiful glass sculptures hanging in the windows! I would die to have those ornaments in our house (or the other one too!) So pretty!




We went to see A Christmas Carol in 3-D (which, by the way, is NOT for kids!)


a super-cute holiday decoration I saw at the mall



Finally, some views of the Alamo, all decked out! day and night views!

Will's 3rd birthday

We had Will's party a few weeks ago and he had a blast!

the pre-party:

Will's hair stayed like this for exactly 3.2 seconds and then it was over.


Happy birthday, brother - what's up with your hair?!


For my birthday, I would like to pinch your nose. thank you.


Don't you just love me in my baby jeans?



time to PAR-TAY!
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(we had an excellent babysitting team in place)




(at one point, there was a small amount of pouting, but Mike fixed it!)










super-fast!


he had been practicing for weeks!




showing off the green icing


**** a special shout-out to Nick for taking most all the pics so we could truly enjoy the moment! ****

we're like this:

the Preston boys and Dr. Poole

I was counting the other day all the visits we have made to the pediatrician in the past couple of months.

Let's see, William had his seasonal flu shot at the beginning of October (that's one, one dr. visit - muah, ah, ah, ahhhhh).

Then Dr. Poole saw Ryan in the hospital - twice! (that's three, three dr. visits - muah, ah, ah, ahhhhhh).

And of course, Ryan had a 2-day and a 2-week check-up. (up to five now!).

At some point in the middle of this, William went in for the first part of his H1N1 shot (six!).

Ryan had a cold at about 6 weeks so we went in just to make sure all was okay (seven dr. visits - muah, ah, ah, ahhhhh).

Then we were back for Ryan's 2 month check-up (EIGHT!).

Then William had a cold that I was SURE had developed into an ear infection cuz they always do (NINE) but of course, it hadn't!

William had a 3-year check-up, but we got to combine that with the second part of the H1N1 shot (TEN). [a sidenote: when we went for the yearly check-up, dr. poole was looking at Will's ears and remarked, "they look a little bit inflamed" That's right! he goes in for a check-up and comes out with an antibiotic prescription for an ear infection! and it's not the first time it has happened...]

And finally (I hope!) we went today for the cold/RSV/what is this? visit

That is ELEVEN doctor visits in the past couple of months. We (well, actually, United Health Insurance) are keeping this place afloat!!!

In all seriousness however, we are so very grateful. There has been nothing dramatic and everyone seems to be healthy as soon as Ryan gets over his icky stuff. I have been off work and was able to get the boys there quickly. The office is super-close to the house and everyone there is just so wonderful!

Here's to springtime soon!

sick baby

poor Ryan - he has some icky, phlegmy (seriously?! how do you spell that word?!) stuff in his throat and because of his age and the RSV-time-of-year, we went to see Dr. Poole today (again!!! more on that to come!).
Good news: it is not RSV
Bad news: it is not RSV... yet

Doctor said his lungs, chest, and ears are all clear and look wonderful. But then again, she said it might just be starting up. We were sent home with all the signs of RSV to watch for and the list of the 4 different doctors that are available on call for Dr. Poole's patients during Thur/Fri holidays and the weekend.

Here's hoping we don't need them!!!

Christmas in pictures

visual highlights of our Christmas: