Ballard Bunch

New Year's Day was a big day for our family. TCU played in the Rose Bowl against Wisconsin. Wisconsin had ended the season one of the hottest football teams in the country and everyone was anxious to see their offense versus our defense. The Rose Bowl is a big deal- one of the oldest bowls, played in the largest stadium. It is considered "The Grandaddy of all Bowl Games". Jason got a TCU Rose Bowl banner from the kids for Christmas and we got it hung just in time. I made the kids climb on the ledge of the deck to get their picture under the banner. The wind died down just as I got them in place, so it turned out perfect! We were all purpled up! Lucy did one of her TCU tattoos, and Walker put on his TCU eye black stickers. Lucy painted my nails, alternating purple and white. We were ready! A New Year's Toast, before the game Way to go, Horned Frogs!!

Normally, Christmas is over by the 26th and we are standing among boxes and bags and toys and stocking stuffers and wondering "WHERE IN THE WORLD IS THIS GOING TO GO??" But, this year with our different schedule, we still had one day of Christmas to go, and I LOVED it! We had breakfast with Peepaw and GG and then went down to their house for presents. I stayed in my jim jammers all day :) Opening stockings Hot Wheels track!! More sparkles and sequins for my princess Ohhh, what a great relaxing day of opening presents. Not in a rush today- we got nowhere else to go!! Lucy got all of GG's old Barbies and an awesome case to hold it all in. She loved this meaningful present

Christmas Morning!! Snuggies and Pillow Pets from SANTA!!! I love getting the "just woke up, but so excited" picture Then, onto Gran's for breakfast and presents Purple vuvuzela for Poppa! Ironman mittens knitted by my sister. Yes, I'm serious! After Gran's, we head over to Jason's Nanny's house to see the whole Braudaway crew. Walker and Lucy with Aric, Aunt Debbie and Papa After Nanny's, we head downtown to meet the Snelson side for Walker's favorite part of the day. He absolutely adores all my cool boy cousins. They are SO sweet to him, and he just loves hanging with the big boys. One of my boy cousins drew Walker's name, and for his present, he is taking him to a TCU basketball game, just the two of them. How cool is that?? Walker is SO EXCITED! Lucy opening her sparkly presents. She totally worked it, and modeled her new furry vest for all to see.

We did things a little differently this year, not intentionally, our work/school schedule demanded it. Jason was off, for the first time, the week following Christmas. That meant he had to work Christmas Eve, so we had to shift some of our Christmas from Eve to the 26th. Also, my preschool was open the week preceding Christmas, so my first day of Winter Break was Christmas Eve, the 24th. It was really strange working right up to Christmas Eve, but we got everything done and it was great stretching it out for 3 days! We still had breakfast and decorated cookies with Peepaw and GG, and I personally loved the addition of a Mama's Pizza lunch to Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve evening is with the Ballards, and it was fun to celebrate the twins' first Christmas! Lucy and Aizlyn We were officially brought into the world of American Girl this year! Lucy with her new baby, Carly Beth Christmas Eve jim jammers Nana and Papa with their 4 grandchildren :)

I kept hearing about these great lights downtown and the Chesapeake building. I finally figured out where they were and told Jason about it. We went out one night to see Narnia and ended up finding the lights. These are so cool! These trees are completely covered- it's all the way around the property of the building, and we walked the whole thing. I hope they do this again next year, it was really amazing. Sydney took this picture and I just love it! I'm actually in a picture- WITH my kids :) We had Wright family Christmas the weekend before Christmas. It had been a while! My cousin's family moved before Christmas last year, so we didn't all get together for Christmas last year. The kids had so much fun together! They are within 2 years from the oldest to the youngest, so they were running around and laughing and playing- it was a blast! Lucy loved holding Cookie Cate and Lucy K'nex! Walker loves these blocks :) Lucy decided she wanted her hair cut, so we got it don...

We had one crazy Tuesday in December that happened to be Lucy's ballet Parent's Day and Walker's Holiday Showcase. Once again, we have great family that jumped right in and made the day great. I invited Lucy's aunts and grandma's to her ballet showcase and everyone to Walker's holiday concert. We had time in between ballet and the concert to change clothes and eat dinner. What a crazy evening, but it was great to see the kids' showcase their activities and the family get to see it all! Lucy's audience At the bar- her favorite part of class Jack in the box dance And...bow Walker's Holiday concert Looking for us :) Caitlin graduated from COLLEGE!!! We are so proud! And, another Horned Frog alum in the family. Gotta love that :) With Andy Dalton, #14 TCU Quarterback CONGRATS, Aunt Caitlin!!!