Family Pictures 2015

 Thanks to Cary's very talented sister Chiara and the weather cooperating for about an hour, we managed to get a few family pictures done over Thanksmas. I loved them all as usual and it was nice to check that off of my yearly list. Now to decide which one or ones make the Christmas card...

Thanksmas 2015

Once every three years it is our turn to host Cary's side of the family for "Thanksmas" or Christmas depending on everyones' schedules and what works the best. This year it was "Thanksmas" so we got to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas together. This meant decorating the house for Christmas a little early because we cannot sit around opening Christmas presents without a tree. It was nice to get the house frocked early so we could sit back and enjoy it the rest of the season. This also means 17 people staying at our house for 3-4 nights and lots of food to prepare. It is a crazy but fun time...even if we had rain every day they were here which meant no outside play. All the cousins enjoyed being together and memories were definitely made.

Waiting to thank God for family and food

Our Thanksgiving meal all spread out and ready to eat

 A little Christmas sugar cookie decorating thanks to Aunt Chiara's delicious cookies she always brings.

 Finally it is present time...

 Adalyn

 Londyn

 Crew

 Devon

 Cane

 Chenna

 Campbell

 Colt

 Catch

Kaylee

 Almost everyone seated and ready for church to start

 Who knew trying to get a good cousin picture could be so hard...

 We had a great time together playing games, catching up, eating a lot, and just enjoying our time together. Merry Thanksmas from the Beard side of the family to you!

Happy 14th Birthday Kaylee!

 How did this happen? The question I ask myself every time that we celebrate a Birthday around here. The time continues to pass by no matter how hard I try to stop it or at least make it slow down. Well it happened again, Kaylee turned another year older and a little closer to driving and dating...I am definitely not ready for all of that. Good thing we have 2 more years!

Kaylee is nothing but pure joy! She radiates a gentle spirit that loves to laugh, loves the Lord, and loves her friends and family. She gives 110% to every thing that she does whether it be sports, school, or relationships with others. She is mature beyond her years and is always ready to embrace adventure. I just love her heart and am so thankful that the Lord let us be her parents...what a blessing.

 if you live in Texas then you know that the only ice cream worth eating is Blue Bell. Well unfortunately there was a shutdown in production for several months due to an outbreak at one of their facilities of a virus. This was especially sad to Kaylee and Cary. Kaylee found out that they were going into production again and the first shipment would be coming to some stores around her birthday. So a few days before her birthday she mentioned that she would like to have some Blue Bell as one of her presents. Unfortunately, Abilene was not getting their first shipment until after Kaylee's birthday. Little did she know that I had talked to my friend Amanda who is an amazing caterer and she had an extra gallon of Blue Bell in her possession that she had traveled to a different town to get. She put it aside for me and I took Kaylee with me to pick it up a little before her birthday. You would have thought I had gotten her the Hope Diamond. She was so excited and could not stop saying "Thank you for loving me so much Mom!"while grinning from ear to ear.

I just love celebrating this precious girl! She has definitely made being a mom greater than I could have ever imagined.

Some November happenings...

Once we returned from Boston we hit the ground running with all of the girl's activities...

 ...a little 8th grade Wylie Basketball

 ....one leaky drain pan led to a newly tiled shower, just what you want to spend money on this close to Christmas

 ...a little deer hunting where they found a hog but no deer.

 Campbell and her best bud Lauren...they have so much fun together!

 They also both placed in Listening Skills at the UIL meet.

After all that fun it was time to get the house ready for "Thanksmas" with Cary's side of the family.

 We even managed to get the outside ready for their arrival.

Boston 2015

Every year I have the pleasure of accompanying Cary to the Charles Schwab conference. This is usually our only trip we take just the two of us so it is always a treat. One of the best things is the location is decided for us so we do not have to try to figure out where to go. I had never been to Boston so I was very excited for this trip. 

Campbell's volleyball team played in the City Tournament before we left for Boston, I was so thankful we did not have to miss it.

We stayed at a historical hotel in Boston called the Fairmont Copley Plaza which was gorgeous in the lobby. I loved all of the detailing which you can see from this picture. I could have sat in the lobby with coffee all day and just taken in the view.

Just a few historical buildings that I thought were beautiful.

This bronze statue of George Washington is found in the Public Garden. It was placed here on July 3, 1869. That is amazing to me!

A picture of using the Public Garden. We were there on a Sunday afternoon so it was fun to see they way the people who live there flock to the park to enjoy the day in many different ways and of various ages. It gave me a feel for the people of Boston.

We had so much fun learning more about Boston on a walking tour of The Freedom Trail with this guide who assumed the identity of someone from the period she was dressed to represent.

Massachusetts State House

Granary Burying Ground

The Old North Church

The Old State House

After all of that walking we decided to get a bite to eat at Cheers...unfortunately or fortunately everyone did not know our name.

The original Cheers from the television show.

We decided to take in a show one night and we were lucky enough to catch Blue Man Group which we had never seen before. The show was very entertaining and it took place in a small theatre so every seat was a great one.

On our way to dinner we found the Paul Revere House. When in Boston we decided every street has some historical significance which is overwhelming to the brain but also fascinating.

We also found this wonderful Italian restaurant thanks to the recommendation of a friend...it was delicious. I would say it was the best meal of the whole trip.

Another tourist must was to go to Tea Party Museum in Boston Harbor. 

You have to love a tour guide in character.

While Cary was in his conference I enjoyed some shopping near the hotel. Lucky for me there was an indoor mall for the day it was raining and an outdoor area for the sunny days.

We also managed to get some cannoli from Mike's Pastry which we were told was the best...I am not a cannoli connoisseur so you will just have to try it for yourself when you go to Boston. I did find it to be very tasty.

It was another wonderful trip filled with lots of laughs, lots of history, and lots of one on one time with my favorite guy. What more could a girl ask for?