Christmas Decorations 2010

 Half of the Mantle

 Stocking - Jon, Mack, Sarah.  My sister, Beth, made Mack's stocking.  I was supposed to get around to making two that matched it for me & Jon this year but I didn't.  Maybe I should do that in the summer when work is slower.

 Minimally decorated tree.  Mack REALLY liked the ornaments.  The tree is completely uneven and instead of star, there are deer antlers.  I need to fix that problem.  Every morning when we would walk into the living room, Mack would point and say, "Tree!".  He was so cute with lights, too.  He would say, "ooOOOOOooo" each time he saw tree or house lights.

 My grandmother's nativity scene.  She got this when she got married in 1947 or 1948ish.  It's obviously missing a few pieces (I later found the baby Jesus in the toe of one of the stockings) but it's very sentimental.

 Vintage ornaments on the white tree.  I began collecting vintage Christmas ornaments the first year of our marriage.  I keep an eye out for them at Estate Sales, Canton & Garage Sales.  They can be quite pricey but I try to keep it cheap.  I have about 45 ornaments & they look great on this white tree in my turquoise, black & white dining room.

 Soap Stone Nativity Scene acquired in Kenya in 1996.  My first trip to Kenya and I fell in love with this soap stone carved nativity scene.  I originally bought it for my grandmother (same one as above) but once I got married she gave it back to me.  I love it.  I can still remember the face of the man who was carving and selling these.

I designed these to give out to our friends and donors at our Holiday Gala.  Using our Holiday branding & regular logo, these ornaments are nothing too special design wise but for sure this ornament will ALWAYS be on my tree.  I love this place and the work our amazing counselors and case managers do.  I love that I get to help make Christmas happen for hundreds of women & children who think that Santa will never find them in a Shelter.  Trust me, he not only finds them but he DELIVERS.

Decade Three

On Dec. 2nd, I turned 30.  Thirty!

I can't believe I'm so old.  Okay, it's not really that old but thirty!  I've already done all the 'major' things in life - college, traveled parts of the world, marriage, buy a house, birth a child.  It feels like I've done it all yet also that I haven't done anything.

I am finally starting to feel more like myself and for that I am grateful because the ages of about 17-22 were very weird for me.  I'm so glad I never have to be that age again.

Here's the thing about a Dec. 2 bday.  It gets lost in the Holidaze.  People are still sitting with their pants undone after Thanksgiving or are already knee-deep in tinsel that birthdays (including mine) are the last thing they want to celebrate.

I mean, I share the birthday month with Jesus.  Even though Christ was probably born sometime in the Spring, some ad wizard who needed to bring up sales in the 4th quarter decided to make Dec. 25th the day we celebrate the birth of our Lord & Savior.  Which is fine, I guess.

So Jon (along with his mom) planned a surprise party for me.  And I was super surprised.  For one, I was looking forward to spending that evening in my PJs, in my bed, watching TV or farting around on the internet.  He encouraged me to go with him to his parent's to drop Mack off and put on a real shirt (rather than a t-shirt), saying that he'd take me to dinner & coat shopping.  I reluctantly put on clothes.

We got to his parents and I came in from the garage towards the kitchen & was stunned to see my entire family (Elmores and Burns) plus dear friends there.  It was really great and I still haven't even sent Thank You notes (or all of our Christmas Cards).

It was a great night so if you came, Thank You!  I was very surprised to start Decade Three by peeing my pants (just kidding).

Merry Christmas from Team Burns!

mack is...

Always


on


the


move

Everyone Gather Around the (Sand) Table

Scott, Mack & James

Mack was a BIG fan of the sand table

Even after the cold front came in & the temp dropped 25 degrees!

Happy Birthday, Joe!

The day before Thanksgiving was Jon's younger brother, Joe's, birthday. We were so glad to enjoy an adults only night out with the family (thank you Mimi for babysitting!). Bob, Kay, Zach & Julie, Scott & Nonnie, Jon & me, and Joe & his girlfriend, Erminia (who was in from Italy) celebrated at East Side Cafe in ATX. These pictures make me want to master the manual settings on my camera!

Joe is truly one-of-a-kind. Not only is he extremely smart (Fullbright Scholarship Finalist!) but he is an amazing cook with a passion for Italian food (and of course he is fluent in Italian). He's also the 3rd of 4 and so Joey & I can really connect. :) Joey is always himself no matter what and we really admire that. We're so glad that Joe is Mack's Godfather!
Bob, Zach, Jon, someone's purse, Joe

Be-Fries

Mack & James had a lot of fun together over Thanksgiving! Whichever one was getting the most attention, the other was sure to copy. James is almost two and quite the talker. He's so bright & polite. He loves to run everywhere, it's so funny. He is into trains and "Big Truck!" right now. James also is starting to watching TV shows for longer than 30 seconds and so Mack would try to sit on the couch and watch with him. Mack didn't last long unless there were goldfish.

Thanksgiving

I look yuck but Mack looks a little sweet here. I'm surprised he was sitting still!


Licking the whipped cream beaters!


James with his black olive finger

Miss Me?

Halloween 2009 Flashback

I ain't 'fraid of no ghost

James was a bee but said "out, out" everytime the costume was on. Also, for my mother-in-law, please ignore the lack of landscaping in front. That is being redone. There is even a sign next to the scarecrow that says Please Excuse Our Mess.

Dallas Zoo pt. 2

Me, Julie & Kay


James & Zach

Zach, James & Julie (I don't have one of James looking at the camera)

Why, yes, I am wearing Mack's backpack.

Dallas Zoo

We went to the Dallas Zoo this past Sat. with Jon's mom, her sister, Dan'l, her daughter-in-law and grandkids and her daughter & granddaughter. Zach, Julie & James were in town, too. Jon & I got a membership & can take a free guest, so if anyone wants to go, let me know! We get discounts for other people, free parking & children under 2 are free.

Jon, Mack, Kay & James & I took the DART out to the zoo, which was fun but in all honesty, it would have been fast for us to drive. One day Dallas will be a cool big city & the trains will be more convenient. For now, we will enjoy our SUV with the (semi) clean interior and safe seating.


Mack petting the Goats.


Checking out the ducks.



Aunt Dan'l bought all the kids a Pony ride. Mack was in the middle of saying, "Weeeeee!"

Rocky Top

My dad is a HUGE Tennessee fan & got Big Mack this UT (the REAL UT) tee.

Sin-a-Man Rolls

Have you ever made The Pioneer Woman's Cinnamon Rolls? You should.

State Fair of Corny Dogs

We finally made it to the State Fair of Texas the week before it closed. It was hot. It was crowded. The jogging stroller got a flat tire while Mack was sleeping in it & it made for a very hard time of pushing it. Luckily, Da-Da has since replaced the inner tube. Mack loved the petting zoo & gave many of the animals kisses (yuck!). We got our one corny dog, saw the Tom Landry exhibit, drooled over the new Chevys & then headed home. I think next year will be more fun because Mack will be a bit older & can enjoy it more.