March - Dad's 25th Wedding Anniversary

Dad and Cindy celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary and decided to share the time with all their friends and family with a Vow Renewal. It was held at one of the plantations and was just a beautiful occasion. Jon, Tristan and I drove in for the celebration and had a wonderful time. The ceremony was beautiful.

Jon and I also celebrated our 3 month anniversary. Cindy had the DJ play our song - Moondance - and had the DJ acknowledge the date for us as well. That evening Cindy, Dad and Grandma Vivian teamed up and watched Tristan while Jon and I went out to dinner to celebrate our anniversary. We had a lovely time on the trip.

Jon, Tristan and Myself

Dad and Cindy

Cindy - Didn't she look lovely?

Dad and Cindy

Grandma Vivian and Tristan

Danielle and Eric

Danny and Elisha

Mandi and Lee

Aunt Barbara, Aunt Gayle and Jennifer

Dad and Cindy dancing

Tristan dressed for the event

March - Saint Patrick's Day

Even with our new little arrival, we could not miss an opportunity to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day.  We decorated, invited friends over, and had a pub quiz.  While we forgot to take photos at the party, we certainly took some photos of Tristan in his several Irish outfits - courtesy of Becca and Target.

Daddy and Tristan

March - Mardi Gras Dinner

Mardi Gras came early this year and with Tristan's arrival we were not able to go New Orleans for our usual visit.  So we decided that this year we would have some friends over for a good cajun dinner.  We made jambalya, dirty rice, etc and had some friends over to share the fun.

We didn't do anything much other than eat and converse, but as always it was an entertaining night.

Richard and Maria

Julie and Rob

Kevin and Jamie

January - Baby Shower Houston

Tavia and Mom teamed up to throw us a baby shower here in Houston.  We had a blast with friends and family here.  It was great the number of people that showed up to grant us good wishes with the baby.  Again, we got some great stuff for Baby Tristan and had fun talking and mingling.  Thank you everyone for your support and thank you Mom and Tavia for all your efforts!

January - Baby Shower in New Orleans

Jon and I went over to New Orleans to visit the family in January.  It was to be our last trip that way before Baby Tristan comes.  Cindy threw a lovely baby shower for us while we were there.  We got to visit with family members, got some lovely gifts for our upcoming little one, and just enjoyed the whole thing.  Thank you Cindy for everything and thank you to the family for all your love and support!

Decemeber - Christmas Day

For Christmas, Uncle Jimmy, Aunt Debbie, Cousin Shannon and her daughter came to visit.  I haven't seen Shannon in years, and never meet her daughter before hand.  It was great to be able to meet more of the family and to spend more time with part of the family that I don't get to see very often.

Jon and I had our own small Christmas at home before we headed over to Mom's house for presents and food.  It was nice to start our own little Christmas traditions and to start figuring out how and when we wanted to do things like open presents, visit family, have Christmas dinner, etc.  And to be able to bring together both our families traditions into ours.

Afterwards we went over to Moms.  Christmas morning was eventful but settled down.  We also celebrated my grandmother's birthday so she did not feel that her birthday was overlooked.  One of the best parts was the excitement she had with her gifts. 

Shaylea

 Sam playing in a wig.  Good Christmas entertainment.

Dinner with the Family - Mom, Sam, Mamaw, Ryan, Uncle Jimmy, Shaylea, Aunt Debbie, Shannon, Me, Jon

Me and Jon

Mamaw blowing out her birthday cake.

November - Becca Visits

Around Thanksgiving time, I was blessed with the presence of my bestest bud who had moved to DC when I left for overseas.  Becca came down to visit her family for the holiday and we had a nice little gathering of friends since we rarely get to see her.  It was fun to catch up and eat.  I got to finally give her her Christmas presents and it was just great to see each other. 

Becca's Scottish Quilt

Becca and myself

Halloween and Ren Fest

Halloween was a busy week for Jon and I.  I started a temp job at the Marriott Hotel that week, so my days were filled with work.  Thursday night before Halloween, we held a Halloween themed Recipe exchange at the house.  The few days before, Jon and I pulled out the Halloween decor to have the house decorated for it.  The exchange turned out pretty well.  We had a good turn out and had mostly pumpkin flavored items.  I made pumpkin soup.  Others brought pumpkin bread, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, muffins, and some other items.

Friday night we had a movie night with friends.  Jon and I rented out the small movie theatre in the apartment complex for the evening.  We watched Arsenic and Old Lace, and were able to bring together some new friends with some old friends.  I think everyone enjoyed the movie.

Saturday was very eventful.  We took off to the Houston Ren Festival to enjoy the music, the decor, the shops, and all.  We dressed up as pirates again and roamed around. 

Afterwards we took off to the church's Trunk or Treat activity where Jon and I ran the judging for costumes, the pie eating contest, the pumpkin carving contest, and the decorating of the trucks.  It was so much fun to see every one dressed up.

Sunday after church, Halloween day, we visited with some friends and passed out candy.  It was nice to relax that evening after all the running around.  Next year though, I think we will need to have the big Halloween party again though.