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!

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

November - Texas Ren Fest

Another couple trips to the Texas Renaissance Festival.   We were able to make the two trips with some good friends, and enjoyed seeing some of the acts that we don't usually get to see.  I always enjoy seeing the costumes and just wandering around.

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. 

The Academy Awards Sonja Style

Happy Birthday to Sonja.  Her birthday party was themed the Academy Awards.  They had movie games and everyone was supposed to dress up as an actor or actress or a character from some movie.  It was very clever and a lot of fun.  There were four categories for costumes and Jon wound up winning 3 of them!  We didn't do so well on the movie quizes though!

Alix and Stephen

Angie as Angelina Jolie

Jon as Superman/Clark Kent

Me and Jon - Drew Berrymore in Ever After and Jon as Superman

Sonja as Kate Hudson

Greg as Indiana Jones

Sonja and Stephen

Jon and his 3 Academy Awards - Most Recognizable, Best Male Costume, and Most Creative

Jon finds extra awards....

Playing around