Christmas Cheer

I sure hope you are having a Merry Christmastime. We have really been enjoying the anticipation of Christmas this year and talking up Jesus's arrival! It's so nice to be able to talk about it every day and Owen is ALL into the season. When he sees anything Christmas related (lights, Santa, wise men), he'll just shout, "Mommy, It's Christmas!!". I love the sheer joy of it.

To catch you up on the happenings of the Dunhams (since that's the name of the blog and all), we have been having fun! Thursday night we went to eat dinner with our old friends (they are not old- they are our age- but our friendship is old- you knew that- come on) who moved to town a few months ago. Sarah and Greer have moved a LOT with his job, so they are apparently experts at it. Their new house is beautiful and immaculate! I was expecting boxes and such, but it is all set up- for Christmas even- and perfect! They have twin 2 year olds and a newborn. And Sarah cooked an amazing dinner for us. I know. A Christmas miracle! I don't know how she does it. The kids had Christmas spaghetti


And played really well together! They did have one toy that caused some distress. It was a strainer and a tennis ball. We don't know where they even got the strainer, but Sarah had to get another one to appease the crowd of children under 3.

This is a faux hug and veiled attempt to get the strainer/ tennis ball by Owen. Not a bad move, if I do say so.

Last time Sarah made an appearance on our blog, she was just moving up here and about 8 months pregnant, so that means that their newest little gal, Abby, was able to join us for this party!

She wasn't quite in a partying mood- being just 3 months old, you know- but she sure is awful cute and a sweet baby!

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Friday night, we went to our annual Sunday School Christmas party and had a BLAST, as usual. No blackmail pictures there- there was too much food being eaten, goofy presents being opened (I got 3 rolls of different neon colored duck- or duct?- tape) and dancing going on. We always have SO much fun.

Tonight, I took my boys to Horshoe Bend to see the Christmas lights. We'd taken Owen last year, but I knew he would really get into it this year. Oh, how I was right. They both loved it! This is a neighborhood across the street from us that has a lot of really tacky well lit houses and people drive through it constantly. They even have a closed circuit radio station that the lights dance to (this is just at the first house) like you've probably seen on you tube. This is the house mid dance, so it doesn't really show all the lights. It's pretty impressive to see in action. At the same first house, they have a life sized Santa, sleigh and reindeer. You can't really see them from this shot below, but you can see the outline. Owen has been obsessed with reindeer lately and even asked, oh, maybe a dozen times today if he could see reindeer. So, after our 3rd trip around this loop, I stopped the car and got out with him to go see the (large and kind of scary looking plastic) reindeer. He petted them, talked to them, waved at Santa (whose hand was magically waving to us like a metronome) and started to walk away. Then he asked if he could go back for one more hug. It was so sweet.

We are going to Santa's Village on Friday night with some friends and they have live deer there that you can pet and feed, so I know he is going to get excited about that.

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My Christmas shopping is almost done. As I was cleaning the toy room today, I was short an "N" in this train, but it somehow rang familiar with the thought of Christmas shopping and this time of year.

Now, we have (or had) a budget (smudget), but it somehow always gets blown to smitherines. I wrapped for about 2 hours today while the kids were napping and I really do forget what all I've bought! And I DO have a list. Please don't suggest such if you are the super duper planner/ organizer who doesn't go over their Christmas budget. Maybe next year. Anybody feel my pain?

I hope you are getting into the Christmas spirit! It's hard not to with little ones around. I thought when we had Owen that Christmas would be super fun and I didn't realize that it wouldn't be until his FOURTH Christmas that we could all really be fascinated and see it through his eyes. I'm trying to enjoy every minute of it.

Laura's Wedding

I think that you're supposed to title things about a wedding as belonging to the bride and the groom, but who are we kidding? And especially since the bride is one of my very best friends- it's her wedding. But she did marry a wonderful man named Chris- so in case his family is reading this- it can be "Laura and Chris's Wedding".

Back to Laura's wedding. Laura is one my closest friends from high school. She's bright, funny, thoughtful- and I should mention an event planner- so I knew this was going to be good! Laura has lived out in Austin for 7-8 years and that's where she met Chris, so that's where they got married. She works for a minor league baseball team- the Round Rock Express- and he is a chef. He used to work there and that's where they met. Fun, huh? Almost as fun as our Space Camp love... but that's another post.

So, Jason and I flew in Thursday and we got to have dinner with our dear friends Jeff and Janet and their little boy Noah! It was our first time to meet their almost 2 year old and he is a DOLL! I can NOT believe I didn't get any pictures, but they are all super adorable and just wonderful friends, so fill in your own mental image here.

Friday during the day, we had a non-bridesmaid (Laura didn't have bridesmaids, but we were classified as non-bridesmaids) luncheon/ pottery painting party. Laura picked us up from the hotel in the Round Rock Express huge van and drove us all to the pottery place.

Not just a bride, but a large motor vehicle operator, too!

Not everyone was in town, yet, but all of us who were there had so much fun! We all painted Christmas ornaments for Laura and Chris and I think that is the BEST idea! I hope they turn out great and Laura promised to send us pictures after they've "cooked".

Then Friday night we had the after- rehearsal fiesta at the baseball stadium- where Laura still works.

Me and Jason by a Round Rock- is it "the" Round Rock? I don't know- but that's Dell Diamond behind us.

As you might gather, this was a Mexican themed dinner and it was delicious. I mean lip smacking, knock your mamma good. I went back for 2 plates. And I was full after 1. Really.

There was a live Mariachi band and singers, slideshows, speeches. It was awesome.

Rachel, Laura and me

Then when we got home we decided to all go hit the town. Helloooo 6th street! Austin is the live music capital of the world, so it was great fun! Always something to do!

On Saturday, Jason and Jeff (our friend mentioned earlier- one of Jason's best friends from high school) went on a self-proclaimed "play date". They went and watched English football-soccer- live at a pub that specializes in such things. They had a burrito and Guiness beer for breakfast. That's right. Go ahead and gag- I did. They loved it.

I went with the girls (who were all in town at this point) to one of the best BBQ places I've ever eaten and it was just down the street. Thankfully we walked... or rolled... back to the hotel in time to get dressed for the wedding.

So, the buses left at 2:30/ 3:00 for the 4:00 wedding. Why? Well, Laura picked a church that they fell in love with out in the country. It is so beautiful and you can see how they love it. It's amazing. The inside was beautiful, but the architecture is divine and there is nothing around for miles except fields and cows. It makes it all the more breathtaking!

The wedding was wonderful. The pastor was Laura's childhood pastor from Dothan and Laura was the first child he'd baptised at their church in Dothan. When he left when she was 7 or 8, Laura told him he would have to marry her. It all finally came full circle! Is that not the best story?

AND, if you think that is good, Laura had a GOSPEL CHOIR at the wedding! Talk about chill bumps! They brought down the house. It was so amazing. Please have one if you are getting married soon. You will NOT regret it. I wanted a harp, but I should have gone with a gospel choir.

After the wedding was over and they were officially hitched, we all slowly tricked out of the church and meandered around waiting for the buses and taking pictures.

My girls: Sarah, me, Rachel and Meg- so proud of our bride!

Then word started spreading that Nolan Ryan was there. Now, he owns the team that Laura works for, I knew he'd been invited and she is good friends with the family, but last I'd heard, he hadn't RSVPd. We all started looking...

And there he was!

We didn't want to be all up in his face and dorky, so we let it ride...

until the reception!
He was there, too, and as soon as I saw him talking to Laura I told Jason to make a run for it. And he did. He totally used my dear friend (and his, too,) to smooze up to Nolan Ryan. And he loved it. He shook his hand and chatted briefly. He even came back to the table and updated his facebook status from his iPhone to, "Jason just shook hands with Nolan Ryan". I'm sure Laura didn't mind at all- and I was so happy for him! But I was still too cool to go get a picture of him shaking hands, so you'll just have to believe me.

Back to the reception- the little details were over the top. Laura's family has a beach house in Panama City Beach and the sand that held the candles on the table was from there. The candles and sand were in jars that the family had all collected. And the flowers on the table were floating gardenias- her favorite because her grandmother had those outside her house. Laura's brothers sang and played the guitar for their first dance. And all the guests got a CD of the couples favorite music- it's terrific. And there was a mashed potato bar after you got done with all the "real" food. Need I tell you more or do you already love her, too? The Happy Couple!

Laura and Me (note that the Texas air had reaked havoc on my well-styled hair- oh well- Laura's hair was beautful and held up all night, so I guess that's what matters!) What a radiant bride!

Of course the band played Sweet Home Alabama, lots of Beatles music, which made Jason happy, and there were plenty of drinks, toasts and champagne. It all ended with a sparkler send-off and the happy couple on the way to Mexico. I will admit that I was day dreaming of a honeymoon in Mexico a couple of times, but was just as thrilled to get back home to my boys.

They had a great time with Jason's parents and even went to see electric trains at a friend's house on Saturday. They said Owen didn't stop jumping up and down. I can't wait to see him on Christmas morning...hint, hint.

So, thanks for indulging in my super long, picture filled post. I hope you had a great weekend, too, and I've got a fun treat with wedding pictures as soon as I can get a couple old ones scanned in.

Laura's little extra touches were clearly from someone who is a professional and has been to a lot of weddings. What are your favorite wedding details? I have to admit that the CD is the best gift ever! I've played it several times already. My cousin Marcus and his wife Holly had a jar of pear jelly bellys as you walked into their reception that had "The Perfect Pear" on the jar. that was adorable and hit the spot before the meal! I loved that, too!

Leave your cool ideas in the comments section.

Henry's First Date

Alright, fine. PLAY date.

One of my dearest friends from high school, Sarah, and her family are moving to Huntsville! They are in between Birmingham and Huntsville right now waiting for their house to sell. Sarah's husband Greer is up here in a furnished apartment already working. And Sarah is 8 months pregnant. Oh, and did I mention she has twins who are turning 2 this week? So, if you think you've got concerns, just think of that situation. And Sarah is just taking it all in stride, as usual.

So, Sarah and her twins, M and SB, were in Huntsville last week looking for some fun and we were happy to help! Ollie was at pre-school, so Henry, Cooper {our babysitter- who is now invaluable and I can't go anywhere without} and I met them at Chic-fil-A and then they came over to our house to play. I think this was Henry's first official play date. And, of course, we played in the playroom and Ollie's room and found all kinds of toys that we haven't touched in a while that they all loved. And they loved our dogs, too. I offered them to Sarah, but she didn't take them... Hmmm. Wonder why?

Here are some pictures from our "date":

SBMHenry getting a little lovin'. Wait- maybe this was a date after all...

Me and Sarah

I would a picture up here from high school if I could find one. Just know that we look exactly the same. Yeah right. :-)