Hello 2009!

Mia and I ended the year 2008 and started 2009 surrounded by people who love us. Our sweet Daryl has been in Kilgore, Tx (about 4 1/2 hours away) since early Sunday morning. He's out there working on a huge project, and had all his ducks in a row. If two other pieces of the puzzle would have had theirs in a row, he would have been home by Wed...New Years Eve. Well, that didn't happen, and I totally understand, but that doesn't help how much I miss him.

On to the people that have surrounded us with love...I'd like to thank some of the dearest people (and animals) in the world ~ Bonnie, Josh, Ben, Sam, Tallulah and Tucker for having us at their home, hanging with us, feeding us, and just being fabulous friends. Then there's Geni, Kell, Beckah, Noah, Miranda, Natalie, Allie, Garnier and Bill Pickles, who've generously done the same. Then today, the sweetest in-laws in the world had us over. Pawpaw had his little helper for the day and Nana had her little cook. I was able to relax and enjoy my family and some quiet time while Mia was going about her business tending to things that needed tending to.

I know down deep, that I would NOT be ok right now if it wasn't for every single one of those people...and animals.

Life is good. I have proof.

Now, since I've been so relaxed and immersed in the lives of other families, I didn't take many shots at all. None at Bonnie's, none at Geni's, and only four at Nana and Pawpaw's. So, here they are:

Winter Solstice

Even though the Winter Solstice this year was on Sunday morning, there was a Solstice party out on the lake Friday night. The Djembabes played (including a talented and soulful sax player), there was an amazingly beautiful and fluid fire dancer, food, dancing & cavorting, friends and a wonder full presence around. Sherry, my drumming instructor, has such a beautiful way with words, and one of my highlights of the evening was when she paid homage to the Earth, Seasons and Winter Solstice. The neighbors had a slight issue with the noice, but the Westlake police officers were incredibly understanding and kinda wanted to join the party :)

Here's one of my favorite links to explain what Winter Solstice is all about. Now, I need to talk with those Djembabes about back lighting on a dark night! The only decent shots are from when the fire dancers' flames got close :) As usual, there are more shots here.

Our first taste of Hanukkah

As a girl growing up in a South Texas border town, there was a HUGE catholic population. I 'knew of' a couple of Jewish families, but wasn't ever really introduced to Judaism. Until this past Friday when the Simon family hosted a little Hanukkah get together. I regret that I don't have a single shot of Geni...she was busy in the kitchen making latkes (YUM!) from scratch. Mia was entertained by the menagerie of animals...Allie the big kind dog, Garnier and Bill Pickles...guinea pigs, a cat and hamster that I didn't catch the names of. Bonnie, Kel, Geni and Bethany all shared snippets of the culture. I learned about the Maccabean Revolt against the Romans, Menorahs, dreidels, and even Shiksas :) A total crash course that I truly appreciated. Their home was decorated with a little bit of both....a Christmas tree, a Menorah (shaped like a dog), a nativity scene (with a chewed up wise man)....beautiful.

Here are a few of my fav shots...I have many more on Flickr

Jennifer's delish gingerbread dreidel and scotchie cookies

Mia played the piano, with a cat under her feet that she pet with her toes...while playing, Mia even turned the sheet music :)
LOVED Freya's dress and leggings!

one of the coolest hobby horses I've ever seen

Mia LOVED the latkes...with chunky applesauce



Miranda sculpting



here she is eye to eye with an animal...as usual :)

4th, Family & Fireworks

some drive by shootings

The 4th was fun cuz we spent it with family. Joe, Melissa and Gwen had us over along with Nana and Pawpaw.... Melissa's brother, Andy, was there with his wife Kate. I so love them, and it had just been too long. I had such a nice time chatting with Melissa and Kate...nice girl time. Auntie M had a gift for her Mia...her very own djembe!!!! Now when I practice, Mia sits across from me and plays HER djembe. The clean hands rule is still in place, though.

I had my own little gift for my darling neice...Gwen got her own set of play silks. I dyed them last week at a playdate. From the looks of it Gwen was into them.

Gwen with her Mama and Aunt Kate

Melissa and I were able to sit back and relax for a long while thanks to Nana and Pawpaw. They had those girls entertained. Pawpaw gave them a turn around the yard...the whole time he had an Elmo sticker on his knee :)

Daryl took this lovely shot of me

Nana made a cute flag cake that Mia thought was quite yummy

Once again, Mia was the target of a stuffed animal attack. This time she was assaulted by her Auntie M. Mia was in heaven!

Now, that night, the Wells Branch Mud had their own fireworks display. They were close to our house, but not close enough. You can see they were behind a tree. My camera settings were off, but I had a great time taking some fun looking shots :)

*many more shot on my flickr