Christmas break 2010 part 4

Just wanted to post some last pictures from during the week after Christmas. first few pics are from a guys night that the bros and in laws from the Brown family had at Kelli and Shaun's house. it was more just an xbox night while me, kelli, and sarah provided the food haha.

i'm sure you've noticed a trend by now that every time we were at kelli and shaun's house, somehow sam always ended up in his swim suit earlier than everyone else... either he just likes having less clothes on or he really liked their jacuzzi in the backyard. not quite sure. lol:

The next day, We drove up to spend a few days with Sam's dad and Patricia in Conroe. While we were up there his dad said he needed to do a little work on the ranch one day and of course, Sam couldn't be happier to help. He called up his good friend Jared to come join us that day doin all sorts of "manly" fun stuff there on the ranch.

They started off the morning by cutting down 2 huge trees that were dead.. it was actually pretty cool to watch.. this was right after they were done with the second one:

I spy Max. hehe... he was watchin' the show from the mule:

Then it was time to saddle up the horses so we could go round up all the cattle:

I was on a mule, Dad R. was driving the ranger, and Sam and Jared were on horses. It was so hilarious trying to herd all the cattle into the right pen. and I will just say that it is a lot trickier than it looks lol:

Separating the younger from the older ones:

tagging and castrating the new babies hehe:

aaand finally getting them back to the right pasture.. we had so much fun that day even though most of it was work. Sam especially loved it.. made him want a ranch of his own some day:

The next afternoon we did a little golfing up near Dad R.'s house.. here i am with my chubby little belly about to take a swing lol:

Thanks Dad R. for everything! we really had a lot of fun.. it was a great way to end our Christmas vacation. :)

Christmas break 2010 part 3

Family Pictures!!! While we were at the ranch, we were sure to get some good pictures of the entire fam- something that hasn't happened it about 5 years or so. let's just say with 18 lil kids on our hands, it was quite the challenge.. but I think they actually turned out pretty good! (Thanks Patricia!)

my studly husband:

Christmas break 2010 part 2

Continuing on with events, we spent the next few days with my family for our "reunion" and everything seemed to turn out great! the day after Christmas we met at my parents house for an awesome steak dinner and gift exchange between siblings and cousins.. I only have a couple pics from that evening as things were pretty hectic with so many people everywhere, but it was fun for us to finally all be in one place at the same time...

Sam's dad was gracious enough to let my whole entire family meet up at his ranch the next day for some fun activities. it was nice having a place big enough for all the kids to run around and what not. Thanks Dad R.! and thanks Mom and Dad Brown for all the delicious meals! i'll just let the pictures describe the day...

brought max along.. pretty sure he was in heaven with all the freedom to roam around the ranch house and horses and what not:
getting the horses ready to ride. madelyn is gonna go bare-back. hehe:

hanging out at the arena while all the kids rode the horses:
haha love this pic. michael doesn't look too happy:

fishing! they caught so many that day. here is Kali with her catch.. and Justin, Kristin's oldest, even caught a huuge catfish! reeled it in himself! (next pic):

Valerie, Sam, and Mark riding around the lake:

Max, meet Tex. Tex, meet max. hehe:

takin' the kids for a ride in the ranger. soo fun! it got a little chilly towards the end tho, hence the lil red noses haha:

These next set of pictures are from a few days later when we met up again at Kelli and Shaun's (the new party house for our family hehe) for New Year's Eve. The evening consisted of chips and some amazing guacamole, the games Things and Party Farkel, luke-warm hot tubbing, aaand a few too many jokes about balls. we will just leave it at that.
Sam was all ready for the hot tub. not sure it was EVER ready for all of us tho.. lol:

Kristin was able to join in on our party from California thru FaceTime. love it. I guess Sam felt bad she was at home alone and thought she needed a show... yes... that is my, er thoughtful?, husband.....
Happy New Year's from Texas:

Christmas break 2010 part 1

This year for the break, after sam went snowboarding a few times with his bros in Utah (sorry, no pics) we headed down to Houston for a couple weeks. This was an especially fun year because every one of my brothers and sisters came into town which hasn't happened in who knows how long! anyways, it was so fun to finally see everyone and spend time together! there are a lot of pics(some stolen from my sisters' posts, thanks guys!) so i will just jump right into it!

couple days before christmas, met up with some of my bros and sisters at the mall for some ice skating, lunch, and some last minute shopping:

the siblings:

Christmas Eve we spent with Sam's mom and sisters but I wasn't able to get any pics from the evening.. here are a few from Christmas morning with Sam's mom.. it was a nice, relaxing and quiet morning. we loved it:

Later that day we headed over to Kelli's house for games and what not. Max had been staying at my parents so they brought him along when they came:
festive Max:

New toys! thanks mema and aunt kelli for the fun stuff:
a little Christmas day hot-tubbing for the boys:
sweet sophia with her daddy:

typical conversation with Alexa:

Me: Alexa, what should we name the baby girl in my tummy?

Alexa (5 yrs old): Angelina! orrrrrrrrrrrrrr hmmm.. Rose... no.. Rosetta!

Me: wow those are some good ideas. What else?

Alexa: ohhh gosh, i dont know! There are just so many pretty ones! (word for word haa)

-She then went on to suggest January, or February, or pickles, or toungue. lol i think she started losing focus.. she is the biggest crack up.

yeah.......we must be related:

finally got one with abigail. i dont think she likes cameras very much bc i couldnt convince her to take a single one after this, lol:
The rest of the evening was spent playing games with Kelli, Shaun, Eric, and Sarah.. oh and eating Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner! it was an awesome way to end Christmas day! :)