A few add-ins from '09

Forgot a couple of MAJOR 2009 events...

In late September, my cousin, Jeff, and his wife, Jen, had twin boys.
Below, JD and Travis are pictured with their great-grandad (my grandad, Harvy).
These are the only great grandkids on mom's side
of the family besides my three.

And, my big girl got braces in October.
I cannot believe the transformation in her mouth...
and, she's only had them on for 2.5 months!
Can you tell her rubber bands are pink and black?!?
She said they were "fashionable colors!"

A YEAR IN REVIEW: 2009 January Highlights

As most of you readers know, we lost Erick's dad on January 17th of 2009. Other than funeral plans, comforting family, making decisions at the funeral home, not much went on this month. Wonderful friends, family, associates and even strangers reached out to us and comforted us in ways we had never experienced before. We will be forever grateful for all the love shown to us.

This is the flower arrangement Natalie, Will and Spencer got for their Papa. They miss him so, but we try to talk about Papa often, and pictures of him are all about our house. Please keep us all in your prayers as we approach the one year anniversary of Harry's passing.

2009 February Highlights

February was pretty uneventful for us...probably because our January had been so hard and draining. Erick and I decided to continue on with our plans to head with friends to Beaver Creek for a long weekend. We had such fun, skiing, snowmobiling, snuggling and socializing!

2009 March Highlights

In March, me and the college roomies did our annual weekend get-away! We stayed close and enjoyed the sights, sounds and food of Big D! This is us out sailing on Lake Grapevine!

Spring Break week...mama's gotta stay sane, so we did little outings most days. This was a venture out to the Heard Natural Wildlife Museum and Reserve in McKinney.

And, at the beginning of March, Erick and I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary! I'm pretty sure we went to Del Frisco's to celebrate!

2009 April Highlights

In April, we celebrated Erick's 34th birthday. His mom gave him a Big Green Egg for his present! This was his most favorite gift ever! If you don't know anything about Big Green Eggs, you MUST google them!

Easter Sunday!
Don't know just how many more years I'll get out of the kids when it comes to coordinating their outfits. :(
But they sure do look cute this year!!

My buddy Will turned 5 with a party with his friends at Main Event. They bowled, ate and got to play all sorts of games! So much fun!

2009 May Highlights

Swim party for the PIRANHAS!
Coach Mida and Coach Martin hosted a swim party for the team to end up the season!
These boys are some awesome soccer players!

Spring LDC Dance Recital!
Natalie performed a hip hop routine to "I Don't Dance!"
She was fabulous!
She is looking forward to trying out a few other types of dance in the next year.

2009 June Highlights

Will's last day of PK4 with Mrs. Norman!
What an angel of a teacher she was and is!
She loved my Will like he was her own!

Natalie's last day of 1st grade with the most awesome teacher ever...Mrs. Frazier!
Wow!
First grade was a phenomenal year for Nat and we owe it all to you, Mrs. F!!

2009 July Highlights

In July, we celebrated my mom's 65th birthday with a surprise party at our house!
Trini (as she is called by the kids) had a little help getting her candles blown out!

2009 August Highlights

First day of school!
Natalie is in 2nd grade this year and her teacher's name is Mrs. Walsh!

Will is in the K5 program this year (a precursor to the kinder year). His teacher is Mrs. Brown and he adores her!

Walking in together (I forced them to hold hands so I could ge this great shot)!! :)

Natalie had her 8th birthday party...a "no boys allowed, invite 12 girls, overnight slumber party!" Whoo! It was crazy, but Natalie thoroughly enjoyed it!

2009 September Highlights

A September trip to NYC to see good friends and enjoy some "kid free" hours!

Central Park beauty!

Where we stayed...the W in Times Square...kinda loud and busy!

Spencer started his 2 day a week preschool at our church preschool.
I had to grab one last hug!

Posin' on the porch, ready to go!
(and Spencer is wearing the very same outfit Will wore
on his first day of preschool a few years ago)

2009 October Highlights (#1)

We got to celebrate my m-i-l, Janet's birthday at the House of Blues Gospel Brunch!
What a riot! Fabulous time with great entertainment and food!
Jason got to fly in for the weekend...I'm sure the best treat of all for Janet!

2009 Hallooween Costumes....

Spencer was a dear, tired monkey!

"The Flash" for my fast runnin' boy!

And sweet Natalie was a DCC! She was rockin' that look and lovin' it!

2009 October Highlights (#2)

U2 concert at the new Cowboys stadium!! Wonderful!

Bono is Erick's favorite human (other than me, of course)!

Spencer turned 2! Fastest two years of my life so far!

Spencer's party theme was "car cars" (that's how he would say it). :)
He loves him some good cake!

Look at my handsome 2 year old!

And, Will started playing baseball for the FBSA in October
(supposed to start in September, but there was so much rain).
He is on the Angels...how fitting!!!
His favorite thing to do is run the bases!

2009 November Highlights

Turkey Trot!
Erick, Natalie and Will completed the 5k on Thanksgiving Day.
So proud of them!

ICE exhibit at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine...Who-ville fun!
We thought Spencer would get too cold, so we just took the older two.
Next year, Spence!

Freeeeeezzzzing!!!

2009 December Highlights

SNOW!
We actually had snow on Christmas Day!
Natalie and Will enjoyed freezing themselves having
snowball fights and making snow angels.

Will was one of the three wisemen in his school's nativity presentation.
He was so nervous, bless his heart!

Natalie and the other 2nd graders put on a wonderful Christmas musical!
Sister loves to perform!

Sugar Plum Fairy Tea with friends! Pretty girls!

I'm back!

Well, now that I'm sure I'm down to two regular readers or so, I have decided to blog again.

2009 was a crazy, busy year! I think I was just in a funk after Harry passed about a year ago and I never really could get up the "energy" to blog about anything. I did update Facebook some, so I feel good about that. But, it is time for me to start blogging again. I am planning a "catch up" blog to quickly & efficiently inform everyone of the Midas' 2009, but that will come in a day or two.

In the meantime, happy 2010 from us! As Erick and I toasted the new year last night, we wished and prayed for health, blessings, joy and contentment in the 12 months ahead. We wish the same for all of you, too!