Journaling my Journey

On a rare "cool" 90 degree Saturday afternoon in August we took a family outing to the golf course. Keller really seems interested in the sport and that is just fine with me! He and Jed did pretty well swingin' the clubs. Me? Of I just drive the cart and take the pics. Every once in awhile I'll hit it but watch out!

Keller's first day of first grade was August 24, 2015. He started a new school this year called Terra Verde. It is a private school that specializes in the "responsive classroom" philosophy and IT IS AWESOME! We are so happy to be part of the TV family and are so excited to see what the next 9 months hold for Keller! Just in case you are wondering why Keller isn't wearing any shoes....well at this school they don't wear shoes inside the classroom and he couldn't wait to kick them off. Literally....he couldn't even wait until after this dang picture. 

Mimi with 7 of her 12 grandkids and all 4 great-grandkids. And finally we get to Christmas Day. This year we spent it at my parents' house in Edmond, and while it is usually a pretty quiet affair with just a few family members and a nice dinner, this year we had an all out party to ring in the holiday. My Aunt Kelli and her family live in Colorado and were in town for the holidays. They had the two most wonderful additions to their family happen in August when they went to Ethiopia to adopt Selah Joy and Greyson Titus, so when they came out at Christmas it was the first time the whole Summers clan got to meet the two kiddos. Oh and what a delight they were! I don't have a long story for this post, I think the pictures and the captions will pretty much sum themselves up! Todd...need I say more... Dad was able to get Mimi out of the nursing home to come celebrate with us and to meet her new grandchildren. In this photo is Mimi with her three kids: Staci, Kelli, T...

Some traditions are just wonderful the way they are and for the better part of 10 years, Jed and I have celebrated Christmas Eve in Pauls Valley with his family and we spend Christmas Day with my family (in the early days in Guthrie, in the later years either in Edmond or Norman). I love the way we break up the holiday and hope we can continue this tradition for many, many years. This year was a hard one because it was the first Christmas we didn't have Mama Lou and her presence was definitely missed; however, her spirit was definitely felt! It was a very low key affair this year and was quite enjoyable because for the first time all three kids, Karis, Keller, and Alayna were old enough to open presents and take part in all of the festivities. No more babies around anymore. The kids are growing up so fast, I have to stop and think to myself for a moment, "Where has the time gone?" I wish I was better at photographing the memories but I tend to get caught up...

One of my favorite traditions that I will always make time for, no matter what , is baking and decorating Christmas cookies. Usually I make homemade sugar cookies but this year I sprung for a store bought mix to save time. I even put all the sprinkles in a mini-muffin tin because it is easier for little fingers to pinch. Luckily, this year our neighbors Aiden and Lillian were able to come over to help (their sister Kelsey wasn't too interested in helping this year). These three had a blast and they stayed hard at work for quite some time. However, Miss Lillian decided she had had quite enough decorating after a couple cookies and just decided it was time to taste test them! Aren't they beautiful? Admittedly, I did do a couple, but the kids did most of the work. Santa is going to be very happy! Can't wait until cookie-decorating time next year!

Man! Christmas was busy this year! Of course, isn't it always?! Usually I am extra busy because at school we are producing an end of the semester play that seems to go live around mid-December. I spend so much time in rehearsal with my students that I seem to miss most holiday parties. Not this year. Unfortunately for my students, we have had a weird early snow season and Lockdown, the play we have been working on has been snowed out TWICE! Now, we must postpone it until after Christmas break. Yay for me though because I was able to participate in some holiday parties! One of our favorites is by far at the Triplett's house. They have an ugly sweater party (as is the trend right now) and I love seeing how tacky we can get. We always have such good times playing drunken Dirty Santa, drinking too much Egg Nog, reminiscing on the year (and years) gone by, and planning for next year! Truly one of my favorite nights of the year! Meg and Torri Jed in his homemade ugly "s...