Christmastime is Here

The mil10 Christmas tree has been up since Veterans Day weekend. It has been a tradition for eleven years now to put it up early. Originally, we did this so we wouldn't have to put up the tree at the same time that EK was due. We put up the tree early that year and have done so ever since.

Although the tree has been up, it never looked fully finished. It was missing one thing. The presents! Today we wrapped all of the presents that we bought on Black Friday. mr. mil10 wrapped the gifts in paper. mrs. mil10 glued on all of the bows. Now the presents sit under the tree waiting to be given away.

Once all of the gifts have been passed out, the tree will look funny again.

Spring is Here

Any Texan knows that it really isn't spring until you can stop and take your child's pictures in the bluebonnets.  After this week's torrential rain, there won't be much time before the state flower is overrun with weeds and other wildflowers.  We didn't pass on tonight's opportunity to take pictures.

As you know, for the mil10s taking pictures in the bluebonnets can be quite an experience!  Unusually there are tears, a loss of patience, use of threatening and bribing and other less than desirable activities involved when we take pictures.  All in all, however, it is a great opportunity for making memories.  Take a walk down memory lane and you will have a perspective why we even shared the pictures below.

"Oh, the sun!"

"Cheese!"

"Open you eyes when I count to three."  At least he was smiling.

"Can we stop now?"

This picture really captures how EK was really trying to pose well, smile for, and look at the camera.  He really was trying.

Perhaps if I zoom out further, no one will notice that EK's eyes are closed.  Perhaps not!

No tears here!

 This one is a keeper!

This one is nice!

After loading back into the car, EK quickly proclaimed that this is one tradition that he will not continue with his family.  He insisted that traditions should be something that the entire family enjoys.  "We will do stuff like Waffle Wednesdays and Fajita Fridays," he said! Fajita Fridays?  Hmmm.  He may be on to something!

Trotting with the Turkeys

This Thanksgiving the mil10s participated in the largest Thanksgiving Day event of its kind in the country.  The 44th Annual Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot draws nearly 40,000 participants each year.  mr. mil10, mrs.  mil10, and EK were among the many that participated in the turkey day tradition.  Unfortunately Modie took ill and couldn't join us in the day's festivities. 

Lots of port-a-potties for lots of racers!

When we left Home Town, Texas, the visibility was 0.  

It wasn't much better in Dallas when we arrived.

 The pre-race activities took place in front of Dallas City Hall.

Many people got ready...

...by donning a turkey costume...

...in order to set a new Guinness World Record 

for the most people dressed as turkeys at an organized event. 

 

 Ready to race!

There were many unusual hats!  It was hard to take their picture without being obvious.

On you mark, get set, go! 

 As you can see, the fog didn't burn off as much as they expected.  

The unusual weather did provide many unique views of downtown Dallas.

Looking up into the fog.

After the race EK and mr. mil10 fought through the crowds of people 

to pick up a few post-race snacks.

Our next stop after the race was Highland Park Cafeteria for Thanksgiving lunch.  We were greeted by an employee serving their popular zucchini muffins to patrons as they waited in a line that extended out of the building and around the corner.  Although mr. mil10 jokingly (and somewhat seriously) expected to be dining with a bunch of sad and lonely people, the restaurant was filled to near-capacity with families of all types.  The couple waiting behind us in line drove from Tyler, Texas to eat their annual Thanksgiving meal at HPC. Compared to everyone else, the mil10s were considerably underdressed as we were still wearing our race apparel.  However, we were not alone as we spotted at least three other Turkey Trotters dining at HPC as well.

We had a great Thanksgiving!  We will probably trot again.  We will probably eat at Highland Park Cafeteria again.  We will definitely continue to be thankful for all of the blessings God has given to us!

Ten Years Old

2001 

2011

It is hard to believe that our boy is now in the double digits!  Yesterday, he officially became a ten year old.  Everyone always said to enjoy the time you have because it will pass by quickly.  Boy, were they right!  Time has definitely flown by.

Happy birthday, EK!

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"Too bad there hasn't been an #nba season. I kinda miss cheering for the #mavs!"

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"243 Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes packed and ready to ship! #SamaratinsPurse"

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Tuesday Night Lights

It is Tuesday tennis practice at Hometown High School. EK wasn't too excited when he found out that his team would be wearing purple shirts.

Fireworks

For the Fourth of July Hometown, Texas put on a nice firework display.  Everyone drove to the park or to the nearby Lowe's parking lot to watch the display.  We opted for the parking lot.

Waiting for the sun to set.

Auntie Em and Baby B found us in the parking lot and came by for a quick pose in front of the camera.  Could that me a Peru shirt she is sporting?  She says even though it was questionable to represent another country on "our birthday," she had to wear it since she had already worn all of her patriotic clothes and it was the only thing she had left that was red.

Playing with my camera settings in the dark, I was not totally sure what setting I was using and I wasn't sure if any of the pictures would look very good.  Over the course of the show I used about fours settings.  About three of those settings were used accidentally.

Of the 99 pictures I took that night, many were either not in focus or caught the firework explosion too late or too early. Anyway, these were the best.

Happy birthday, America!

All in all, we were quite impressed with the display!

Firefighter Night

Tonight the local Chick-fil-A was having it's weekly children's night. There is always the "buy an adult and the kid's meal is free" promotion. Sometimes there is a craft, snack, or other activity for the kids.

Tonight was firefighter night. The hometown fire department was there to show off the truck. It was fun to look over the truck and see all of the supplies they use when fighting fires. Somehow mr. mil10 managed to manage to hold his to-go cup with one hand and the cell phone in order to capture a few photos. He passed the opportunity to take a picture of the package of Marlboros that were under the driver's seat.

Pictures from the County Fair

More to come later...