Green Summer

This year we are thankful to be having lots of rain which is keeping the yard green.  Last year we had no rain all summer and we lost our big oak tree.

I planted a few sunflower seeds in our little veggie garden and they popped up quickly.

We also have a pumpkin vine growing like a weed.  Last year I put out our pumpkin after Halloween and it self seeded.  We have already had one little pumpkin but our beagle Molly ate it!  Maybe we'll have some more by Halloween this year and not have to buy one.

Also have some flowers in pots in the front.

Including this hydrangea, I think this is the third time I've tried growing a hydrangea but the only time it has survived.  I thought by keeping it in a pot I will remember to water it.  So far so good.  It just had the first flower this week, it is a pretty pale pink.

Azaleas

These azaleas were amazing this year, they must have loved the hot dry summer and fall we had, followed by a wet winter.

We had some pretty azaleas at out old house too, so let's turn back time a little, here is 2005:

and 2007

Bluebonnets and Strawberries

Finding some bluebonnets is a yearly tradition for us.

These pictures were taken 6 years ago:

And this year:



And another flashback - berry picking 2004:

And all grown up:

Gone Fishing

Thomas turned 7 on Friday, this morning we took him down to the river and he tried his new fishing rod for the first time.  Did not catch a fish but he got the hang of throwing the lure out in the water and reeling it in.  We saw some snakes swimming.

Just 1 1/2 more weeks of school!

Snow, again! and decorating for Christmas

This is the 2nd year in a row we've had snow in the Houston area in early December. See this post from last year.

The kids in my class were so excited this morning. The first 3 pictures are from outside my classroom.

our garden outside my classroom

The kids school released the kids a little early today, so we came home and the rain had washed away a lot of the snow, but then it snowed some more and they got to go outside and play for about an hour or so until their hands got too cold - we really need to get some waterproof gloves to prepare for another possible snow next year!

snow on the roof and some of the plants

the picture to put on the blog for family in NZ to see, say cheese!

with the neighbor friends

I stayed warm the rest of the afternoon and watched the snow from inside! It's supposed to get in the 20s here tonight - so the pets are in - Ally the cat in the house and Molly the dog in the garage.




And some more 'Christmas' pictures to share - some of the decorations in the house.

I took these pictures the other night while Chris and the kids were out, and so the house was clean and quiet, but the night lighting was not the best for taking pictures.

I love these glittery green snowflakes from Target.

a couple of my favorite ornaments, the Starbucks cup, and a 'baby's first Christmas' one that I got when Thomas was a baby

a couple of pictures from past Christmas', and one of my owl ornaments

So, it looks like we're ready for Christmas, but I have barely done any shopping, this weekend at least I need to get a few things for the family in New Zealand and get that in the mail on Monday!

Counting down 2 more weeks of school for me and the kids.