Why your lens needs a filter

Our poor camera. At least it only got the filter



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Happy birthday cousins

Wishing cousins Lauren and Lily Happy 5th and 3rd birthdays. Pictures soon once I figure the mobile blogpress settings out!

Megan cowboy hat

Megan cowboy hat (1 of 1), originally uploaded by homanhouse.

Just before Christmas, we got out to the Lane's place to visit with longtime friends, and new ones (Megan's buddies, the four year olds!)

Of course I forgot my camera, but Jon was great and got this one. Of course Megan would find a cowboy hat and horse to pose on there. And she made a trip out to chat with the horses too!

Of course I got no pictures of the kids together. Or of any of the grown ups! Next time I'll do better!

Christmas Morning 2010

Christmas Morning 2010 (20 of 24), originally uploaded by homanhouse.

Since we were at a hotel, Santa had to make a few provisions for getting into the hotel room unheard. And that is all the more challenging if you know that Megan's stocking is covered in bells (THANKS Grandma!)

So here are a few of our Christmas day photos from this year! Super exciting since it was Ethan's first Christmas (sweet baby boy) and Megan's five year old Christmas which seems to be a particularly magical one so far! Such an awesome time - we love these kiddos!

Christmas in Uvalde

We made the trek this year to Uvalde to share Christmas with much of my family and extended family. My mom's family has been doing this for over 100 years and it is still amazing to me to see all the family gather and share this special time. This year we were definitely missing a few from our gathering who were quite missed, but I wanted to share some of the photos from those who were able to be there.



























Ethan was one of the more popular toys available to play with. He definitely had the attention of his cousins Allison and Hayley, as well as big sister Megan. He didn't mind that much at all








Here a few of the cousins gather outside





Here is a small collection of the photos

Christmas Program 2010

The kids had their Christmas program, and it was themed a "Country Christmas".  Ethan (being in the youngest class) got to wear his cool bandana as part of their class wardrobe and was paraded around with the other babies to lots of ooohs and aaaahs for their song.  He wore his jammies since the 7PM program actually landed after his bedtime.  He made it through like a trooper though. 

Megan (being in the oldest class) went last and had two class songs.  They sang "Santa looked a lot like Daddy"  which was a bit hysterical really, as well as "A new kid in town" all about baby Jesus.  She practiced for weeks and weeks and we were familiar with these songs long before the program.  Everybody did great and we just wanted to share some of the cute photos!





Christmas Program 2010 (20 of 34), originally uploaded by homanhouse.

Thanks Grandpa!

DSCF1929, originally uploaded by homanhouse.

This weekend, when the family came to visit, Grandpa brought us a new present. Well, actually an old present new to us. My grandmother's grandfather clock. This was always at my house growing up. It has to be wound, and makes great "boing" noises on the hour and half hour. It is one of those precious family keepsakes that we are so glad to add to our home. Here, Megan poses by it in the hall way. Thanks Grandpa!

Two teeth

DSCF1872, originally uploaded by homanhouse.

Got it! Well sort of. I've commented about how I can't seem to get a picture of Ethan's teeth that he has had for THREE MONTHS now. No matter if he is laughing, smiling, crying or sleeping, they just never show. Something about his lip shape or tongue placement or I don't know. It actually took two people, and three tries to get this photo even -- but there are the two teeth plus my fingers. Super cutie pie!

Girly girl

Megan & Ethan (1 of 8), originally uploaded by homanhouse.

You can't quite tell from her expression, but she was having a blast. She has put in the curlers three times since this day. Of course she also proclaims how she now looks like Nana! 5 years old going on the teenage years all too quickly!

Family Weekend

Megan & Ethan (6 of 8), originally uploaded by homanhouse.

This weekend, we got to have a great family weekend. We celebrated Aunt Rosie's birthday along with a belated family celebration of Megan's birthday too! Grandpa, Aunt Rosie, and Uncle Ed came to town. Uncle Doug and Aunt Gina came down to spend the day, as did Cheryl and cousin Madison. My nephew had to work, so we weren't able to celebrate with him, but at least his family made it to share in the family time!

Here is a picture of Grandpa with his three little kids. All grown up I guess.

When Ethan wakes up, Megan is usually the first on the season to help cheer and entertain her little brother. So of course she was teaching Madison just how it was done! She even made Madi follow the "take off your shoes" rule. Better than trying to enforce any stay out of the crib rule anyway.