The rest of 2015 in pictures

I'm back! From my trip that is. I've actually been back since Tuesday night, but I didn't blog. That's just it. We had a fun trip and saw lots of things, bought lots of things, and covered lots of miles. I'll be posting about it later. But for now, I'm gonna finish what I started a while ago. 

It begins as I started it back then....

I never meant to be gone this long since I finished the last blog post, but lots has happened since then. While I've been working on this post, and in an ironic twist, I'll be leaving Thursday to drive to Dallas to jet off to Washington DC during my winter break. My 2016 travels begin! It's a first for me and Carrie, who will be going also. I'm equal parts excited and nervous. Added to the nervousness of flying is renting and successfully picking up a car. My stress level about that one thing is off the charts. I'm so serious. I hate getting ripped off and pray that doesn't happen.  

In the meantime people have been coming and going here from out of town and I decided to use that for why I haven't been blogging. It's what's for excuses today. 

Lets get started on the rest of 2015... 

November 5-8 Was a girls' trip to Corsicana for some finish work on the b room as well as some clean up outside in anticipation of a wedding. Melanie, Olivia and I met Becky and Carrie on a Thursday to get busy. Having been on two girls' trips, Olivia is now an honorary member...she comes in quite handy sometimes.  

On the trip over we saw many Blue Bell trucks along the way. It was very exciting!

This past Fall may have been one of the rainiest seasons in Corsicana in as long as I can remember, and on our first night there, it came a crazy rain that caused us to be concerned about ourselves. It ended up with rushing rapids on the roads. Scroll down and we shall see.

This is us checking out the flooding street in front of the house. 

In the midst of a lightening flash, we were able to get a look at the road in front of the house.

The road was completely covered in flooding water. 

Out in the pasture, it looked like this.

Thank the Lord we survived the night. The next morning revealed the water had receded quite a lot. 

That's Beba's foot. I could have taken this pic out, but for some reason I like it. 

That's Beba taking a walk out in the big pasture. I also love this picture.

Meanwhile, back at home, William had taken over at Kit Kat's work place. And they were all the better for it. 

In Corsicana storm clouds continued to threaten. 

Beba and I rode around to see what had transpired around the county.

Debris but not too bad here. 

I saw this sign and did not believe it. So we went to have a look. 

Still did not believe. 

I decided to walk across and see if it was true. 

And in fact they were completely correct.

The bridge....

Was so way out.

Back at the farm, the sun was setting, making for a lovely scene. 

A very lovely one. 

But that wasn't the end of the trip.

Lovely....thanks Beba.

This may or may not have been mine.

There were some lovely cloudy clouds.

One more.

We found the best Christmas wrap ever at the tractor store. That store is amazing. 

Hank was ready for some snack time.

Becky, Melanie and Carrie finished the reno on the bathroom.

Tile work and all were done by them. I did nothing. 

And then it was time to go home, so we could come back. The turn around time for these trips was minimal at best. But that's OK, I love to go to Corsicana. 

November 19-22 found us back in Corsicana where we ALL went for the wedding of Whitney and David. It was a mass undertaking of people and cars and coordination of hotels and cars and food and cars and it all happened with very few hitches. There were kids and adults and hamburgers and flies and wind and fun and epic fires and a Christmas tree in the middle of downtown....again.

Christmas tree in the downtown. I do not lie. 

While we were all driving about to get to Texas, Emma was flying out to get to Texas. 

And I was keeping up with her on my phone. 

Vera came with her stylish and fabulous colored pjs.

Becky and Keith, who ironically were in Washington, were on their way home as well.

I'm not sure at all what her beef was. And look! Even Addy came to the wedding. 

Lucas came to town and wanted to see the chickens. 

Then he had some work to do on the farm. Never too young to get them started.

Gee took him to see Hank and feed him some treats. Just clarifying...Hank ate the horse treats, not Lucas. I contend that in a pinch, you could crumble up the apple/oat treats, add milk and voila! Breakfast with a good amount of fiber. 

Gee had James all a giggle for the upside down thrill seeking child. 

William was being cute.

And so was James. 

As was Vera. So fun to have so many kids around!

We had bouquets of flowers to make.

The boys had sleep to find.

And a hairbrush.

Wedding day began with a trip to Collin Street Bakery. 

I mean, when in Corsicana, you gotta go!

The ring bearer was a little under the weather that morning. 

And Lucas found a comfy place to sit. It ALWAYS amazes me that Addy is so good with children. 

The little ones had some time to kill and did so with some toons on the DVD player.  

James seemed very intent. 

Sweet cuzzies. 

We had the flowers finished and ready to go.

William woke the girls up...it's become a tradition. 

James decided to join the party.

One more.

OK, two more. 

The bride was excited along with her sissy.

Waiting to get dressed.

This is a first for this house, a bride getting ready here.

Looking beautiful.

Now ready to wait some more.

Roomies and cuzzies. 

Eating food in a wedding dress is frightening. 

But she did it anyway!

We were all gathering and waiting for the big moment. 

Bouquets were ready.

Owen's head was still record breaking huge. 

William and Car Car looking cute together. 

Jimmy James' head is not as big as Owen's. 

Vera seemed unsure of the crazy lady she was taking a picture with. 

William took this photo of Beba getting her makeup on. 

James's happy place.

Mom's as well.

Emma looked all Washingtonian. 

People were beginning to arrive.

William was waiting for his 1000th ring bearer debut. 

The setting was ready. 

The flowers were ready. 

I got someone to take a pic of us with normal hair. 

In this picture my hair reveals it was windy. 

William was practicing with his cowboy hat. 

It was almost time to do his job. 

Never been a cuter cowboy.

And then it was time for photo taking and getting married. 

And they did.

It was a blue sky, beautiful, windy, cold day where the farm was transformed into a lovely venue for a gorgeous wedding. And a fun time was had by all! I decided to stop here and do a separate wedding post....later of course.  

December 8-13 Melanie, Carrie and I flew to meet Becky in New York City. Melanie and I drove to Dallas on a Tuesday night and the three of us flew out the next morning for MY first ever sighting of New York City! At Christmas time! I hope it wan't a once in a lifetime trip, because I'd love to go back, but I have so many places to go and see! It was an exhaustingly great and fun trip I shall never forget. 

First Ever.

Tiffany and Co. all dressed up in its finery for the holiday. 

Jimmy Choo shoes. Different from Jimmy choo choo shoes. 

St. Patrick's Cathedral. They were having mass and it was all very lovely. The Catholics are singing contemporary Christian songs. Who knew? I did not. 

Rockefeller Center with its Christmas tree. So pretty. 

Center selfie!

Super weird window decos at Sax or some other place. Not Christmasy at all.

Rode the subway...all in all it was a pleasant experience.

And then the magic happened. I saw the Statue of Liberty in person for the very first time in my life. It was life changing for me because she was, is and always will be, fabulous.  

Us with Manhattan in the background. 

It's the best statue ever. 

Even when it looks like she's coming out of the top of my head.

Non selfie stick owning people are happy to take another's non selfie stick owning person's picture. Us non selfie stick people have to "stick" together. I didn't even mean to do that. 

After we left Libby we walked to Wall Street to take this ridiculous picture of us with the bull on the street.

This is me on the subway after an exhausting day. 

Emma came from DC to join us.

We went to the top of the Empire State Building. 

We saw the arch in Washington Square park.

We saw the Plaza.

And Central Park.

And then it was time to go home.

Back to Dallas and then Louisiana.

I had a really really great time. I'm so glad I went and survived. All four of us flew back together on the same plane. As I told them before we did, the royal family DOES NOT travel together, so why did we?! It was a sketchy decision....even though nothing happened thank the Lord. Was the worry and concern worth it? I'd prefer not to answer that. 

December 17-20 Caitlin, Olivia and I went back to Dallas to pick Emma up for the holidays and do some shopping. I got home from the New York/Dallas trip on a Sunday night, just to turn around and go back on a Thursday night. But it was worth it to be with my girls and pick Emma up as well. We shopped and ate and finished our Christmas buying. My wallet was wheezing by the end of it all.

One of these is Caitlin and one is Olivia. Wonder which is which.

One of these cares about picking a perfume and one of these doesn't. 

Olivia caught in the act of snapping someone. But I really took this picture because that black pointy thing was coming out of her head and I saw an opportunity. 

Now her snapchat...and have the black pointy thing coming out of the back of her shirt...perfectly. 

Emma's last Christmas present of the year from me and the Dad.

We said no to this. 

But yes to Olivia sitting in Kit Kat's newly purchased chair in the street. Redneck city. 

We had a great time and then we were motoring back home to finish off the few days before Christmas and ready ourselves for the out of town guests to arrive. This trip right before Christmas has become something of a tradition for me and my girls...and I love it. 

December 26 a group of us went to Lafayette for the afternoon to see the newly born Jack. Even though we had a full Christmas day the day before, this seemed as if the best time for us all to meet and greet the new wee babe. We were quick to get there and quick to fall in love with the new addition to our family. It was a good idea to go. 

GGmaw met her newest great grandson.

Mag and Emma did some Ukulele playing?

Jack had multi holder people. 

Meeting the Beebs.

There was a photo shoot while there.

Big brother Lucas was all smiles for the camera.

He loves his baby brother.

I love this so much.

I love them all. 

Annnnd that's a wrap on my travels for 2015. Even though I went on all those trips, I had NO IDEA how many I'd been on until I started counting them up! It was quite something. There used to be a picture at Gran and Grandma's house that said, 

To know how sweet your home can be, just go away, but keep the key. 

I couldn't agree more. I love going, but I love coming home to my cozy house. I can't imagine living anywhere else at this point. 

Lots of things happened in our family during 2015, some great, some not so great. Emma moved, a baby was born, a marriage was begun, Lydia had a big challenge to face. But I'm really glad to say we are all still here together. In the midst of it all, we see things through as a family and I'm glad about that.   

Lord I ask that you keep us safe and healed in 2016 so that we can live and love together this year and many more to come. 

Amen.

And amen to finishing this post. There was so many bugs in this and not all got ironed out. It was so frustrating. Which makes it such a challenge to remain a Christian while blogging.

I'm off to bed to see if it's still there.