Clay Gives Back

Values that are important for us as Clay's parents to teach him at an early age are to be appreciative and grateful for what he has, compassion for others, and the generosity to give to those in need. What better way to set these examples than to participate in Brown Santa?!? This is the sheriff's version of Austin Police Department's Blue Santa. They ask you bring a new toy {unwrapped} to be donated to families in need this holiday season.

Clay had a great time shopping for the toy we were going to donate. Mama talked to him a lot about how this toy was going to be for a boy or girl that might not otherwise get a toy for Christmas. When he found the perfect toy he looked at me and said, "Mama, this is the one for the firemen to give to boys and girls that don't have toys." Bless His Heart!!!!



Clay & Evelyn in front of the "huuuuuge firetruck!"


Clay, too, received a cute fireman's hat...but no way was he gonna wear it!


Giving his toy to the fireman.

Mama and Clay in front of the truck...lights flashing! Clay told me, "Mama, look at the Christmas wreath on the grill...that's silly!"

Group shot


Thank you for the invite Lisa and Evelyn! We had a great time touring the Oak Hill Fire Department. This will definitely be a Christmas tradition for years to come.

Gettin' ready for the real thing...

To get us in the x-mas spirit {since Daddy flat out refused to let us put up our tree before Thanksgiving! :)}, Clay first created his shape tree.


our shapes: two trapezoids for the base and middle, a triangle for the top, circle ornaments, square presents, and a star to top it off!



learning our new shape...trapezoid or "twapezoid" as clay pronounces {love it!}



I showed him how the bases fit together then he just took off putting the rest of the shapes in their places. We've read TONS of books about x-mas, the holidays, etc., so once I told him what the other shapes represented on the tree he didn't need anymore prompting.

glued down the triangle top and adding the star

carefully placing our "ornaments"

of course he knows where the presents go! :)

ta da! finished product!

close up and a "okay mom, I'm holding this poster for you while I'd rather be playing so please take the picture" smile!

Stay tuned...pics of decorating our "real" tree to come!

He's Making a List...

and checking it twice! {With a little help from his buddy, Josh.} Santa Claus better be ready...I have a feeling this is gonna be a looooong one! ;)

The end of our Thanksgiving holiday ended with a date night for Mama & Daddy {whoo hoo!} with an added bonus of seeing family in Ingleside/Aransas Pass. While Mama, Daddy, Aunt Katie & Josh headed off to the Eli Young concert, Nana and Paw Paw took care of the big guy. Little did they know, they too, were attending a concert of their own! Here's Clay signing his little heart out to Eli Young's song, When It Rains.

Just precious! Singing and dancing at the same time...I think we've got a future in entertainment! :)

Over the river and through the woods...

to Coach and Mick's house we go! This Thanksgiving, I was thankful that my brother and his family, my sister, and the Yeamans family 3 were all together at Coach and Mick's. Settle in...the paparazzi had her camera out and ready to point and shoot!






snuggles with mick


mick & jp

chilling with coach

Aunt Ash always asks Clay to "help her with something" and he gladly helps pull those boots off! :)

jonparker and his mama



jp and his daddy {love that billy idol lip :)}


Uncle Duke, Aunt Holly & silly Julia



cousins {julia may or may not be standing on her tippy toes...i'm just saying! :)}


mick and the grandkids {julia looking a little tall in this pic too!}


love clay's expression in this pic :)


bedtime...i think NOT!


jumping with aunt ash and singing "ten little monkeys" so loud the neighbors could hear!


poor aunt ash! :)


don't worry JP, you'll be getting in on the action before too long!



first pic with uncle doug!

Can't wait for Christmas! XOXO!

Cause I'm a Girl that LOVES Order...

means that I've got to get this post up before any others! A busy week leading up to Thanksgiving added to lots of traveling for the holiday equals being a blogger slacker! I'm back to it and here's the first of many "catch up" posts.

Here are some pics of when Clay and I drove down to San Antonio to meet Grandpa, Aunt Kathy, and Uncle Steve for lunch. Uncle Steve flew in from Missouri to run his very first {and possibly last} marathon! I can't even begin to imagine...26.2 miles of pounding the pavement! Congratulations Uncle Steve for a job well done! We are so proud of you!


giving uncle steve a high five!



clay and aunt kathy


take 2!

Go Horns! {Not sure the Mizzou fans would approve, Uncle Steve! :) But, when in Texas...put up those horns!}

love how clay is working on getting his horns just right!

a shot with mama

brothers & sister

hammin' it up with uncle steve

here is a little part of the sign clay and i made for grandpa and aunt kathy to hold up during the race...it says SUPER STEVE with a big superman S in the middle along with some of clay's personal touches! :)

Stay tuned...more posts to come!