Go Big Red!

Great win, Huskers!

Snowman

Day Two to 5K

Today was a bit colder than Day One, but we were back out at it. We added a 1/2 mile to the mile from last time and she got a bit more tired this time, but she stuck with it and is so proud of herself for FINISHING the workout! 1.5 miles - in 20 minutes. Go Natalie, Go!! Great job!!

White Christmas

Christmas 2009 meant a WHITE Christmas for North Texas ~ The first since 1926!! Now that's a Christmas Miracle!!

We had a great time playing in it ...

A very Merry Christmas to all of you ~ and may 2009 be full of blessings for each of our friends and family!

Love to you all!

Day One

After my 1/2-marathon, Natalie decided *she* wanted to do a half. The particular event I did doesn't allow kids under 12 to do the half (and I COMPLETELY agree!), so we started looking into events that she could, in fact, participate in. We have found a 5K in February and so she's made it her goal to do that.

We started her training today and she really did great: 1 mile in 12:30. Not bad at all for her first time out with the timer! She really pushed herself and we were both so proud of her!

Here she is during her "cool-down" (not included above):

And then some long jumping for fun afterward:

A fun afternoon!

Great job, Natalie Grace!

Christmas 2009

Christmas 2009 has already come to our house! We had to do it a little early due to Zane's work schedule, but we still managed to have a perfect Christmas!

Saturday night was our "Christmas Eve" and we did the traditional cookie-making for Santa, watched the Cowboys beat those New Orleans Saints, and then went to bed hopeful Santa received our email asking him to make a special trip due to the work schedule!

We woke up with a VERY happy little girl who was thrilled to see that Santa HAD, in fact, made the special trip to our house. He brought her a huge Polly Pocket play set, a Webkinz, and a stocking full of goodies. Jackpot for a 6-year-old little girl!

But giving is so much fun, too! Natalie & I worked hard on a blanket for Zane. Natalie tediously tied hundreds of knots to make him a Cornhusker fleece blanket. Zane was so happy with it and she was delighted to have it to give to him!

We will finish our Christmas season with a candlelight Church service on the 24th - which we're really looking forward to!

Merry Christmas to each of you!!

Love, Traci (and Zane & Natalie, too!)

Introducing ....

Natalie was in a silly mood - so after PJ's and brushing teeth, this is the "show" she put on:

The Intro:

Song #1: Smartypants Ballerina:

And finally, Christmas wishes ... Just for fun ~ and a special greeting to you all at the end!:

Silver Spurs

The first basketball game has already come!! The Silver Spurs (1st and 2nd grade co-ed team) did a great job. They came up short with a 12-8 score, but they did a fantastic job of playing offense, defense, trying to get the rebounds, and just having a great first game.

Natalie felt a bit frustrated because she didn't get any points or rebounds, but I can say that from the stands, she looked great. The player she was playing man-to-man on was a rough kid and she held her own with him. I'm proud of her for hanging in there!

Great game, Spurs!!

It's beginning ...

... to look a lot like Christmas.

We got back from our trip and woke up to .... SNOW?!?! In Texas? We were shocked! It usually *never* snows here. But it did - and made a nice day for just making a fire and feeling in the Christmas spirit.

And please note our stockings. No sports fans in this house! HA!

Thanksgiving Trip

We had a great trip up to the Pacific Northwest over Thanksgiving. Zane was working, so Natalie and Traci took a little jaunt up there for a few days.

Some pictures of getting the Christmas tree, going pumpkin shooting, and getting the tree all decorated at Goat Grandma and Grandpa Roy's house.

The Apple Cup 2009. Final result: Washington: 30 - Washington State: 0. Natalie was a happy camper. Travis, not so much. The paper headline sums it up "Cougars hit a new low, No. 4 quarterback even saw action" -- And what that doesn't tell you is that the #4 QB was also the back up punter. Fun day to be a Husky fan!!

We got to have quick visit with Nicole and family. Here is Natalie with Dylan & baby Jackson. She was so excited to get to see them - and she spent the day playing with both of them. Dylan was happy to have a story-reader. And Jackson is just happy to have another person to smile and talk at. Super cute - was great to get the kids together!

My trip

Tomorrow me and my

mom are going to

  my Grandmas house for

Thanksgiving.  I am so so soooo  exided I tell you.

THANKSGIVING

We are putting the tree up & doing a early Thanksgiving today.

Christmas Shoping

We went to Hobby Lobby and got this when we were there.

Do you thing it was crowded and noisy there?

School Picture

First Grade school picture - she's growing up FAST!!

Still toothless there on the top, but there is a LOT more room for the tooth to come in!

Duke's First Show

Natalie and Duke made their "debut" at a Jackpot show  ~  Starring in "Pee Wee Showmanship"  She did a great job!!

Getting him all combed

And the hair all blown out

Finally ready to go!

GO BIG RED!!

Halloween at our house meant a trip to Waco to see the Nebraska Cornhuskers take on the Baylor Bears ... Thank goodness for a WIN!!

My dad says this guy is pretty important in Nebraska - Tom Osborne or something like that ;-)

Hope

An after school surprise - our last cow unexpectedly calved today - here is the little calf.  She's tiny.  Like our dog-size.  But she's doing great - despite thinking she was dead at birth.

Meet ZNT American Hope - you know, in honor of 9/11 and all!  Welcome to the world, little Hope!

They call it "Jerry World"

The Dallas Cowboys had an "Open Practice" and we were able to go see the new stadium - for free!!  So here we are on our little excursion.

First Day of 1st Grade

Kindergarten behind us, and the summer gone WAY TOO FAST - it's the first day of 1st grade!  Already!!! She is excited to go and ready for the year!

Her long-anticipated backpack!

Girls Rock!!

Beautiful girl!