Happy Birthday Clay!!

Well, we celebrated Clay's 25th birthday yesterday! He's growing up so fast. The day was filled with birthday wishes and cakes and gifts... I think he had a pretty dang esiting birthday. I'll post some pics later. Last night we went to dinner with several of Clay's buddies at Cheesecake Factory. It was yummy, yummy and the guys were sweet enough to get Clay a big ballon... with a Bratz girl on it. It was pretty funny.

everyone can always use socks! Hey, c'mon... they were Puma socks.

His most prized posession... Guitar Hero 1 and 2.

Clay and his best bud Casey.

Anyway, tonight we are having dinner with my parents and GINNY!!!!! If you don't know who Ginny is then you are missing out on THE best grandmother in the WHOLE WORLD!! I'll post some pics of tonights events tomorrow.

Ginny and Max! It was so fun having them here.

Don't get up Molly... good girl.

The Biz in her Christmas sweater. She is so photogenic... I think she gets it from me.

THEN-- tomorrow we are CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!!! I mean, could I wait til the last minute... oh wait... i am. Whatev. We've got my parents office Christmas party tomorrow night as well. Somehow we always get invited, even though we don't work there. It's a lot of fun and FREE FOOD!!! We'll do a chinese gift exchange over there so there's sure to be some funny pics of that to come as well.

Chinese Christmas... so fun.

Clay's worried face that he wouldn't get the present HE brought... that's right, we play dirty.

Victory... Oh yeah.

Dad showin' off his prize

Mother also won the gift SHE brought... what a bunch of ninnies.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Biz

For those of you who don't know, I happen to own the best, cutest dog in the whole world. It's true. Some of you may have THOUGHT that you had a cute dog... I'm sorry to inform you that I, in fact, DO have the cutest and sweetest dog... in the world. Izzie is a 6-year-old black cocker spaniel. She is originally from the streets of Lubbock, TX (it's a rough story). She was found by my brother's girlfriend, at the time, wandering the cold and lonely streets of L-town. Izzie spent the next few weeks hanging out with this girl and her roommates. They soon decided that they didn't want to be pestered by a sweet and precious animal. She was handed over to my brother, Matthew. Matt took the pup in, giving her the name Isabella which was soon shortened to Izzie.



Izzie and I instantly fell in love.



That Christmas I recieved many gifts... none that I can remember. But the last gift was a small oddly shaped one with my name on it. I unrolled the paper to find a beautiful purple collar speckled with rhinestones. The heart shaped tag hagging from the collar read, "Izzie."



My heart lept as I realized what was happening. Matt was giving her to me. It was the best present I've ever received. We've been together ever since. I always remember so many blessings this time of year, but I especially remember Izzie and how blessed I am to have her. Thank you God for puppies that fill our lives with joy, laughter, and sometimes sadness.

Thank you God for Izzie.

Carol of Lights!

Well, it's that time of year already!! That's right Raider fans-- THE CAROL OF LIGHTS!! Clay and I went to Lubbock last weekend to join in the festivities and watch the lights of Tech campus shine for the first time this Christmas season. We got to see family and lots of old friends. It was a lot of fun. Just another reminder of how abundant our life is. We are rich indeed. Here's the pics from the weekend. Enjoy!!

p.s. The genius that I am, I forgot to bring my camera to the Carol of Lights... so... just use your imagination.

Me and Katie (she was one of my professors at Tech)

Love her.

Clay and Katie... not real sure what's going on here.

me, Katie, Larry (aka "THE NEAL"), Clay, and Melanie

Larry and Melanie were our first landlords as a married couple. She was our professor for our "Relationships" class (I'm not making this up) and she offered to let us rent her upstairs "apartment" for the 6 months we'd be in Lubbock after we were married. It was the best thing we ever did. YAY FOR NEALS!!!!!

Sair-bear & me (my longest roomie ever...well... until Clay).

She's single... in case anyone wants to know. Who doesn't appreciate a girl who can make ya laugh?!?!

Daniel (my oldest bro), bein' dramatic... shocker.

CLOSE-UP!