Last post of 2010

In a few hours we will be ringing in a new year - 2011. I am not quite sure we will see the stroke of midnight, but I can say I saw 12noon. We're laying low tonight, staying home with the kids, cooking gumbo and maybe playing a mad game of Candy Land. I know those of you going to big parties are really jealous!
2010 has been a good year. We've laughed a lot, cried a little, and made lots of memories. I was trying to think of what I remember most from 2010. Our trip to the Frio with the Maurer family stands out as does Caleb's obsession with cowboys. A big highlight would have to be Austin's first father/son hunting trip with Wes as well as Uncle Jason's new pool and our all access pass to visit. I can't forget our trip to San Antonio and the massive downpour that rearranged our itenerary and allowed us to have a semiexclusive trip to the zoo.
As for 2011 - bring it on. I'm ready for the new year... ready for new exciting adventures for the Maurer Party of Five. Our trip to Disney this spring is sure to be a highlight. A&A will enter Kindergarten in the fall-real school... don't even want to think about that! I'll be sure to keep those updated on anything news worthy.
Happy New Year!!!

Mother/Daughter Christmas

I am very blessed to have 3 awesome friends in my life. They are what I consider "forever friends" because no matter where our lives may take us I know we will always be friends- always. The four of us were close in high school and have continued our friendship ever since. We have each gone our own way in life, have different groups of friends, talk only occasionally via email, but put us all in a room together and you would think we talked with each other everyday. We also have amazing mamas and every Christmas the 8 of us get together and go out for dinner. It is always a great time and we always leave asking why we don't get together more often.

Christmas in Rockdale

Day 4 of Christmas- Rockdale,TX was our destination. Since it was Sunday we started the day as a family at my grandpa's church. I always think of my grandma when I walk through the doors and my first instinct is to look to the front right side where she always used to sit. This Sunday we found Toppe, Grandpa, Uncle Steve and Candice sitting there and we followed suit. After church we headed to grandpa's house for lunch. Every year it seems that house gets smaller and smaller and we have to climb over each other to get through the living room-13 adults, 5 little kids and 2 big kids. Good thing we are family! After lunch the kids opened presents and the adults has their traditional lottery ticket scratch. It was a good day to end the Christmas season.

Christmas Day at Toppe's

Santa's visit on Christmas morning

I wasn't sure who would be the first to wake Christmas morning. The kids went to sleep late again Christmas Eve, but no one objected to go sleep or attempted to stay up late to see Santa. Christmas morning Avery walked into our room around 7:30am. She layed down with us and said "I saw lots of presents." After that she continued to lay quietly with us for another 10 minutes and then said "We have to get up. Santa was here." Wes said she should go get Austin so that they could go see if Santa was still in the living room. She did. Santa wasn't there, but boy did we have 2 excited kids. Shortly after, there were 3 excited kids and then it was time to see what Santa brought.

Christmas Eve

After lunch at Mimi's, a nap was required. While the kids slept peacefully, Santa was busy wrapping a few last minute presents and we assembled a few presents, including the aquarium. The kids were so excited to wake from nap and see it set up in their playroom, fully equipped with goldfish. There was little time to enjoy it since church was on the agenda for the evening. During all the hustle and bustle of Christmas time, we must always remember to take time to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. We attended the candlelight service at church with Uncle Jason, Toppe & Grandpa. After church we headed out to our annual Christmas Eve outing at Aunt Bonnie's. Another night where we were reminded how lucky we are to be surrounded by family.

Christmas Eve lunch at Mimi & Popo's

After a late night at Doug & Dorothy's, everyone slept in late (past 7:30 am) on Christmas Eve. It was a nice change, but waking up late meant we needed to put a little pep in our step to make it to Mimi and Popo's for Christmas Eve lunch. The kids had fun opening more presents. They were excited about opening the "big" boxes which wound up being luggage for our Disney trip this spring. They also got a new aquarium from Uncle Jason! We are all super excited about that gift. I can handle that addition to our family!

Maurer Christmas

After a visit from Santa, the kids ripped (literally) into their other presents. Then we enjoyed guitar music w/ Kelcie and the little ones, too much eating and drinking, card games, and lots of laughs. A fun time is guaranteed anytime with this family.

Santa visits Maurer Christmas

Maurer Christmas was Wednesday, the 23rd. Some how Santa was able to fit us into his busy schedule and make a quick appearance at Doug & Dorothy's. There was a mixture of emotions from our crew: Avery cried until she realized she had to walk up to Santa to get a gift, Caleb shyed away, but only briefly and Austin was glad to see him. Santa brought A&A&C adorable animal hats. They are perfect for cold weather.... if we get any.

Christmas House Guest

Uncle Jason was in town for a few days for Christmas and it was so good to spend a little extra time with him. He was our Christmas house guest and helped out with the extra chaos that comes around Christmas time. We even had our own photgrapher on Christmas morning.

Merry Christmas!!!.... a few days late

I didn't take time to post Christmas Day, so here is our official "Merry Christmas" to all of you who keep up with the Maurer Party of Five. We had 4 straight days of friends, family, stuffing our faces, tearing open gifts and spreading holiday cheer. It could take a few days, but a recap of all our fun is sure to follow.

Maurer/Kemper girls night out

Toppe and Mimi are both diffficult to buy for when it comes to Christmas presents so instead of buying something they may or may not want, I decided we would treat them to a girls night out. I got tickets to the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular at the Bass Concert Hall in Austin and we planned an evening of fun for just the girls. Avery was so excited to get to go along and I knew she would be amazed by the show. We had dinner at Vivo's, a fresh tex-mex treat. Avery got her own big girl drink adorned with a hibiscus flower and to top off our dinner we all got roses. The show was as expected - spectacular. One of the very best parts was the live nativity at the end of the show. After seeing all the dancing, kicking, singing, vibrant costumes, and lavish backdrops it once again brought us all back to the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of our Savior.
I do feel so blessed that we can do these kinds of things together. Mimi and Toppe are amazing ladies I have a feeling I have started a new tradition!