Colorado Trip

We went to Keystone Colorado December 19-23 for my sister Rachel's college graduation. We went with our family, Rachel's boyfriend Nick, and my aunt, uncle, and cousins on my dad's side. As Mortons do...we fought the entire time. Daddy drove like a crazy person and Nick hurt his shoulder snowboarding. At least this time there was no condo fire. We all had a blast doing many different activities...eating, skiing, snowboarding, sleigh riding, tubing, and dog sled riding. The condo that we stayed in was so nice and really close to where the ski lift was. I took pictures of pretty much everything that went on since that was the only thing I could really do besides the sleigh ride. It started snowing the night before we left and we got just out of Denver before a huge snowstorm hit. I was worried about flying in the snowstorm, but we ended up having a horrible time getting through the east Texas thunderstorms. I thought I was going to loose my Big Mac on the plane! Mike was amazed at how young the kids were that were skiing so I'm sure we will be back in a couple of years for Mason to try it out! Above are some pictures from the trip. I am trying to figure out the photo bucket thing so bare with me. It sent it straight to my blog and made it a slide show. I will figure it out!

Holidays

Man, I am posting like crazy today! It must be because I have to go back to work tomorrow and I know it will be one busy week! Below are some pictures from Christmas, New Years, and one of Mason and me :)

Rachel and her "new do"

My family and Mike's sister Sherry and nieces Peyton and Miranda came over for NYE!

Nan and her grand dogs

Mike got Reece's and one of his mom's paintings framed in his stocking.

Me and the pups sniffing out their gifts from Santa Claus

Mason and Me: 28 weeks

Thanksgiving

I know I am working backwards on my posts, but I keep thinking of more things I need to catch you all up on. Thanksgiving was very different this year without Mike's mom, but I think we honored her very well. We drove down with my part of my fam-in-law (Chris, Sara, Julia, and Callie) to Mission where some of my other fam-in-law live (Sherry, Eric, Peyton, and Miranda). Mike's little brother Jon and his girlfriend Crystal drove down as well. I did make the trip longer than it would have been due to my frequent need to potty, but we made it there! We went on a walk, the kids played football with the guys and we went shopping. On Thanksgiving day we made lunch and Eric cooked the Turkey. Everything tasted so good. I know Judy was proud of all the cooking we did! We went to the ocean the day after Thanksgiving and spread Judy's ashes over the water. We got there just at sunset. It was so pretty and it was her favorite place and time of the day. Mike and I do miss her, but we try to remind each other when we get down that she is having a blast in heaven! Below are a couple of pictures from the trip.

Mike and I with niece Miranda. She looks like she belongs to us! No, Mike is not drugged.

Mike's brother Chris with nieces Julia, Callie, Peyton, and Miranda

Daddy's Retirement/Rachel's Graduation

My dad retired from 37 years of teaching/coaching/administration on November 30, 2009. We are all so proud of the things he has done for public education in the schools he has worked for and for education in Texas as well. We had a retirement reception for him at Prairiland and so many of his friends, family, and co-workers came. It was such a good turn out! We gave him a flat screen tv for his room as a retirement gift!

My sister graduated from Texas A&M University - Commerce on December 19, 2009. We are so proud of her as well. Her degree is in Management with a minor in Family and Consumer Science. I think she should make a business out of selling her crafts and cakes...maybe she will do that one day!

To celebrate both events we went on a trip to Colorado with our family and my aunt, uncle, and cousins. Below are some pictures of the retirement party and Rachel's graduation.