Brenda & The Boys

Well, it is over. Christmas day has come and gone. We had a WONDERFUL Christmas. It was filled with family, friends, food, and fun. Many new memories were made. Today we are detoxing a bit. The boys are playing with their new toys. I am cleaning up a some. I am also trying to find something somewhat healthy to eat. I have OD'd on the sweets this Christmas! I ate everything that was in front of me. And more. I am stuffed. It feels awful. I hope you all had a great Christmas. It is hard to believe that in just a few days it will be a brand new year!

We would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas!!

This is what I got yesterday when I asked Matthew to put his shoes away..."where they belong!" More like where he felt like putting them. Guess he thought he was hiding them from me? Hmmm. Not sure.

Ok . Today is the day. I feel it. Christmas is here! So near. Have you got it? That warm fuzzy feeling inside. Of the memories past, the ones you'll make, the meaning of it all, the reason for the season, all that. It is here. Today I will sit and enjoy every second. And tomorrow and the next day, too. If not as quickly as it came it will be gone. Hope you are taking time to enjoy it, too. Me, I am. I really am. The stockings are hung. The presents are wrapped. My dad has his egg nog in the fridge (every year he does). This year, Matthew has broken... oh I have lost count how many ornaments. Alex has read his letter from Santa a ton of times. Phoebe has her jingle bell collar on. The news stations will begin to track Santa's whereabouts soon. Christmas lights. Friends and family. Food and fun! I love it. And it is here. Merry Christmas!! P.S. Janice and Ryan we are missing you this Christmas . I hope you are having a Merry one in Iowa. Peace and Love to you!! See you in N...

I just wanted to wish Jennifer and Steve a very Happy 11th Anniversary!! Love you guys!

The Christmas parties have begun. We have already had five. Just a few more to go. They have all been fun. Today Alex had his at school. It was fun. Loud. Crazy. But fun. The kids had a good time. Matt missed his because he is sick. This weekend Alex and Kevin are joining Mr. and Mrs. P and Brian & Linda on a trip to San Antonio to watch high school football (state playoff games). Just for fun. Just because they love football and being on the river walk at Christmas is fun,too. I am excited for Alex. He loves football!! He can't wait. I am staying home with Matthew. He has been sick. He has had an ear infection, fever, tons of fussiness, lost his appetite, etc. And today back to the doctor to find out he has STREP THROAT!! Again. He had it last month, too. UGH!! So, I am praying my little guy gets well soon. Just in time for the remainder of our Christmas festivities and activities. In time for Santa! Hope all is well with you guys! Good thing--I am done with my shopping and m...

This is my fave one by far. This morning Matthew came into the living room and said hi. I said hi! He walked over to me. I said give me a hug. And he did. So, I hug him. And he says, "I love you." He did. All by his self. I did not have to say it first. Oh. My moment with Matthew. So special. I love him.

Matching pjs. Yay! I love Christmas pjs. I love that that the weather is cold again. I love Christmas! I don't love that little piece of tape on a brand new roll of wrapping paper. (Sorry, random thought). What is that about? I love this time of year. I hope you and your Christmas cuties have a wonderful weekend!!

There are 12 day left until...CHRISTMAS!! So, here is a fun version of an old favorite just to fit the occasion.

The holidays couldn't go on without a Matthew moment or two! This is his first ornament oops! So far. Not bad. Alex likes to tell him, "Matt, I am four and I have never broken one!" Oh, the words of a first born. Ha!

Ms. Beth and the students at the Weekday Learning Center sang happy birthday to Matthew on Tuesday. My mom and I stayed to watch. It was fun!

Ok. So, Matt's only been 2 for one day but, already he is being...well 2. I gave him a sip cup before his nap. It had juice in it. He took a big swig. And then in the next breath he burped. Then came a huge smile. He then ran to tell big brother. "I burped, Alex. I burped!" He was so proud. Little man! Ugh. What am I to do!?!

Click here to find out how you can Elf yourself ! It is fun. Try it. I did. Check us out @: http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1174342129 ? . Yes, The Parks have some mad dancing skills. Go ahead have a peak. And a laugh!! Oh, and you must share yours!! I did. Happy Elfing!

Today Matthew is two!! Yup, my baby is two. We celebrated his birthday on Saturday with a Shrek themed party at Kids in Action . He had a blast!!

Here are scenes from one of my favorite Christmas movies of all time. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation !! I watch it every year. What are you faves?

I just feel it in my bones. Christmas. You know what I am talking about. I know you do. If you haven't gotten in the spirit yet. Tune in to Sunny 99.1 FM . It just might help. They are playing Christmas music 24/7. It is wonderful!!! Put it on. Turn off the TV. Pull out the decorations. Bake some cookies. Send a Christmas card. Make some hot chocolate (crank up the A.C. first). Watch a Christmas movie. Enjoy the season. It comes and goes so fast!!!

Our dog Phoebe is 11 years old today!!Though she makes me crazy sometimes, I love her so much. I am sad she is getting older. She has a lot of spunk left in her. She has a ton of gray hair though. Happy Birthday Phoebe.

Here is Matt singing and dancing his heart out. We were in San Diego. A hotel pen is his microphone. He is wearing a dinner with Shamu VIP ticket we were given around his neck. He is too funny!! Hard to believe he will be two next week!!

Here is another pic from the UT/A&M game. It was so much fun. Next year it is in Austin. Woo-hoo!!

We'd like to wish each and every one of you a very Happy Thanksgiving !!!

So, one of my favorite things during the Christmas holiday is Blue Bell Peppermint Ice Cream !! Yumo!! I love it. Do you love it?! Have you tried it? Oh my goodness. H.E.B. already has it out. I have mine. Yum. It makes me happy. Like it? Get some. Not sure? Try it. Mmmm...pink and perfect. Love it! --You can print out a coupon for $1 off your next Blue Bell purchase from their website . *When the holidays are over my favorite flav is BB's Rocky Road. Oh, yeah!

Want something fun to do over the long holiday weekend. Go see the new Disney movie Enchanted . It is fun for the whole family. Kevin, Alex, and I went to see it tonight and we all really liked it. It is just fun! Go see it!!

I thought this was a fun find. It is a fun way to display fruit . It might encourage kids and Kevin to eat more fruit. Love it.

Alex is showing me some love on Dog Beach ( Ocean Beach ) in San Diego. We had so much fun on that trip! Do ya see the surfer on the left? There were about 30 of them out there. It was fun watching them while the sun was setting.

We made a family trip to Sea World San Antonio this past weekend. We had a great time!! I can't wait to do it again sometime.

Yesterday the teachers hosted their annual Thanksgiving Feast at the Weekday Learning Center. They served all 400 students and their families. They are awesome! It was Matthew's first one at the school and Alex's last. He'll be in kinder. next year! :(

I just love the way Matt is looking at this goat. He looks like he is up to something. Alex is petting the goat. Protecting it from what might come. You never know. Ha. And Kevin looks on. The ref. Love it. The San Diego Zoo was fun!

This video gave me chills. Never would you by just looking at this guy think he could do that!! I always love an underdog. This is really cool. Paul Potts has got talent!! And I am not exactly an opera fan. But seeing Paul follow a dream has got me hooked!

Yup. I went. They squished. I got it over with. Yay! It was not at all so bad. The worst part was walking in the room shaking hands with the super sweet nurse Gaye and introducing myself as a nervous newbie. Next, she says nice to meet you take off your top. Ok, now let's get started she says. Hello. I am showing you my ta-ta's. The actual x-ray was not bad. Got 'r done. Until next year. Being a girl is so fun! Ha. Have a good day!!

Married high school sweetheart. Check. Have a mortgage. Check. Have two kids. Check. Traded in my SUV for a mini-van. Check. Drive kids to and from soccer games/practice. Check. Soccer Mom? Me. (see above). Check. Social life = taking kids to more than one birthday party all in one day.Check. I get called Mrs. Parks or Mam. Check.-- Who? What? When did this happen? Turned 35. (Shh, don't tell anyone)Check. Get yearly check-ups, i.e. my first mammogram tomorrow!! What? Me. I don't wanna. So, tomorrow I get to check that one off, too. I am sooo scared and nervous. If you don't know there is a big time history of breast cancer in my family. So, this is it. From now on I will have to do this. I am a grown-up. Yay?

My silly boys having fun at the San Diego Zoo !

We just got back from San Diego. We went to the zoo and also to SeaWorld ! We had a great time. The weather was not the best but, we had a great time anyway. Can I just say that I am an even bigger fan of Shamu now. We were up close and personal with the whales. It was awesome!! You can click on any picture to view it larger. Alex was in awe at how close he was to Shamu. Matt was pretty amazed as well. Can you see Alex's big o'smile!?!

I took this picture of Alex and Preston over the weekend. They are on the same soccer team at the Y. It has been fun watching them and their friends play this season. I am sad it is almost over.

The boys and I are headed to San Diego with Kevin. He has a seminar to attend for work. And so we are making it a short vacation. We are going to go to the San Diego Zoo and to SeaWorld San Diego. We get back on Friday! Have a great week!! I will post some pics asap.

My sister called me today. She was super excited about a Huge Yard Sale she is going to tomorrow. Janice works for Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. So, tomorrow her assignment is to take $1,000 given to her by Ford's to this yard sale and purchase things to be used in future theatre productions at Ford's . Yeah. Oh, and by the way she tells me. This sale may be filmed by the Oprah show. It is for an upcoming show about people that " hoard " things. This particular sale is filled with one person's years and years of hoarding. My sister. Her life is exciting!! I am jealous. I wish I could hop a plane and go with her! Sounds like fun!! Can't wait to hear all about it, J. If you happen to be in the area. Lol! Here is the info. as taken from the website my sis told me about. Fun! -- Nov 1/Nov 3: HUGE YARD SALE! HUGE WAREHOUSE SALE EVERYTHING MUST GO Everything Must Go! **Shoppers MAY appear on National Television** This event may possibly be featured on a...

I bought these yesterday at H.E.B. Just like I have before no biggie. It was not until yesterday that I paid attention to the name. And to the little boy's big ol ' smile on the packaging. They are called 'Good Times'. Training pants. Please tell me what is so good about potty training!? Or diapers and all that jazz. I will be so glad when Matt is out of them. Good times! What? Who named these?! :)

I hope everyone has a Happy Halloween! Be safe tonight as you trick or treat!! In case you are wondering what Alex and Matthew are goi ng to be here are few pictures for you to see. Darth Vader and Shrek. Or Shreky is the way Matt says it. Of course Ugly Betty is what I will be. And Kevin? Well. He will wear his 'I heart witches' shirt again I am sure. Scary.

Just sending a shout out to one of my favorite ghouls!! My niece Maddie is 7 today!!

As most of you may or may not know. I love the show Ugly Betty!!! Love it. Love her. And seeing how I kinda look like her anyway. I thought hey, easy costume. I am Ugly Betty. Um, Ugly Brenda. Ha. Halloween is fun. Trick or Treat!

Yesterday, Matt helped me put out our blow up pumpkin in the yard. Alex was napping. He was so excited as you can see in the picture. Although, I think he may be getting his holidays mixed up because he kept saying, "Pumpkin, ho, ho, ho!" Ha!

I took this today. I thought Alex, Preston, and Will looked so cute with their backpacks. They love school and each other. I love them. They are such sweet boys. I love how they are each doing something different with their hands in this pic. Look at those pearly whites! Cute.

Happy Bday, Pa!!! We hope you had a great day. We love you!!!

Matthew loves to kick back and relax every once and again. He takes after his mama.

I just wanted to let you all know that my friend Linda Beth suffered a "slight" stroke. She has been moved to a Rehab unit at St. Joseph's hospital. She will begin aggressive rehab for 3 hours each day. They will re-evaluate her at the end of the week. Please continue to keep her in your prayers.

I have just learned that one of my friends from church Linda Beth Perry is in the hospital. I am so sad to hear this and just wish I could at this very second be by her side. Instead I am with her in prayer. And I ask any of you that will, please say a little prayer for Linda Beth. Pray that the doctor's find out what is ailing her so that she will be able to come home soon. Please pray for her husband Robert, too. These are two very special people to me. Thank you.