Book Club

This was book club in 2007. We'd each take turns picking a book, meet at Panera, and talk (at least a little bit) about the book. We'd stay at Panera until we were the last ones there and every once in awhile we'd make a trip to Barnes and Noble or to watch a movie that was made about a book we'd already read.

Kristin, me, Audrey, and Jessica

(reading Twilight before it was the cool thing to do)

Kristin got married and moved out to Washington State where she does cool things like go to the Olympics and travels all sorts of cool places. Audrey graduated with her Master's and has begun working on her Doctorate, all while teaching and coaching volleyball. Jessica already had Tobin at this point, but then had another baby boy- raised them both while her husband served in Iraq, then had another baby boy and will be on her own again while hubby goes through FBI training. Meanwhile, I've started graduate school, became a mommy, and went from working full time outside of the home to full time inside the home. (Am I the boring one or what?!?) Needless to say, we can hardly find a time that works for everyone to get together. 

My 2010 book club is vastly different.

We eat macaroni and cheese instead of Panera. We don't read books like The Devil Wears Prada, My Sister's Keeper, or A Total Waste of Makeup. Instead, we read books more along the lines of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round, and Hop on Pop. And we don't read them just once, but over and over and over and over and over.... you get the point. All I can say is thank goodness for the library so I can switch up the books I have on hand. But we have fun. I love reading them books and I think it is so great that they are so interested being read to. I can't wait for the Summer Reading Program! So this what I call Book Club: The Next Generation.

David, Chacey, and Jackson diving into

some new books I picked up at the library yesterday.

I am open to any recommendations of  must-read books for me or the kiddos? The kids books must be board books, and if you have to ask why- you clearly haven't met my son. I do have to say that I love, love, love the Sparkle and Shine Noah's Ark book, enough that I am tempted to just buy a copy! Let me know of any suggestions!

Most Wonderful (Busiest) Time of the Year

December has been a crazy month for us this year. Lots of going here and there to make sure to see our friends and family over the holiday. It is so nice to have both of our families here in the Kansas City, but it amazes me how much we still really drive. There was a time when we filled up my car four consecutive days in a row!

Derek and I attended the Singing Christmas Tree program at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church at the beginning of the month and I am just always so entertained by it. Laura and her dance studio perform each year, so next year make sure you go watch! My family finally got together to celebrate Ashley's birthday (which is October 23). It was well worth the wait to go to Texas Roadhouse. We need one here in Belton. Actually, one a side note-- here are a few things that Belton really needs:

1. Panera!!!
2. Best Buy
3. Olive Garden
4. Steak N Shake
5. Drive In Movie theater
   
6. Less traffic!!

Anyway... We had a nice first Christmas with Jackson. We celebrated with Derek's family on the Saturday before Christmas when Brad and Mary were in town. His parents got me a certificate for a massage and I am very much looking forward to using it soon! Derek's grandpa and Aunt Judy came to visit over the holidays, so we made sure to get to visit with them too. Derek spent Christmas Eve driving to Springfield with his mom to help Brad move, and I went up to Trenton with my family to visit my grandma's. We both made it back in time to attend the Christmas Eve service, which is one of my favorite parts of the holiday. On Christmas morning, we opened gifts at our place before heading up to Derek's grandmothers house in Richmond to enjoy a fantastic lunch. In the afternoon we headed up to Kearney to spend time with my family. My cousin and her family came down in the evening and it was real nice to visit with them.

The day after Christmas, we drove down to Springfield for Brad and Mary's wedding. Derek was a groomsman, and I a bridesmaid. The wedding was beautiful and everything went nicely. The little flower girl walked down the aisle tossing flowers and when she got to the front, she walked back up the aisle picking them all up! She then attended the reception in nothing but her undies and pantyhose, which is still cute and acceptable from a three year old.


While in Springfield, we stayed with our friends Jeff and Missy. They bought the house this summer and it is such a cute place! I told them we are moving in because Jackson slept so well while we were there!! I was excited to introduce Jackson to Sarah and Kayla and our other Springfield friends! Of course, everybody thought he was pretty cool!

I accidentally left my camera at a friends house the week before Christmas, so my sister was so gracious to loan me hers so that we could have pictures of Jackson's first Christmas. I'll post pictures soon!