Going Away Crawfish Boil

Last weekend we held a Going Away Party for Becky and Trevor. . at their request we boiled crawfish.  Trevor videotaped the whole thing so he could attempt his own boil in Nebraska. . .that should be interesting!!  It was a good time as usual. .filled with laughter and tears.  We sure are going to miss The Rookers.. .stupid yankees  :-(
                                                                           The Girls
                                         Bridget, Me, Karyn, Michelle, Terri, Corey and Becky

                                                                           
                                                                                    The Guys 
                                                     Brandon, Scott, Chad, Trevor and Cedric

                                                             

                                                               My favorite Goob--Trevor

                                        

                                      Brandon showing Michelle how to peel her first crawfish!!

          The Going Away Basket filled with pictures, magnets, ornamens, Tony's and crab boil.

           We sure are going to miss you two. . see y'all in June at The College World Series

Decorating the Tree

This year we had to change tradition slightly.  On Thursday, Chad had his knee scoped again so he was unable to fully help us decorate the tree.  Also since the Rookers are leaving on Saturday, Libby was not going to be able to enjoy decorating her first Christmas Tree.  So Trevor, Becky, and Libby came over to help.  Yes, Becky cried the whole time because we are so sweet. . . .

My favorite picture. . Jake's shadow looks like Peter Pan!!

Who Dat Christmas

Who Dat Christmas

Twas the month before Christmas and no sign of snow.
But N.O. doesn't care cause the Saints are 11 & 0.
Dinkins scored a touchdown, Sharper intercepted a pass.
And the Who Dat Nation cheered when Brady was sacked on his ass.
Sunday the Redskins, to Washington we will go.
And when the Black and Gold get finished we'll be 12 & 0!
Go Brees, Go Bush, Go Harper & Ellis,
Our team is UNDEFEATED and the others are jealous!
On Thomas... On Shockey... On Sharper and Bell !
On Brees... On Colston... Let's give 'em hell!!
On Meachem... On Harper... On Roby... On Greer!
We Show'd Pretty Boy Brady the meaning of Fear!!

WHO DAT!!

Turkey Day in the Trees

We are thankful for our friends in 'the trees' . . .Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Gettin' Ready for the Holidays

Last weekend we went to "Lighting of the Doves" here in The Woodlands.  This has become our new

tradition together.  We love seeing the waterway sparkle with white lights and the kids love the hot chocolate and 'imported' snow.  This year Callie was super excited to see Santa, , ,she is convinced she can sneak him her Christmas List. . .the list asking for a DOG!!  

Halloween 2009

Chad and the boys had their last regular season basketball game on Saturday.  They ended the season 4-4--which I think is pretty good.  Throughout the season, the team had many kids miss practices and games due to the flu--including ours!!  Next weekend is the Playoffs!!  Good luck, Jazz!

After the game, we went home and got ready for Halloween.  It seems that The Straughan Halloween Party is becoming a tradition no matter what state we are in!!

This year the kids chose their own individual outfits--the boys were pretty creative.  Mace was a Mad Scientist, Jake was "Scary" Potter, and Callie was a hula girl.  Of course the weather didn't cooperate and poor Callie had to wear a sweater and tights with her costume. 

I was "Flo" from the Progressive Commercials.

Chad and Brandon were the Blues Brothers.  While trick-or-treating with the kids, some of the neighbors thought they were "Drunken Mormons"!!

Since the boys ditched us again this year--it was just Daddy and his girl trick-or-treating.  The boys even ditched EACH OTHER this year--they went off with separate groups of friends.

Some of the party-goers. . .once again it was a great Halloween Party!!

Birthday Party

Last night, we went to the Mullen's to celebrate Cedric's birthday

. As always, it was a great time!

Michelle, Chad, Karen and Chris

Birthday Toast

Karen, Bridget, Becky, Michelle, me

A Beautiful Weekend

On Friday night we went to our church for "Scream on the Green."  They had many family friendly activities for us to enjoy.  The kids loved the Hay Maze--the boys stayed in it the entire evening.  All the parents agreed it was the best $5 we have ever spent!!

And it wouldn't be Texas without some kind of BBQ buffet.

Then, the DJ taught the crowd how to dance to "Thriller"--it was hilarious.  Callie and Samantha had so much fun learning the moves.

Little Cole Man was dancing, too--his 'zombie' moves were priceless.

On Saturday my school hosted its Carnival. 

They had tons of inflatables, so my team teacher (and friend) Stephanie thought it would be a blast to joust each other.  Our students thought it was great!! 

Then the big event of the day.  The two teachers who had the most student votes had to race each other on the GIANT inflatable Ironman Obstacle Course.  Well it figures I get picked to race against the 25 year old teacher, with no kids who trains to run MARATHONS--I didn't have a prayer.  I really did try my best but she whipped my butt.  I just couldn't climb over that dang wall---the boys said that half the crowd left after Miss Galvin won--they said it was taking me too long to finish!!!  Some of my students told me later, "Don't worry, Mrs. Straughan, we still love you." 

On Sunday we went to Jesse and Allie's (originally from NOLA) to watch the Saints game.  We ;had a wonderful brunch complete with mimosas and bloody mary's--it felt like home!!

                                           It was just a perfect weekend--I couldn't ask for more.

Babysitting Libby

This weekend Becky's friends came into town for a visit, so we let Little Libb-O-Deaux hang out with us. While I was cooking dinner I heard Callie say, "I think Libby is too fat for her chair!" We obviously don't know how to put the bouncy chair together.

Then we decided to play dress up. . I wish we had some crawfish!!

Callie loves posing with Libby. She wants to teach her how to be a princess--but judging by the enormous bows Becky puts in her hair. . .I think she'll have that taken care of!!

Wonderful Birthday Weekend

When I came home from work on Friday, Chad had a surprise waiting for me---my sister, Julie!! It was a wonderful birthday surprise and I can't believe he kept it a secret.

The boys had their first basketball game, too. And despite the loss, I think Coach Chad and Coach Trevor did a good job!!

I got to have two wonderful nites out for my birthday, too. And I'm realizing that turning 35 makes it a little more difficult to recover!!

The new Saintsation!!

Some Sisterly Love

I love this pic of these two!!

Trying to teach me how to line dance--I was awful!!

Finally, a picture with his real smile!!

Some Ladies Nite Fun

Me and my Soul Sista'

What a great weekend! We had so much fun and I felt so relaxed--I didn't even think about work, or lesson plans, or grades. It was much needed--Thank you so much, Chad. You planned a wonderful weekend. Yes, you are GOLDEN for awhile.. . . just don't mess it up!!!!