Our Photo Shoot with Santa

This week wasn't just another photo shoot at Auntie Lisa's....it was THE holiday shoot! We had a half a dozen costume changes...Santa (Lisa's wonderful Daddy) was there in his gilded cream colored robe. If anyone has never seen my friend Lisa Jane in action (photographing children) they have not lived a full life. She has the patience of Jobe, the precision of Dr Denton Cooley and the antimated wit of Elmo -- not to mention a support team (Tessa and Melissa) more skilled than the Secret Service! The children absolutely love being at this magical fairyplace - Sinclair especially. Of course I have to remind myself Lisa Jane has been shooting photos of Sinclair since she was 3 minutes old! I often give consideration to school pictures and how she will react to the standard photographer when he doesnt have fairy dust, or that sings to her and does not show her each digital slide as he takes it. I don't want to be within a five mile range when that goes down!

Sinclair took 95% of her photos with her blackberry --this child has a one track mind (cannot imagine where she got it). You know Lisa loves what she does afterwards she took the time to stop and read to Sinclair her favorite book. This woman is such an angel! As soon as I strapped her in she fell asleep -- its a great workout but its two hours of hard labor!

Before I sign off on today's post....I just want to say YES I know (so you can stop email me "did you see?") about the Texas Monthly article. I have fended off a few emails from people that read it wrong. If everyone rereads what my dear friend Mimi wrote, she was actually being very complimentary (note paragraph: "in contrast") so everyone hold off on the stinging emails! Mimi is too talented of a writer to be filtering through unwarranted emails.

From One Ham to Another.....

I am not sure why these photos crack me up but they do! Veronica took these the other day....Sinclair discovered her first real piece of ham. She savored every last bite!! This little girl is a Texan to the core!

'Tis the Season....

Tonight we ventured out to get our Christmas tree. Before we left Sinclair needed to get her sunglasses. Not sure what she thought was going to blind her at 7 at night but she was prepared regardless. Technically, this is Sinclair's second Christmas but the first one she can start to enjoy. When we got to the Christmas tree nursery her face lit up like it was 1000 string of lights of high wattage bulbs. We narrowed it down between two 9-10' Frasier Furs. We all decided we should go with the bigger one. Hailey carried her up close to the trees and when she touched them her eyes got so big. I told her we would cover it in lights and Santa would bring lots of presents to put underneath. As we were checking out she went straight to the lights and tried to open a box at the counter. She was quite disappointed when we had to put them back. By Friday the "Flower Fairies" will come over and wave their magic wands and all the decor will mysteriously appear!

Lone Star Shootout

Friday morning (turkey not yet digested) we were up at the crack of dawn (everyone dressed in the prerequisite maroon)....as far as college football goes this is the biggest weekend of the season all the biggest state rivals play one another (Texas A & M vs TU, Alabama vs Auburn, OU vs Oklahoma State, MSU vs Ole Miss - you get the picture) -- this was going to be a sad day no matter how the outcome....we knew it our hearts it was going to be Coach Fran's last game coaching for the Aggies. Change is always discombobulating for either party. John and I had become pretty good friends of Coach Fran and Kim....its sad to know they are leaving. Like many that know their field of strengths he too, will land on his feet.I took two of my girlfriends that had never been to an Aggie game at Kyle Field. One of my friends, Shanae is about as big of a UT fan as they come. She went to Texas on a track scholarship (who knew that skinny white girl could run so fast) John had a ball showing her around -- they watched the band march in, went on the field and got the full tour. John and Shanae talked trash the whole way to the game - they were very funny! Amanda, on the other hand was content with me in our toasty suite on the 40 yard line. I brought my telephoto lens and shot these of the band, Reveille, the core and the boys in maroon and white making their last visit on the field this season. My dear friend Estela went to aTm as well -- she was in the Bahamas for Turkey Day (floating around on her in-laws burnt orange mega-yacht) but her fabulous parents got to join me. They were so precious and biting their nails during the entire game!! Mr S was so patient explaining all the detailed plays to Sylvia and I! I think that was the engineer traits in him!





Estela's precious parents...

aTm All-American and NFL Hall of Famer, Jacob Green popped in and out during the game -- when we were up 17 to 0 (Texas was favored by 9) Jacob came by and did the "we are taking this puppy to the house" groove!

Texas A & M and SEC coaching legend, Jackie Sherrill stopped by to share a victory hug too!! Total sweetheart!

Oh the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat! Shanae was deflated the entire trip back to Houston! When she got back to our house she sent out this blanket email to all her friends describing the day....pretty funny!

From: Shanae

Sent: Saturday, November 24, 2007 10:13 AM
Subject: If I can

Before i recap the events that took place yesterday, i would like to preface this e mail by stating ONCE again with regard to Texas football the following: THEY SUCK!!

I got up at 5 am yesterday, and began seeing the Eyes Of Texas quietly to myself. My orange and white tabby kitten chimed in. (he likes to harmonize) Seeing a theme here? I live for one purpose, my heart beats for ONE purpose.....Texas football.

I looked at my UT watch and thought i have plenty of time to catch my 7 30 flight to Houston, so i went upstairs, admired my beautifully framed UT diploma, then sat on my burnt orange couch (insert theme here) and watched some ESPN. After they made their very LOGICAL prediction that Texas would hand the Aggies their a$$es to them. I smiled, laughed, skipped out the door anticipating giving a rash of S*&%*&^t to my sister's Aggie boss the WHOLE way to AND from College Station.

I didn't realize how long it would take me to get to the airport and believe me it makes a HUGE difference when someone drops you as opposed to parking yourself. (ya try finding a parking spot at an airport the day after Christmas.) I hope the EXXON i parked at in EL PASO, TX didn't tow my car.
I have now put Carl Lewis to shame while carrying a two ton purse and LV bag full of clothes. I get to check in (Texas fight, Texas fight and beat up on A & M singing to tune of Texas fight song in back of my head) I know realize it is 7 10 and desperation has fully set in. At the top of lungs, I beg, "People, life as i know it will end if i miss this plane, can I PLEASE butt in front of all you." Clearly a sympathetic group, they let me in front of them. (nice actually cuz i've let people butt in front of me before)

So i've boarded the plane. Half the people on it were wearing burnt orange. High fives all around. Everyone yelling HOOK EM, GET YOUR HORNS UP, etc etc etc. I'm still happy at this point.

I'll cut to the chase. I arrive at "Mista S" and KK's house (their personal driver brought me there ....i so love that they roll like that) and this FOOL, who happens to be my sister's boss, has the AGGIE fight song playing all over Chez Chaos. I thought i was bad humming the EYES OF TEXAS quietly to myself. Oh no, he was actually playing their fight song. Too funny! So we loaded up. Poor Mista' S is heading to a football game with two totally over the top girly girls and at least one (me) half female. (at least all three of us were all hot. I'm sure envy and sorrow ran through every man's mind. I mean it's cool to be with two hot women and one hot half woman, but still at a football game? kudos to "Mista S"- most men aren't this brave) I talked smack ALL the way to Bryan, because clearly I don't own a crystal ball.

Aggie campus is very bizarre to me. Out of nowhere pops up this HUGE campus. I was very impressed as in case you haven't noticed, I've ever been there. "Mista S" took me to see the Aggies march in. I got the whole damn tour. This is just insanity!!!!!! All these very serious people are marching down the street. It was so cool and really admirable. (maybe UT could find half that kind of pride we might WIN when we play them!)

OK - only one person offended me yesterday which for me is pretty good. I did have one Aggie fan yell "you suck" in my face. Not cool and unnecessary. Overall though I gave A and M and fans an A+

I couldn't believe how huge the stadium was! I had it in my head A & M was little....NOT! A+ for stadium. I have ever attending a college game in another stadium. What a experience!

So like 4 minutes into the game i see how this is going down. For second year in a row, i will be eating Longhorn crow! ...Apparently i found my crystal ball in my purse, because i could now predict the future.

OK - so here's the most painful experience in life. I'm sitting in Aggie stadium, with a bigshot Aggie, having to admit the Aggies deserved to win, and still enjoying myself. Here's my theory. If your team just goes out and sucks, they deserve to lose. And to make matters worse, I was so disgusted with Longhorns complete disregard for Aggie tenacity (as they have disregarded last two years) I stood and clapped for their fight song! When a team deserves respect, you must give it.

So now Shanae is no longer humming Texas fight song. I'm sure my cat curled up in shame (i left the game on for him at my house) "Mista S" was kind enough to keep his razing to a minimum. Then we went to the Dixie Chicken. (I am telling you I got the WHOLE Aggie experience) We didn't stay long (not a real KK kind of hangout but she took one for the team) but i wanted to full A&M tradition experience....you know, Aggie band, Dixie Chicken, and ACTUALLY WINNING!

Needless to say, I was A LOT quieter on the way home. I think that's what you call having the wind taken out of your sails.

Thanks Mista S! The game experience was awesome but the game from my perspective blew!

Completely demoralized Longhorn,
Shanae

These I snapped that night taking the dogs for a walk --- the cold front has snapped through this past weekend - Sinclair went and grabbed her Hermes blanket and was ready to do her dog duty!

WE SANG "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" WHILE THE THREE AMIGOS TOOK OVER SEATTLE

Saturday night was my niece, Danielle's 21st birthday! Maybe I am just being extra melancholy lately but it seems like only last week I was celebrating MY 21st!!! Life is happening way too fast! Honestly it seemed like not that long ago we were celebrating John and Sherri's 21st too! They were proud parents!

Our immediate family were all on hand to celebrate which was a treat to see Daniel and Veronica twice in one day-- we also had our extended family. Jack Rains and Kitty, Sam Douglass and (naturally) Melissa -- who was just thrilled she wasn't at home watching the OU game with Jake (They lost to Texas Tech) --- Chef Dean knocked it out of the park and did an amazing feast of butternut squash and apple soup, wild mushroom strudel, filet of beef in a pinor noir sauce complimented with a tasty Stags Leap Cab and of course no birthday is complete without TWO cakes -- a lemon vacheron and a chocolate mousse torte. Melissa both agreed the 21st birthday is about the last time you can indulge in two cakes and it not show in your waistline!

Sweet, gorgeous John jetted to Seattle for the NFL game today with our dear friend and fellow Aggie Jacob Green -- Jacob was a former aTm All- American and Seattle Seahawk. JG is prominently displayed in the Seahawk's "Ring of Honor" and the "Hall of Fame" - not to mention he is very loved as one of Texas A & M's most distinguished athletic alums.

This first photo was snapped on the sidelines as the Seattle Seahawks beat the Chicago Bears. I personally just think of Jacob as a big ol' teddy bear -- to me, it is hard to imagine him playing rough and mean Defensive End that set all those records and sacked those QB's. John proudly reported after Jacob took he and Jim Wilson to all his favorite haunts, the owners box and dinner with the NFL Commissioner....today as they watched from the sidelines I got a field report that "Jacob is nothing short of baby Jesus in Seattle." I received a follow up that a "mob of fans swarming for Jacob's autograph had to be buffered by security." JG is SUCH a rock star! Naturally, Jacob's "awwww shucks" humility is one of the things we love about him the most!

Friday night ....back at the ranch, Part Duex

This past Friday John and I loaded up the Caddy and went out to Sinclair's Godfather's ranch. Meredith has a gorgeous place he just finished building about an hour and a half NE of Houston. Not surprisingly, the Cullen Ranch lacks for NOTHING! Bird, hog and deer hunting - five star meals (We LOVE Chef Ron) and 100o count Egyptian Cotton sheets!

These boots are made for walking.....

Cowboys boots were fun but Sinclair covered a lot more ground in her pink Uggs --- let me rephrase, the ground covered her!! She was FILTHY within a few minutes of arrival and loving every minute of it!

Big brother, Daniel is always good for bringing grins and giggles

Sinclair's other Godfather Cornelius and her Godmother, Melissa were there. Along with big brother Daniel and Veronica with Uncle Leeds and Steph. My girlfriend (former Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader) Tracy flew in from Dallas -- we got to celebrate her milestone birthday. As my Mom pointed out, it is so hard to believe she and I have been friends over 15 years! Melissa and I have been friends almost twenty years!!! Someone please stop the clock....I feel ancient!

"Uncle Meredith, can I have a duck decoy for Christmas??"