We have a new cousin coming!!

Yep, you read that right...baby Andrew is going to be a big brother!  I guess we have to drop the "baby" on Andrew's name now.  We found out on December 10th about the great news while playing in the leaves in front of Gamee and Grampee's house with all the family.  Today the rest of the world got the great news from Uncle Christopher and Aunt Heather.  We cannot wait to spoil this baby and watch our family grow.  Hurry up Baby Hall, see you in July!!

Grampee's 20th Marathon

Every year I say it, but Grampee just amazes me.  Few people can actually say they have run a marathon in their life.  Even fewer have done it more than once.  Only a hero can do it 20 times in a row at the famous Houston Marathon.  Well folks, our Grampee is a HERO and did just that yesterday.  I am amazed at the level of commitment, endurance, and strength it takes.  We celebrated Saturday in preparation by having a surprise lunch that Gamee organized.  We enjoyed some good pasta and ate marathon themed cookies Gamee had ordered.  After lunch, the grandkids helped him warm up by running the side walk.  Finally, we gave our hugs and wished him well as he headed downtown to the Hilton for a good night sleep and the big day.  On Sunday, the whole family gathered again to cheer him on near the finish line.  I must say, of all the years, I think this year looked like his strongest year.  I had to laugh at the picture of him just smiling and waving as he finished 26.2 miles.  We are so proud of you Grampee and your time of 4 hr 58 mins!  You have the biggest fan club EVER and we love you!

BABY Aughinbaugh is on its way!!

Many people are blessed to have a sister to share life with.  I am blessed to not only have a sister, but a best friend who has been like a sister to me for almost 28 years!  On New Year's Eve this past year we were able to visit David and Elizabeth (Lizzy) in Dallas and ring in the new year.  While I had suspicions, my dreams came true and we found out that we had a sweet baby on its way!  I was over joyed and am already trying to contain myself from buying everything I see.  "Baby Auggie" as we call it is due around August 3rd.  Of course we had to wait to share the news until they could tell some others and send out announcement cards, so you can imagine the squeals when it finally arrived in the mail.  I CAN ANNOUNCE IT NOW!!!!  YAHHHHHOOOOOOOO!!!!  Here are a few pictures from New Years's Eve when we found out the news.  I also loved watching Cade and Caelin dance around when the invitation came (I think they were thinking I was crazy, so they joined in as always!).  So, the last picture is a pic of them holding the back of the card with the announcement.  We love you so much already Baby Auggie!

Caught on camera

Happy BD Daddy!

Happy 66th Birthday to the best Daddy I could have ever dreamed of!  Thank you for the tough love among the years, pushing me to always be my best, loving me no matter what wrong choices I made, and laughing with me in those "laugh or cry" times.  I know I can call you anytime and you would drop everything if I needed my Daddy.  I will never forget the zillion times you cleaned our hamster cage (including the time you fell and put your fist through the glass), played tea party with cookies, roasted hot dogs on my Barbie grill, made snow ice cream, and took me to the ER when my arm was broke and coming through the skin!  You are my hero and I LOVE YOU!  Hope this is the best year yet!  All the way around the world and back again...

Plexus Super Saturday

Almost 10 months ago, I started a new business with Plexus Worldwide.  It is basically a health and wellness company that allows me to help others reach their health goals.  Whether it is weight loss, better sleep, energy, appetite control, migraine relief, pain relief and more.  Our products are all natural ingredients, no artificial sweeteners, and free of GMO, Gluten and Soy.  It has been a journey that I never expected and it makes me happy to be helping others.  I love getting texts and emails with all the success stories.  The company offers several building opportunities such as Leader's Retreat (our FREE vacation to Orlando last October), Convention and Super Saturday.  This weekend I was blessed to have Mendy in town to enjoy Super Saturday with me and we met up with many of our Plexus friends.  I loved hearing the testimonies, learning more about the products and sharing the love with almost 1,000 other ambassadors in the Houston area.  Thanks Plexus for a great training and time with my friends and family!

Hello 2015 and the Cotton Bowl!

     The New Year Began with excitement and lots of hope as the #5 Baylor Bears would be taking on the #8 Michigan State Spartans in the Cotton Bowl.  We of course were to picked to win and everything was looking great (except the weather which was cold and rainy). AT&T Stadium was amazing. Even though we sat almost ten rows from the top you could see everything and no complaints could be given.
     The game early on was back and forth until mid way through the 2nd quarter and Baylor took a commanding lead that lasted well into the 4th quarter.  My favorite part of the game (and perhaps the best touchdown in HISTORY of football came when Bryce Petty threw the ball to LaQuan McGowan (#80 Offensive Lineman) for a 20 yard touchdown.  Now, this may not seem that big of a deal, but when the OL weighs in at 390lbs...this was amazing to see!  The stadium erupted with cheering and it was replayed about 10 times!  Of course, no players could lift him up in victory, so he lifted others!  However despite the 41-21 lead and and a solid showing by our offense (over 600 yards passing!) the lead was erased as Michigan State took the final lead by one point with 17 seconds left. The stadium was silent the last minute of the game as we watched in horror, but everyone comes up short sometimes in life.  Despite the loss (42 Michigan - 41 Baylor), we are still proud to be Baylor Bears and will never be wavering our loyalty.
     After the game (and long/cold/silent walk to car) we headed home to Tomball to get our sweet babies who had stayed with Gamee and Grampee.  Thanks to Gamee/Grampee for watching our precious darlings while we were away, we love you as always for what you do for our sweet babies.  We finally climbed into bed around 11pm after we unpacked and tucked everyone in bed. Although the game was not how we wanted to start 2015, what a blessing we had to be able to spend time together and go to the game.  May this year continue to bless our friends and family.  Welcome 2015, we cannot wait to see all the blessings you have in store for us!