I learned...

It is okay to be who you are. As you can see we are complete goofballs around here.

Bowling

Check out the lean~

We took Cameron bowling for the first time while we were in San Angelo. Apparently Eric spent much time at this bowling alley because his mom belonged to a league. I learn new things about his childhood everyday. I would never have guessed that Elaine was a bowler. Anyway, we had a really great time. It was so much fun to watch Cameron get excited over every roll that she performed. She was also Eric and my biggest cheerleader. She greeted us with a huge hug whether we got a strike or a gutterball. I got mostly gutterballs, but she made me feel like the best bowler in San Angelo. Afterwards we topped the night off with a steak dinner at Zetner's Daughter. Yummm-o!

Christmas

Christmas came a few days early at the Briley house. Thank goodness we have a direct line to Santa so that we could let him know about our trip to San Angelo. He was able to make it to our house a couple of days before Christmas. He didn't disappoint either! Both of my sweeties were thoroughly happy with their gifts. I especially love the picture of Eric hugging his new iPhone. He really does love his gadget that much.


Cookies out for Santa


Momma loves this gift. Yea for no messes!

I think there may be a picture of me riding my new Huffy bike with a banana seat. I think that is why I like this picture of Cameron on her new bike from Memaw.

Love isn't a strong enough word to describe his feelings for the new iPhone.

Barbie dream house from Santa

One of these people was ready to get up and open presents. Can you guess which one?

GoGo from Mimi and Big Guy

They both gave each other an iPad. The looks on their faces were priceless!

Thanksgiving

Papa and the grandkids

I love these two girls!

Nana and her future Aggies

Aren't we a great looking group?

This was the final picture of the over 50 we took.

Cameron and John Lee

Better late than never is my philosophy these days. Here are some of our favs from Thanksgiving with the Mathis crew.

Devilishly Good Halloween

Happy Halloween!!!!

You have the right to remain silent, Pablo!

No worries, he wasn't smuggling any drugs. Just here to reroof your house.

We're such nerds.

She was trying so hard to be evil.

Sweet little devil.

She probably ran 1 mile stopping briefly at each house for candy.

Our little gobblin.

Happy Halloween!!!

H is for Horrible Hair Day

Kindergarten is full of wonderful activities that allow the kids to express themselves and act silly. Friday was Horrible Hair Day after learning the letter H. We had to do our prep work the night before by sleeping in sponge rollers and picking out as many large colorful bows as we could find.

The kids were a sight to see as they came down the hallway each with a different signature look. The principal even made a surprise appearance in each classroom (even mine) wearing a rocker black and red wig that I loaned her.

Sorry the pictures are grainy. I am still learning to shoot pictures in manual mode so I don't have to use the harsh flash. Apparently, I still have some learning to do.

quiet moments

Every afternoon Cameron and I come home from school and she spends a little time playing before Dad comes home gets her all riled up. Here is one of those peaceful moments before the squealing and chasing ensues.

trying to learn better photography

I have been reading a photography blog written by a girl I worked with years ago in Abilene. My goal is to make myself a better amateur photographer. I obviously won't be quitting my day job anytime soon. Her lesson this week has been changing the focal point while shooting in manual mode. Here are my few attempts that were worthy of publishing.

First Goal

Cameron scored her first soccer goal. You can tell by her reaction that she isn't quite sure it really happened.

More Soccer Pictures

Ball handling drills

Dribbling practice

offense/defense drill

pretending to be a deer before the game

team huddle

getting in there to get the ball

a very tired little girl after the game.

World Cup? Not yet!

I am officially a soccer mom! I really kind of hoped that it would never happen to me seeing as I think soccer is tremendously boring, but I am now a changed woman. Soccer being played by inexperienced 5 year olds is over-the-top entertaining. Down right hysterical! Cameron and The Wildthings (how appropriate) are 1-0. I wasn't really sure how she'd take to this sport since she is timid about things, but I forgot how competative she is. She hates to be beat at anything! And for this sport it is a good character trait to have. Cameron was a hustling machine out there on the field. She wasn't afraid to dig in there and try to steal the ball from the other team. She even managed to knock down some big red headed kid. The coach seems to think she may have some pretty natural abilities. Guess only time will tell. As for now, we will be spending every Saturday being entertained by our mini Pele.

Check out the hustle of #2

1st Day of Kindergarten

Packed up & ready for the 1st day



Cameron & her Bestie Hannah.

A family picture before we all start our first day of the new school year.