Happy Birthday, Papa!

We celebrated Papa's birthday at the Walden Yacht Club! We enjoyed a wonderful dinner followed by a yummy birthday cake at Papa's house!


The Birthday Boy

Meredith and Carson help Papa celebrate!

Meredith joins Papa on the dance floor for a birthday dance

The cake

Papa has some help blowing out the candle!

Rub a Dub Dub, Three Cousins in the Tub!

Meredith had so much fun spending a few days with her cousins! I couldn't resist this cute tub shot!

A HAPPY REUNION!

About a year and a half ago, Meredith and I fell in love with a homeless lab puppy that was roaming the neighborhood. Meredith named him "Swiss Cheese!" A friend of ours helped us find a home for our beloved "Swiss Cheese, " and now his name is "Pepper Jack." We were sooooooo excited that "Jack" aka "Swiss Cheese" and his mommy agreed to come visit us! What a wonderful reunion!

La Di Spa

OMG! For anyone who has not yet been to La Di Spa, this is a must! We are so excited to have found a mother/daughter spa right here in Austin! Meredith enjoyed a milkshake pedicure with sparkly pink hearts in the nailpolish & a manicure complete with sparkly blue polish! Mommy had one of the BEST pedicures that she has ever had and a mini mani! We can't wait to go back!

Christmas 2008

Jingle Bellas

Meredith thought that it would be funny to try her antlers on Bella!

'Twas The Night Before Christmas

It has become tradition for us to spend Christmas Eve at Grandma's house. After eating a yummy fried shrimp dinner, Santa makes his annual "surprise" appearance! Santa gives out gifts and reads The Night Before Christmas to Meredith.

The Christmas Photo

JOY TO THE WORLD!
the rathmann's

Breakfast In Bethlehem

Meredith's kindergarten class celebrated Christmas by having a Breakfast in Bethlehem themed party! The kids wore their pajamas,ate a yummy breakfast, played pin the nose on Rudolph, put gifts in each other's stockings, and listened to the Christmas Story.

Breakfast with Santa

One of our favorite holiday traditions is attending the Nordstrom's Breakfast with Santa. Thank you, Jesse, for always making this event so special!

A Star Is Born!

Meredith looked so beautiful for her winter dance recital! She performed to the song "Kiss the Girl" from the movie Little Mermaid.

Let it Snow! Thanksgiving 2008

Snow Angel



We decided to spend Thanksgiving snow skiing in Ruidoso, New Mexico! After two days of lessons, Meredith was flying down the slopes!



What a View!

Every time we see a Gingerbread house, I can't help but be reminded of one of Meredith's favorite bedtime stories. Meredith just loves the story of Hansel and Gretel! I think that it is because if you can overlook the mean old witch, it is pretty cool that the kids discover a life size house made of candy! Meredith enjoys making her own Gingerbread house every Christmas with her Grandmother,so she decided to take notes on the amazing candy houses they had on display at the hotel!


"Dashing through the snow, in a one horse open sleigh..." We took a horse drawn sleigh ride through the upper canyon & Meredith got to be the co-pilot!