Christmas Time and the Livin is Easy

We are so thankful for another wonderful Christmas with family and friends. Here are a ton of pics from the Jingle Mingle and both family Christmases.

Here are some lovely beauties from the Jingle Mingle:

 

 

 Mike graced us with his lovely Christmas Story get up. Thankfully Crystal told him it was a tacky Christmas sweater party and it wasn't.

Suzy and Jamie along with our plethora of wine! We may need to limit the amount of bottles for next year.

 

So glad Grandma could make it town for the festivities. I love having her here and spending time with her.

 

 

Sweet Charlene made it this year for the first time!!

 

Gotta love my Texas Tech girl!

 

Aunt Debbie & Uncle Terry. I'd say he has adjusted well to living in Texas and coming from London.

                                                            Another successful party!

 

 

Cheese!! Part of the crew cerebrating!!

 

The white elephant was a great success this year! All sorts of lovely treasures like a picture of the shoups, the crib dribbler from John and Rach, Christmas vacation t-shirt, lots of Duck Dynasty gear, and the much envied
Ladie's Night Out frame!

 

Formal pictures with the Mithcell's

 

 

Another special guest, Kelly!! She made it in town fro L.A. that day and still came. So fun to have her over!

Notice the flash in the mirror, Bryan wanted to make sure he made the photo too. You can tell Rach and I appreciate that.

 

 Then we decided that since we had so much room for activities that we would do a little pyramid action. I think this may be a new tradition! Ill let the girls chime in on that one.

 

Then I said put your arms up...talking to the girls and Bryan totally blew our "base". Hah I guess he missed cheer camp this past summer.

                                               Then comes our "flyer" Rachie Reindeer.

                                                            Three levels, wohoo!!

 

High school besties

 

Christmas day at the McLerran's with my sweet Haley

 

Sisters

 

                                         

                                                       
              Sweet Mom & Dad. So thankful for their life and love for us all. We are so blessed by them!

 

 

 

                                                 Dirk opening up his Christmas present

 

 

                                                     Liz showing him how it's done

 

 

                                                 The ladies practicing for the talent show

 

                                    Brad & Britt with little Bowen for his first Christmas!

 

Our group praying looked like the people of whoville from the Grinch

 

                                Some of the Allish-Zamora girls and Caroline with Johnny & Rach

 

Dad and Brad after performing their talent...the cartwheel

 

                                                  Steph and Caroline workin the cups

 

     John and Rachel shared some jokes. "You know you're a Cavanaugh when....you're given a golden retriever and it's followed up with a track.

               Happy Birthday to Ian!! Can't believe this guy is 14, where has the time gone!!

 

Christmas was great at Steph's! She always does a nice job of hosting.

 

Baker Christmas

 

Enjoying the beautiful fire place that Jim built.

 

So thankful for another Christmas and having Bryan's dad healthy!

What a miracle it is to have him with us and doing so well!

 

Bubbles all decked out with nails painted to boot!

 

Grandma with Natalee & Emily

 

Group shot!

 

Loved the kids outfits!

 

Cheers to another great year and thankful for everything the Lord has provided in our lives. Amazing family and friends, fun memories together and being able to enjoy all of it because of the life we are given through His son! Merry Christmas, Love the Bakers!!!

 

 

 

 

Holy Moly it's been too long...

Ok so I think I will attempt the blog world again since we officially have a functioning computer now, wohoo!! I'm sure I can't recap everything that has happened in our lives since January of 2012 though. I'll do my best and it may be out of order but at least it's out there! Here are the major highlights that have occurred since then: -New job for me working for a family in Ft. Worth as a personal assistant/nanny -New puppy, Dirk!

-New home...one street over from the old one

-Two new sister in laws <3

-New nephew, sweet baby Bowen who we get to meet on Tuesday!! Many wonderful things in our life and we are so blessed and thankful for all the Lord provides. Looking forward to my 30th year starting tomorrow, wohoo!! More on that to come...

London

I'm slightly behind considering my last post was in October! So much has happened between then and now. I'll try and start with day 1 of our trip to London. I was blessed to be able to meet Bryan over in London after his 2 weeks of being in Ireland. We stayed with Aunt Debbie in Kingston. It was a gorgeous town and Terry and Debbie were wonderful hosts!

Here are the beautiful flowers that Bryan greeted me at the airport with



Our first stop was a walk through the town.



Bryan was so sweet and took me to Links to pick out my birthday present.



Then we went with Terry and Debbie to Hampton Court (Where Henry the VIII last lived). We did the full tour and learned all about the history.







T-Bone and Debbie



I found myself a little wine to bring back home

















We got lost in the maze...



Then finally found the center...



The rose garden was amazing





That night we went to Jamie Oliver's restaurant. It was a great first day with Bryan, Debbie and Terry!

Celebrating 2 years!

This past month Bryan and I celebrated our second anniversary! Wohoo! It feels like it has been much longer than that, in a good way, I think that's because we have already done so much together. We enjoy married life and I can't imagine it any other way. We are continually working to grow closer together and I can only hope we'll be that cute old couple one day.

Bryan and I decided to alternate planning our anniversary each year, so I have the even years and he gets the odd. I decided to do something a little different. I booked a hotel for one night in Rockwall on Lake Ray Hubbard. It was a nice hotel on the water. We got there around 3 and watched the A&M game out at the pool bar, sadly for Bryan A&M lost.



After that we got ready for dinner and walked down to Gloria's. We saw an amazing sunset. I feel like they follow us:)



Then we went out on a 40 ft. catamarran sailboat with Captain Scott. He built the boat himself and his first mate is his wife, which is so cute. Not in a cheesy way like in the wedding crashers speech. It was cool to go sailing at night. We took the 9 pm moonlight cruise. It was perfect weather and you can bring your own drinks too. I would totally recommend it!


(from Scott's Facebook account)




It was a great time and I'm so thankful for Bryan and our marriage. I'm looking forward to many more years together.

Bryan's Sixth Annual 29th Birthday!

Bryan's birthday was a success! We went out to dinner on his birthday at Wolfgang Puck's 560 in reunion tower. It was right before sunset so we got some great pictures! We also were able to traffic control of downtown Dallas too, and saw a wreck happen, not cool.







The dinner was great! I had quail and Bryan got the fillet. I think Bob's is still our favorite but it was a great view and good food too!





Then for the big birthday bash we had everyone over at the house



Corrie and me



Jason and Bryan



Grant, Johnny and Brad all in grey



Rachel made a delicious chocolate cake that everyone loved! I wish I was a terrific baker like her!



Rachel, Crystal, me and Lindsey





Bryan and his little sister Debra



Jamie and Jeremy



Me and the boys!



Happy Birthday Bryan!!