November 2008 - Second Part of the Second half (Pinard Holiday Stuff)

We got to spend some time with Francois' family too while we were home. We opted out of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner this year (I was so excited!) and just relaxed and enjoyed each other's company at Maggiano's. Andre and Gretchen were able to bring Faye (yay! for cousins), Laurel and Jean were there of course, and we brought two of our friends from San Angelo - Chris and Drew. Maggiano's is seriously so yummy! Francois definitely enjoyed eating bowls (and bowls) of their mussels. And then we all ate plates and plates of their pasta.

We spent the rest of the day just hanging out at the house playing games and relaxing. I got a couple really great shots of Andre and Gretchen with Giselle and Anais - I couldn't pass up posting them. Anais then helped Grandma decorate the Christmas tree. Laurel has such incredible patience and tenderness with Anais - I love watching them play and work together. All in all, I thought it was one of the best holiday breaks we've had with everybody!

November 2008 - First Part of the Second half (Cowboys Game and Paulson Holiday Stuff)

We were able to come home (back to Dallas) for Thanksgiving break -and we had such good time visiting with family and friends. Jessica and I took Anais and Giselle to Stonebriar Mall to ride the carousel - one of Anais' favorite things to do! As you can see... that one ride must have really worn her out!






On Thanksgiving Day, Francois and I went to a Cowboys Game. Anais was really excited too - because she got a jersey to support the team! She wore it all day - and especially liked cleaning Grandma's floor with it on. =) Francois was able to get some really great shots of the game! I just put in two of my favorites - the DCC! they were amazing and Tony Romo running out onto the field. The whole day was so much fun!



The next day, we had a birthday party for Anais at Mimi and Papa's house. She was so happy - look at that little face! She loved the boots (and now she can match Taylor!) and all the other Fancy Nancy girly things she got and loves.



Great-Grandma Chamberlin got to spend some time with the girls- Anais loved playing her newly acquired Candyland game with her, and Giselle just wanted to cuddle. Isn't that what good grandmas are for?

November 2008 - First half and Anais' 3rd BDAY!

Okay... so I am only now - sadly - getting this thing updated. I am going to pick up where I left off and update everyone on how we've been doing since last November. It was a big month for us, as was December, so I will probably have to break everything down into a couple parts. November started war week and Field Training for Francois as he was finishing up the last bit of his training. To demonstrate their "brotherhood", the guys all grew mustaches - which I affectionately called "woman repellers". Take a look and judge for yourself...

Next up in November was Anaïs' 3rd Birthday Party! Can you believe it? 3! She wanted a Tinkerbell theme so we went with it and decorated everything with fairies (the 6 boys in attendance LOVED it I am sure!). Her cake was a Tinkerbell Cupcake Cake - easier to disassemble - and she loved licking the frosting off each cupcake. She enjoyed her presents and got in a call to Aunt Sasa before we got starting unwrapping. Giselle, as usual, was in a happy frame of mind for the party and -finally - after we tired both of the girls out, they went down for naps and the boys (and maybe even me) played Rock Band for the better part of the afternoon.