Wednesday, December 21, 2011

2011 Christmas Card

For the book....


Merry Christmas from The Parsons!  We hope that you are having a wonderful 2011!  It’s hard to believe that 2012 is right around the corner.

We have officially settled into to our new normal this year, and are finding it easier to call to San Diego home…..I mean, how hard can it be?  The year round gorgeous weather, driving home from work looking at the ocean, and building amazing friendships have made it pretty easy.  However, missing friends & family draws us back to Houston at least a couple of times a year…..that, and Tex-Mex food.

Graham just celebrated his second birthday!  He’s a “bull in a china shop” as Andy lovingly refers to him, but a pretty cute one at that.  Although he’s quite the mover and charmer, talking has come a little more slowly.  We’re hearing new words every day, but he still refers to his sister as, “Ass”…not getting the rest of her name quite yet.  It makes us laugh every time.  The boy is OBSESSED with Cars, airplanes, trains; pretty much anything that moves on wheels. 

Addison is full of personality!  She is 3 ½ going on 13.  She LOVES her new school and seems to be making lots of new friends.  However, if you ask her who her best friend is, without hesitating, she’s say her brother Graham.  She also loves to tell him what to do, take whatever he’s playing with, and wants to marry him someday, so there are a few “kinks” to be worked out in the relationship.  Addison is very into crafts, puzzles, and princesses.
She asks to go to Disneyland just about every week.  While, we haven’t been able to fulfill the weekly request, we have gotten a lot of use out of our family pass, since Anaheim is just an hour away.  This bodes well for Addison.
                 
Andy and I finally got to get away for a long weekend thanks to his parents in October.  We drove up to Santa Barbara and spent 3 glorious days segway driving, sightseeing, and wine tasting.  We ended the weekend with a day at Disneyland WITHOUT the kids.  Andy has met a great group of guys, which works out well for me since their wives are some of my closest friends out here.  He’s working on planning more golf outings, poker nights, and down time in the coming year.  Good luck on that one.  No really, he deserves it and needs it!  Especially after that Iowa State game.

I am loving the sweet friendships that God has blessed me with out here, but sometimes struggle to balance that with nurturing lifelong relationships back home.  Fortunately, my friends understand what a busy phase of life we are all in.  Thank goodness for blogs!  I still love to work on our family blog, http://parsons411.blogspot.com/, but it has taken a little bit of a backseat in the past few months while I spend time getting my new photography business off the ground.  It’s exciting and scary, but I’m really enjoying the experience I’m gaining by practicing on such cute families!
If you are looking for some sunshine, please come visit us!  We welcome visitors as long as they stash away Chuy’s Creamy Jalapeno to bring with them.  We wish you and your family a wonderful year ahead filled with love and God’s blessings.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

With love,
Andy, Melissa, Addison & Graham

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