Cornelius Chronicles

 Loyd has decided it's time for him to earn a living.  He is opening his own bank.  He promises to be a fair lender and work with his siblings on their debts, but there are rules that must be followed.  :D  For the Bank of Loyd I promise to not to disobey Loyd's rules. 1. Do not 0 corn Cash or you have to pay 3 corn cash (overdraft fees already!) 2. If you have a super bank "cost 5 $" No one can barrow from you (making sure you're solvent before lending to others is important) 3. No whining (life rule) Those are the rules.   ***** Rebekah has been having a great time learning how to fence at the League City Recreation Center.  All she wanted for Christmas was her own fencing gear.  Now all she wants is her own dagger.  What have we got ourselves into?  ;D

  I love this little boy!  John is too cute for words.  He brightens my day every day with his adventurous attitude, love of my company, and these adorable baby grins!  We love you Baby John!  Enjoying the beautiful sunshine and warm afternoon outside with siblings while checking out the backyard in his favorite new toy - the walker!  Look out world, John's got wheels! Looking handsome and ready for Church in his bow-tie. 

It's the end of an era.  After 15 years of faithful service it was time to say goodbye to our trusty green 1997 Toyota Camry.  We sent her off as a donation to Houston PBS.  It helped to take some of the sadness of seeing this great car go.  It saw our family through a lot of changes and growing over the years.  This car drove Dustin to buy my engagement ring, drove Dustin and I home for the first time after we were sealed in the Ogden Temple, moved our little family of 3 across country to League City, Texas, drove me to and from the hospital for the births of Rebekah, Loyd, Xavier, Maeve, Owen, and John.  It was a faithful commuter car to and from work for Dustin for many years.  We loved our Toyota and it will always have a special place in our heart.  Thank you Green Shadow!  It's been a great ride! 

To kick Christmas break off right Dustin and I had a great time eating a festive holiday lunch at the elementary school with Loyd and Xavier.  I just love these special boys and all the adventure and challenge they bring into my life.   We also took advantage of the long break from our regular school schedule to redecorate Rebekah and Maeve's bedroom.  We had too much fun thinking of how we wanted to change their room, shopping for furniture at Ikea, and then watching the vision come to life as we built and cleaned and organized their new look for their room.  Everyone is very happy with the results.  The girls are loving the newfound organization and wiggle room.  I'm loving how easy it is to keep clean, the fact that we have less stuff, and how cute it looks in here now.  What a fun way to spend a week with Rebekah!

Check out our newest winner of a Ferguson Elementary Character Award!  We are so proud of Maeve for being a loving example of what it means to have good citizenship.  She shows love and concern for her classmates and tries her hardest to make sure she is listening to her teachers and doing the right things.  I just love this little girl and I'm so proud of her and all the wonderful things she does each day to bring joy and love into the world.    Maeve with her amazing teacher, Mrs Stroud.  He are so blessed this year to have one of the most amazing Kindergarten teachers I have ever met.  Thank you Ms Stroud for loving and teaching our little girl this year! Maeve with her fellow Ferguson Elementary Kindergarten Citizenship award winners.  Go Sailors!

Christmas brings a whole lot of activity and fun around here.  Here's a few more snapshots of all the fun we've had December 2018! Rebekah had a wonderful afternoon of fun decorating Tangee and Legacy's cage for the Christmas season.  After she was done they lived in a genuine world of Christmas cheer. It was Owen's year for the Trooper School Preschool Christmas party.  It was so much fun.  Owen and his preschool friends entertained all of the family who came with adorable Christmas songs, felt total shock and excitement when Santa unexpected entered the party, and enthusiastically ripped wrapping paper from hand delivered gifts strait from St. Nick himself.  At the very end we all enjoyed some yummy Christmas treats and took our happy and tired kids home. One of my favorite things that came from all the preparations for the preschool party was Owen's newfound love for the songs "Jingle Bells" and "Santa Clause is Coming to Town."  We&