Christmas in Houston

This was by far the best Christmas Season ever! Madelyn was so into Christmas, it was fabulous...whata great age! Madelyn was all about her 'Little People' Nativity Scene Set...she can name all the historical figures, and she LOVED celebrating Jesus' birthday (we even had a birthday party for him in her Sunday School class). Santa was good to Maddy...he brought her a red trike and some dolls (just what she freely told every one she wanted). We were able to see plenty of friends and family this Christmas Season too!

Christmas in Marlin

Ok, ok....I know it's been a while since I have updated the blog...this is a BUSY time of year...parties here and there leave you with barely enough time to manage the house! So, here are some pictures from our Christmas time in Marlin. We drove in on the 23rd and left late afternoon on Christmas Eve. We had a wonderful time catching up with family and just enjoying the cousins playing together.

It's beautifully White and Bright outside tonight!!!

Well....this is how the day ended....ahhhhhh...I wouldn't of thought this yesterday...considering I had the air conditioner on full blast in the car and partially in the house most of the day. Needless to say, we woke up to a burrrrrrr...chilly morning...wet and cold...a perfect day for sleeping in late and oh don't worry...that didn't happen. Any ways, after a great Christmas party with friends this evening, we drove home while it was "dumping" snow (so much fun...and yes, just let me use the word dumping), then we played, threw snowballs and watched our neighbors do the same....what a glorious night....for what may seem like such a normal occurance to most Americans is such a special and rare treat for us down here!!! It is so beautiful outside right now....I wish it could stay like this for a little while....but I will be glad when I don't have to worry about getting frosty hands again...which of course will be tomorrow, when the high is suppose to reach the low sixties! YES!

Thanksgiving Blessings

Well, it's hard to believe Thanksgiving week has already come and gone. Maddy's Pa Pa was in town for eight days, and she loved every minute of his visit. We drove up to Marlin, Texas, to stay with Granny & Grandpa the evening before Turkey Day...after 5 1/2 hours of stop & go traffic along I-45, Maddy was READY to move her bum and dance (see picture with her red shirt in a dance pose!) We headed to Jane & Edward Schneider's house in Franklin, Texas, to celebrate Thanksgiving Supper with the Schneider Family. The food was EXCELLENT...we definitely outdid our stomachs...and some jean buttons were loosened as a result! We returned home Thursday evening, and after lunch with Omi, Abuelito & Oma, we picked up Christy from the airport on Friday. She and Maddy had plenty a tea party over the weekend!

Time to Breath...

Well...it's ended up being another late night for me, but that's ok....this is usually the time when every one is asleep and I can go forth with "my time"...no distractions, just time to create or do whatever needs to be done....and since I have promised "regular" updates...I better make good on my word...I am no stranger for sacrificing sleep for PR projects. Brad was home and "study-free" this evening, so I was really able to spend creative time in the kitchen... tonight I baked 'roll out cookies' in the shapes of leaves (fall theme) with poured icing for Maddy's MDO 'Thanksgiving Feast' tomorrow. I have the best recipes for both if any one is ever interested.
>Is it me, or does this time of year seem to be flying by faster than usual?? I can really feel a difference since the time change...any ways, we are all doing swell here in the Mulsow Household. We had a much-needed relaxing weekend...Brad was at school, and I was able to see some good old friends from middle/high school on Friday...we all have kids now, so it was fun catching up and watching the little ones interact. Courtney had twin boys (Kyle & Luke) back in September, and Ruth is due with her second girl in late January. Her daughter Claire (16 months) reminded me so much of Maddy at this same time last year!!!
On Sunday, Brad, Maddy and I met my mother and grandmother at HAAK winery in Santa Fe...about twenty minutes drive from our house. Oma's nursing home facility had scheduled a day trip to the winery for their annual Zydeco Festival. The weather could not have been nicer, and it was wonderful seeing Oma and Omi and just listening to the live music...
Oh, and now that is Nov. 19th... Brad and I can officially celebrate our fourth wedding anniversary! YAY us! I will try and do something special on the blog as a salute...check back later this week :). Have a good one!

Yes, we are up and running!

Ok, so I know it has been FOREVER since I have blogged, but I am hoping to resume weekly blogs again and somehow prioritize my time to do so...I have officially dedicated today as "update my pages day.." ha!

This has been an extremely busy and challenging year for the Mulsow Family, and these past months have been no exception. Brad is consumed with his job and school (he is taking three classes this semester!!!), Maddy is Miss. Chatterbox and LOVES socializing, and well, me...I am trying to find time for myself and my health this season... while at the same time keeping everything running and organized within the household.

We have been very blessed over the last couple of months....since our last blog in May...we have traveled to Washington D.C., Sea World and other venues in San Antonio, Colorado for Edward and Judi's wedding, central Texas for July 4th and Brad's Austin intensive, New Orleans for family gatherings and poker playing for Brad,....we've avoided massive destruction from a devastating hurricane, started attending church services regularly again, exercised more, and just took in life more.

With all the complexities in dealing with Brad's obligations to school and work, we are looking forward to his graduation date more than ever....the countdown has been on now literally from Brad's inception into the program....and we relish the few days and moments we are together as a family of three!! Who knows where life will take us in these coming months and years!

I have not been the best photographer lately...sorry to say my "photo vault" is running low...I made sure to take a photo of Madelyn this morning before school though...rain boots and all!

I am putting together several slideshows of pictures from the last several months....see below:

Up Close and Personal

This morning Madelyn and I ended up at a place called Bayou Wildlife...it is an awesome safari-like animal adventure park that we just loved....here are a few more pics I thought were pretty cute or funny that I just had to post...

One of the many highlights...

The Ostriches were definitely not my favorite...These birds are MASSIVE!!!!

Giant camels literally in our laps...

Can you say Animal L-O-V-E-R???

Maddy and Mommy

one of the MANY crazy Emu birds...

Uhhhh Goldie...have you heard of personal space??? This guy was sitting right in front of us on the tram ride...poor thing!

This is Goldie, a golden-haired buffalo...loved him!

Happy Mother's Day!

I had an amazing Mother's Day with Madelyn and Brad. Even though I only got to see Brad for a couple of hours today, he was awesome! We went to Pappadeaux for lunch and had a nice time...check out the pics...we were trying to get one of Maddy without a mouthful of crackers, but we didn't have any luck!
Happy Mother's Day fellow Mamas! Happy Mommying!

Ball Park Babe

She is ALL about the cotton candy!Madelyn went to her first official Major League Baseball game on Saturday night to watch the Astros take on the Mariners. She absoutely loved it! She was incredibly stimulated by all the action, people and large graphic screens.

Whirlwind...

I know it's been a while since I have updated the blog...so here are just a few things going on... We have had a crazier-than-usual week here. Brad has been dealing with a take-home exam from school that is taking much of his free time (It is due Tuesday, so we will definitely be celebrating the end of this semester for him!)and he is also preparing for a turnaround at work that begins tomorrow....ugh, I don't look forward to these at all! Maddy is dealing with her two-year-old molars breaking through, and I am just trying to complete a multitude of tasks before Brad's turnaround begins next weekend(he will be working 12-14 hour nightshifts, bummer) and Maddy's MDO ends in just three SHORT weeks. Life just seems chaotic right now....and to make matters worse I had a little car accident earlier this week that added to the stress...yes, I backed OUR truck into OUR trailblazer in OUR OWN driveway!!! The entire rear door needs to be replaced....we dropped it off to be fixed this morning!! Other than that, we are doing well...every one is in good health, and we are busy, busy , busy with playdates, updating and de-cluttering the house, weddings and traveling.
Last weekend we went to visit and play tourist in New Orleans. We had been planning a short vacation there for months, and it was SOOO worth it! We had not been to New Orleans since May of 2005....almost THREE YEARS...the longest I have ever been away from the "big easy"! With the post Katrina reconstruction and birth of Madelyn, it never seemed like the right time. We really focused our trip on visiting with family, showing Maddy the sites and having date-nights...we were so relaxed and happy...and are looking forward to returning soon...hopefully with more time than we had this go-round. Here are a few picsfrom that weekend...Astrid and Maddy with Aunt Anna's famous "Rice with Chicken" dish. Maddy and daddy at the New Orleans Audubon Aquarium....an amazing place. Maddy trying to feed a cheese puff an enormous turtle at the Audubon Zoo....this zoo is incredible, our favorite so far, no doubt!Maddy had no fear when she presented with a snake...A picture of us at Pat O'Briens Piano Bar with our cousins!Aunt Anna, Uncle G and Madelyn...boy was she spoiled by them!!!We were able to return in time on Sunday to enjoy a crawfish boil at our naighbor's house...the perfect ending to a great weekend!