A Christmas Affair 2011

Thanksgiving Recap

We went to East Texas for thanksgiving to my Family's Ranch. The weather was so nasty but we did not let that stop us! Turkey day boring bright and early Ganny, Rodney and I went to the 1st annual Palestine Turkey Trott.

Then it was off to Grandmother's house we go for lunch...

 And what is thanksgiving with out massages and acrobatics? 

 Then an afternoon to visit the Herrington side of the family. It's always nice to catch up with this side of the family we only get to see a few times a year. 

Cousins. Yes thats one big age gap! 

Then back to Austin for a little R & R! 

Ryker turns 5!

Happy 5th Birthday to my 1st baby, Ryker. You have been with us threw it all lil guy. Even when you don't want to be your the most popular guy in the house. You let Campbell drag you around on a leash, put bows in your hair and sprinkles in your food. With age you have grown calmer and more tolerant of you 2 legged & 4 legged sisters. You have also stopped being a "runner", well at least for me but not so much for Dad.
So on your birthday we are going to let you do your two favorite things: hang out the window of the car and sleep!

Look Who's back!

And it looks like our friend Merkle has a love interest!

Happy Thanksgiving from our Family to Yours

Wishing you Love and Many Blessings this Thanksgiving! 

The Collins

Our little pumpkin (3 1/2)

Campbell & friends playing at the Pumpkin farm

Fall fun with mommy in a funny hat! 

This may sound Corny

But that's some cute corn!
Miss C made this at school as one of her art projects.




The students made there very own vegetable soup in class today! They read the children's book "vegetable soup" then everyone was assigned a veggie to bring to class to contribute to the making of there very own vegetable soup. Miss was in charge of.... Corn of course!

Top holiday card trends for 2011 Yes, it's already time to order holiday cards. Heed these fresh trendspotting tips from our favorite stationery know-it-alls, and we bet your card gets displayed on more than a few mantles. Neon. "Neon colors are going to be hot this year," says Cheree Berry, founder of Cheree Berry Paper. "Fluorescent pink is the new fuchsia!" Your own handwriting. "In this age of simply uploading a photo and clicking BUY, a hand-written note on the back is a welcome addition," says Chelsea Reale, co-founder of Sissy + Marley. Celebrating late. Or early. Mariam Naficy, founder of Minted notes that she's receiving many more orders for Thanksgiving and New Year's cards this year. Fun statistics. "Some people are taking a quantitative approach to the family newsletter," says Naficy, explaining that she's seeing lots of cards with key family stats from the year. "Think number of diapers changed, cupcakes baked, or sleepovers." Lots of "Merry This" And "Peace That." Merry in various forms (Merry Merry, Merry Everything, Be Merry) is a big greeting this year," Naficy says. "We also have a lot more cards with Peace on Earth or Peace or some sort of global connection on offer this year." Colorful clothes. "White shirts are out. Although I definitely have dressed my family in white in years past," Naficy says. "People are having lots of fun playing with patterns and accessories." Custom stamps. "Almost every client wants that matching stamp to go along with the family's holiday card," says Ceci Johnson, founder of Ceci New York. "It's a little detail that really completes the look." Reale adds,  "And coordinating address labels are the icing on the cake." A little something on the back. "The days of one-sided stationery are gone," Berry says. "Whether it's a pattern, a P.S., or a photo, the backside of stationery is being considered more than ever." Reale agrees: "Have you ever received a card and not flipped it over hoping for something?" So Now It's time to get o the ball and go find a style that represents your family... Take 20% off all holiday cards till November 30th!