There's no place like.....the hospital for Christmas!

Here we are again with our little Maggie. We're not sure how long we will be here this time--but we're definately missing being home for Christmas morning. So, we're going to take Christmas to her. Apparently, after he has delivered toys to boys and girls all over the world, Santa Claus comes to Chilren's hospital to visit the kids there. It's not the perfect Christmas that we imagined in our head. We won't be able to do the traditional things we do every year. However, it does make you stop the hustle and bustle and really think about the important things in your life--Your kids, your kids health, your husband, your moms, dads, brothers, sisters, and those that you love dearly. So, to all of those that we here at the Link house love--MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU and remember the reason we celebrate. Hug your little one's and remind them of the importance of Christmas and that the best gift ever given is our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Please? Smile for Mommy...and stand in one place!

It was a wonderful, peaceful, fun-filled night when we got out the Christmas decorations and put up our tree as a family. What a great feeling you get this time of year when you're in the Christmas spirit and surrounded by the one's you love. AAAHHH! Then, you ask, nicely, your cute little children to gather round so you can capture the moment that has given you such wonderful, happy feelings. Too much to ask for, I suppose, from the almost 3 year old, a little A.D.D., cutie-pie we call Miss Maggie. None of these shots will be our Christmas card this year, but we got a little giggle while trying.

Wait a minute...Maybe they're all a bit A.D.D.

SURPRISE Weekend!!

A few weeks ago, we got an invite in the mail for a SURPRISE Birthday Party for my little brother Chris. His b-day isn't until Dec. 27th--but he never gets a real birthday because it's so close to Christmas. So, Lacey wanted to do something really special. It was so much fun to talk to him on the phone, pretending that I wasn't going to see him until after the new year and how bummed I was that I couldn't come up to watch the big OU game. So, the kids and I packed up the car on Friday morning (Byron couldn't go--we missed him) and headed up to Oklahoma. That evening, the family and some friends gathered in the party room of the community where Mom lives and we waited. Lacey picked Chris up from work with the understanding that Chris had to close his eyes the whole way--and no peeking. I thought it was hilarious that he did--he's so honest. So, they opened the door and we all screamed "SURPRISE" and sang him Happy Birthday. It was so funny to watch the looks that came over Chris. Surprise, confusion, happiness, overcome (almost teary) all in like 20 seconds. Needless to say, we all had a great time with each other and it was fun to poke a little fun at Chris with the "Chris Test". More partyin' on Saturday with an inpromptu Putt-Putt with the cousins party for Riley's birthday. Happy Birthday Riley! And...It just happened to be the Big 12 Championship game too--so--we stayed and partied some more with the family. BOOMER SOONER!! So here's a few pics from our fun, family-and-friend-filled weekend. Enjoy!

Thankful for Grandma and Grandpa's House!

Ever since we returned home from California, we've had absolutely no time to sit down and blog about it. Today, Byron said to me, "Do you realize we still have the Halloween blog up?" So, I guess I'd better take the time before the next holiday is here and I'm really behind. So.......

We are thankful for Grandma and Grandpa's house. It is such a blessing to be able to visit California and have such a great family. I love Byron's family. My kids have such fun grandparents that love them and love to spend time with them. Needless to say, my kids LOVE spending time with them, too. They also love their Uncle Derek, Aunt Shannon, and cousins Corbin and Cooper. The kids got along so great after they got used to each other. Especially on Thanksgiving day, it was a delight to watch them play together. They also love Uncle Romney and Auntie Erin. What a fun couple they are and Erin so fun to be around. Love her so much.
When we go to California, usually our days are filled with Disneyland or Sea World and we're always on the go. But this time it was a little different. We had plans to do Disney and go to the SanDiego Zoo. But, Mother Nature had other plans for us. Rained out in California?? Yes. We did have one great day up in the foothills. While driving around Riverside on Sunday, Maggie pointed to the mountains, and with jubilation in her voice she asked, "Mommy, what's that?" She's probably never seen a mountain before. Then she said, "I want to go there". So, we went to this darling little town called Oak Glen, that mostly consisted of apple orchards and spent the day there. The leaves were beautiful colors and the air was crisp. We ate apple cider doughnuts and they were lovely. We even got to pick our own apples, put them into an apple press and we pressed our very own apple cider that we got to take home. It was delicious! What a great day we had and Maggie got to go to her mountain. Later that night we went out for some adult time with Byron's mom and dad, Derek, Shannon, Erin and Romney at the melting pot. Good food and great company. Great time!
The two days before Thanksgiving, it rained. So, we made the most of it. Bowling and movies were the highlights for the kids. Grandma even had some Christmas crafts for us to do. We made Santa Clauses and Candy Houses (a must for the holidays). On Thanksgiving Day we took our time making Thanksgiving dinner. It was, for me atleast, very low stress. The meal was delicious and, again, great company. Then, on Thanksgiving night, Erin and I ventured out to do some midnight shopping. Two stores, 4 1/2 hours. Doesn't sound like fun, but, when you're with Erin, anything's fun. We got a little goofy around 3:00 a.m. and decided to call it a night, or morning, which ever.
Really, for me, the best part of the vacation wasn't going different places or eating good food. My favorite part was spending time with my family without the running around until late hours trying to fit in another ride or show. It was playing games and great conversation with family. We really missed Alison, Kermit and the girls.
Next year, we hope we'll all be together and maybe, just maybe it will rain again.

HALLOWEEN!!

Better late than never, right? Yes--it's more than a week past Halloween--give me a break.
I love Halloween! What's better than dressing up as someone you dream of being or just as someone or something you think is pretty, funny or cool--and going around to strangers houses and asking them for a Trick or a Treat? Hopefully you get a treat.
All the kids had great costumes. Byron was a throw-back Elvis inmate, Greyson was "Special Agent Link", Caden was Anakin Skywalker, Brynna was Batgirl, and Maggie was Tinkerbell. And..our special guest, Coleman was a super cute Monkey.
We went to our ward building for Trunk-or-Treat and then to our friends neighborhood. Every house on her street is decked out. One of the houses I may not go back to next year. Michael Meyers was walking around, the witch was stirring her brew, the candy was given out by a very scary mummy thing, and the freaky little munchkin thing guarded the gate. All living and walking around. Freaked me out.
We adults had a really good time watching the kids make believe they were who they were dressed up as and the kids took in a pirate's load of candy. Great Halloween--Can't wait until next year!

Cole-Buddy

The cutest little kid around! Chris, Lacey and Coleman came to visit over Halloween weekend--and what a great time we had. Of course we did the Halloween thing, but we also went to Fair Park in Dallas. We were supposed to watch a movie at the planitarium--but with two little one's--we didn't quite make it. But, we did get to watch Coleman and the rest of the kids run around and just have fun.
We really love it when Chris and Lacey come down and bring Mr. Coleman. He makes my heart smile.

Happy Birthday Brynna!!

Happy, Happy Birthday Brynna Dear!!!
Our Bel just turned 7 years old! And WOW, did she have a great party! She wanted a Moon Jumper's party--an inflatable bounce house party place. It was a blast. We had 13 people RSVP--and we had 36 little kids actually show up to party. CHAOS!! A few of the 36 were boys, but mostly, we had a bunch of jumping, running, screaming little girls. It was very crazy and very loud. Brynna had a great time. But, I think the best part of the weekend was that her cousins from Oklahoma came down for her special weekend. Thanks Allyssa, Riley, and Chandler--you made the weekend really fun!
So, until next year and the next big bru-ha-ha,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRYNNA!!!

"AMAZING"

"AMAZING", is how Caden describes his world today. Actually SEEING it makes a big difference, I guess.
This past week, Caden had a vision screening at school and came home to tell me that he couldn't even see the top letter E. Really??
So today, I took him to the opthamologist--and we came home with some COOL glasses. So, not only can he see, but he looks pretty handsome too. He couldn't believe the things he's been missing. He read every sign on the way home, he said the clouds even looked different, and every once in awhile, he would just say "amazing".
I guess those of us that don't need glasses take for granted being able to see the beauty around us and all that we think is amazing. I'm just happy that Caden isn't missing out anymore. Happy Spectacle Day, C!

Happy Anniversary!

I thought I would hijack Tammy's blog and post a messege about her. Today is our wedding anniversary and I wanted to do something a little out of the ordinary. I love this woman. These years have gone by so quickly, and I have been blessed. She is an amazing mother, she is my best friend, and she is amazingly hot and beautiful. I am truly lucky. Happy anniversay. I love you. - Byron

Hi Ho, Hi Ho!

Hi Ho, Hi Ho! It's off to work we go! WHEW WHEW WHEW, WHEW WHEW WHEH! Come on--whistle along! Byron put the kids to work helping him deck the attic. They did a really good job. Even Brynna got in on it. We're running out of storage space, so more room in the attic is just what we needed.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

I just wanted to say Happy Birthday to my Honey! What a lucky girl I am to be married to the best dad, the best husband, the funniest husband and the guy who also happens to be the most handsome husband. Yea for me! Happy 33rd baby and I love you!

SCHOOL ROCKS!!???

No whines, no tears, no worries--just HUH? Already?? Summer went fast with all the activities, camps, and visits to family. We, everybody, the whole Link clan, is very excited for school to start this year--we're just bummed that summer is over. Our first day of school was great! Maggie's back too--Yeah! Brynna, Caden, and Greyson love their teachers and have buddies in their classes. So it's all good so far. Mom's glad to have a schedule and actually have a purpose in her day--even if it's running little people places. So, HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!

My Summer Vacation!

Every August, on the first day of school you can count on the assignment called "My Summer Vacation". Even though I'm not in school anymore, I'm turning in my assignment a little early this year. So--here it is--MY SUMMER VACATION!

BREAKING DAWN

The 4th and last book of the Twilight Series was released the day before we went to Hawaii. What a great airplane book, beach book, riding in the car book, or just about anywhere book. Byron probably thinks I thought I was in Hawaii with Edward. Great book though. It doesn't matter if you're an Edward fan or a Jacob fan, I think everyone will be happy with how this book turns out. So, I'm a little bit obsessed again with the characters and actually thinking about them as if they were real. And..Muse is always getting play time. So--Twilight fans--read it, it's great and be comforted in the fact we only have 4 months until the movie.