The Starnes Family

The Dress

Several months ago, I awarded a girl named Courtney - whom I had never met - a blogger award. Happened upon her blog from another and was immediately struck by her candid writing and hilarious nature. We became friends and have kept in touch daily; more than a lot of my closest friends here in town!

There is an on-going joke between the two of us that you just never know who is behind that computer, that blog, that email...but luckily I have first hand witness to her being real - and a woman - and indeed a mom of her crazy kids she writes so eloquently about. My close friend from LSU knows her, oddly enough, and they live in adjacent towns. I had no idea...but randomly asked her because I felt that they should be friends if they were not already. The moral of the story? It is INDEED a small world we live in here on earth.

We plan to meet up while I visit Dallas in a couple of weeks and I am super excited about that. And, the reason I'm posting.....check out the cutest dress ever she just sent me for Lainey. Love it!

Her daughter, Tessie Mayes, has a similar one and it can be seen on the main pics of her blog....her kids are the ones from a few posts back that take great pictures together. Unlike mine.

OK, the dress.

The lining!

And, it must be noted that the design of these dresses all originated from Lainey's birthday dress and Halloween dress given to her by Mae Mae (Terri). Hers were purchased on-line at Etsy.com (one of my favorites) and Courtney took the idea and made it her own. Precious.

Looking Back

Hard to believe that a year ago, our kids looked like this:

http://www.thestarnesfam.com/2007/12/three-kids.html

Lainey has changed so very much. Check out that hair! And, this was much lighter than when she was born.

Advent Calendar

30 years now, we've been coloring this calendar. My brother brought it home from Kindergarten just about that long ago and we've re-created it if we didn't have a Kindergartener in the family. Now, I draw it for our kids each year.

If you'd like one via jpeg or mail, just email me and let me know! Enjoy!

Oh, and no comments on my artwork. It's a struggle each year!

Dallas Visit

Hello, friends and family!

We will be in town for a quick visit and lots of Christmas celebrations during the weekend of the 13th. Due to commitments with family, we only have one day available to see everyone. So, please come by to see the kids (and us!) if it fits with your schedule.

Friday, December 12th
10:00ish - 2:00ish
Dallas Galleria

Email me for specifics of where to meet and what the plan is. Hope we see you all!

Skiing At Beaver Creek

After a few years of skiing and trying most of the big (and small) Colorado resorts, we have concluded that Beaver Creek is the best there is. Yes, even better than our (gasp!) beloved Aspen. And, we love it there....in Aspen....but with good skiing just over 2 hours away, rather than 4, we'll take it.

My description cannot accurately represent how good this resort is. Check it out here. It is what all ski resorts should be. Beautiful setting, great terrain, fantastic service.

Approaching Avon, Colorado.

The hill leading up. Love this part.

Funny that I took this pic because the very next day, we saw a fox standing on the side of the road. I was telling Blake that morning that I thought Colorado owed us a moose sighting. Nothing spectacular....just a glimpse. Got a fox instead. He was a cutie, though....perched like a dog, sitting on the side of the road, as if saying, "Ok, here you go. Take a good look."

First view of the runs from the road in.

Our usual protocol.....Blake drops us off and we bundle up the kids.....I take them into the village while he parks the car. We are a sight in the double stroller loaded with gear.

Kiddos eating warm, fresh baked cookies. The staff comes out with white chef outfits on, embroidered with "Cookie Time", carrying silver platters stacked high with delicious cookies. Our kids are never shy to ask for seconds. Blake is fine with it, too.

Waiting for Daddy.

The lovely ice rink.

Our little Santa.

While Blake and Carter take the first part of the morning to ski, I walk the town with the little ones. Plenty of time to enjoy the shopping and to see all the sights. This fountain is always a favorite and somehow I've never had to pull a kid out of it. That would be COLD.