Visiting Santa

Merry Christmas from the Leopolds

Our Christmas card. "Peace" seemed to be our focus this year. Together Doug and I feel that life is too short to not live it to the fullest, focus on the important things, and most of all: share how you feel with the people in your life. This has been a great year, but filled with many difficult times. Together we as a family spent a wonderful vacation at the "happiest place on earth". We had the best time. Traveling together was one of the highlights of the trips. I of course would not fly, so we drove. Some of the best times of the vacation was visiting the state visitor centers and just spending time together in the car. Then the vacation itself will forever be a wonderful memory for all of us. This year also brought to us the beginning of a new adventure, the building of our new house. Getting to that point was a long and stressful event. The house finally sold right at the last weeks of the contract. A bitter sweet moment. Now we are spending a lot of "quality family time" in the small rent house. Of course the difficult times were there too. This is the year we lost Doug's mentor, business partner and best friend. Chris will always have a special place in our lives. He left an unforgettable impression. We were not aware of just how close Brett had become to him. They spent a lot of time together while he was at the shop when school was out over the past 5 years. Brett has had taken it the hardest. As a parent, helping your child grieve is one of the most difficult things I could have imagined. I always knew he was a gentle soul, but watching him hurt was the most painful thing I have ever done so far as a parent. Through the past year we as a family have grown closer, stronger, and really focused on us and our goals as a family. Putting first things first with God as the leader, we could not have wished for anything better. With this focus we have been able to make it during the difficult times. Looking towards 2009, we are already facing obstacles. My dad is to have open heart surgery again. Yet there are some bright moments in store as well. Brett will be leaving elementary school and going onto the next phase of his life, intermediate school. Zach is growing as a reader. Doug's business is expanding at a incredible pace. I see it as my goal and duty to keep all of them happy, well, and safe. So as we go forward as a family, we will continue with the same priority: PEACE. We will put God forward, keep friends and each other close, and express our love everyday to each other. So for this holiday season and the upcoming new year, we truly wish you PEACE. May you have inner peace and we as a community be able to live in peace together. Merry Christmas to all and Peace on Earth.- Doug, Laurie, Brett and Zach Leopold

It's Begining to Look A Lot Like Christmas....

Brett's class party! Brett enjoyed a Christmas station rotation..... this is where he made candy cane reindeer.

Brett showing his donut hole snowman. (right before eating it.....) No, all the stations were not food. There was a memory game, word puzzle and a pass the bag game. He had a blast.

Zach had his grade level party on Thursday. They enjoyed cookie making, reindeer food, stocking relay, ice skating and freeze dance/frosty says. Here is Zach with the "bestest" first grade teacher ever.... Mrs. Byrne. She is loving, nurturing, and very supportive of Zach. She is extremely patient ( a trait that comes in real handy when dealing with Zach.) She has helped him grow and mature. He loves to read and enjoys school because of her.

Here is Zach showing off his reindeer food bag. The kids filled it with the food and then decorated it. How cute is that. This is the station we hosted.

Here is Zach showing off his Santa side......he just got out of the bath, the beard is a bubble one, he was very proud. We quickly got his little Santa suit and put it up to him to get the pic. He could not stop laughing! He shaped the beard, but what you don't see is that the bubbles are completely around his head. The tub was also filled with suds.

Snow!!!!!

It has been snowing most of the afternoon. It was a mix snow/sleet when I went to work at 6am, was clear most of the day, but by the time we were headed home after school, it was a very heavy and steady snow fall. Here is Brett and Zach with Gizmo enjoying the white yard.

Yes, this picture was taken in College Station Texas! How awsome is this, and just in time for Brett's birthday. (we are crossing our fingers for a "snow day" tomorrow to really have a ball on his 10th birthday.)

Letters FROM Santa.....

Wow! Brett and Zach just sent their letters to Santa a few weeks ago. They received letters from Santa this past weekend. Santa wrote special and very personal letters to each of them. They both are on the "good list". They each received a special sticker that said they made the good list. (much to my and Doug's surprise :)) Both boys were reminded to wake mom and dad up BEFORE opening the gifts. They are counting down to Christmas with our new Advent calender, loved their traditional gift from St. Nicholas of a new ornament, and continue to count the presents under the tree. Merry Christmas.

Special Person's Day

Zach's class gave a turkey day performance. Zach was a pig. He was very proud of his line...."We are fat, we are able, we want to be on the Thanksgiving day table".

Brett also had a preformance in his classroom. He was a pilgram. After the performance, they served their special person some yummy treats.

Here We Go......

November 19, 2008: The foundation! The slab was poured first thing in the morning. 6am to be exact. Doug took the kids by before school to check on the prgress. We all went later to make our hand impressions. The boys (mainly Doug) are very excited. Doug checked on the work three times that day. The house in on the south side of College Station, the shop is on the north-west side of Bryan! Framing should be this week, then onto the details. I am busy making all the selections, and having a great time at it too. We can't wait to have the room we need, the house we love and the space in the yard to run, play, throw the baseball, and have privacy. The projected completion date is by mid March! Yea! That means we will be celebrating Doug's birthday by moving boxes!

Living Museum

Brett was Shoeless Joe Jackson. A famous baseball player. He played for the Chicago White Sox and helped lead them to victory in the 1915 World Series. He had a very special bat "Black Besty". Brett enjoyed learning about him and then telling his story.

Each kid was a "statue". Once someome pressed their button, they came to life and told their story.

Brett and his friend Carson. Two famous players from the past.

Opening Weekend of Deer Season

Yes, Brett got a deer. 8 pt. to be exact. Doug and I decided that it was time for Brett to get to go to "deer camp" on opening weekend this year. The oldest grandson, the start of the next generation attending camp, not just visiting. What a blast. Brett has been counting down the days. His big dilemma was should he go early Friday or stay and trick-or-treat, then go late. He decided to do both. He had a blast trick-or-treating, but was very ready to get on the road. They even had to stop on the way to get his licence. The first hunt Sat. morning they got it. First they saw two bucks fighting, shot at one, the smaller, and missed. Then the larger returned to their sights. They got it. The smile on Brett's face is absolutely priceless. Mom at home with Zach (had a soccer game and has strep throat), was just about to check in on the morning's hunt when this picture was sent to my cell phone. How wonderful for Brett on his very first time at camp and with Dad. A weekend that will give special memories to them both.

Halloween!

Halloween 2008. We decided to do something different this year. Being in a new neighborhood, and all our friends in a different neighborhood, we went there. We had dinner with friends, then a group of kids went trick-or-treating together. Zach, dressed as Indiana Jones had a blast. He woke up that morning complaining of a soar neck. Upon further investigation, he clarified that his throat hurt when he swallowed. He did not eat anything for breakfast. With trick-or-treating that night and a big soccer game on Sat., mom called the doctor. Yep, strep throat! he spent the afternoon with mom in Brett's class helping with Pumpkin Math. After a small nap after school, he was ready to dress up and go get some candy. While out, it was the "sick" kid that wanted to keep going. After Doug and Brett left for hunting, Zach had to trick-or-treat a few more streets.

Brett was Dumbledore (from Harry Potter). He had a blast at his friends house and trick-or-treating with his friends. Most of all, he was counting down till time to leave for hunting. He could not wait. His first year at opening weekend with the family.

The group of "ghouls" that we spent the eveing with. What fun. We enjoyed alien cup cakes, mummy dogs, and blood punch! what a spread! After our tummies were full, off to get the candy!

Dressing up is not just for the kids. Moms can too. I was Axl Rose. Can't you tell? Rock on! With the bandana, sun glassed on top, shirt, and tatoo arms, what fun to be a rocker!

A great friend, Katy. She is the wife of Brett's baseball coach. We had a blast drinking the blood punch (wine) and walking with the kids down the street. She was off to the high school football game (the game of the week for FOX sports) so she did not dress up. She was my "groopie". We now have a wonderful new Halloween tradition! Can't wait till next year! Rock on till then.

Pumpkin Math

Pumpkin Math: In fourth grade the kids get to do a unit called Pumpkin Math. They examine, compare, measure, and see if the pumpkins float. They make predictions, the find the actual result. They weighed their pumpkins, measured them, tried to make them float, counted the seams, then gutted the pumpkin to count the seeds. What fun. At the end of the fun, the kids got to help carve a face in the pumpkins.

This is Brook Gully, Lilly Taylor and Brett. They were at the table I helped with. We had a good time. The kids were very close with their predictions. They were very surprised when the pumkins floated! Who would have thought? Did you know a pumkin is 90% water?

Pumpkin Math was fun, and very messy.

After the Pumpkin Math unit, the kids enjoyed a Pumpkin Math party!

School Picture

Say "Cheese"..... Look how cute! Brett in 4th, Zach in 1st. This is the last year they will be in the same school until Zach is in high school. For now, I will just enjoy them being where they are. Both boys are doing well in school and loving it. Zach did his first real research project on bats, the Flying Fox to be specific. Brett is completing his major project: the Living Museum. He has done a written report and poster. He is completing his costume and speech. How exciting. Both boys have wonderful teachers and some real good friends in their classes. We are having a great year!

End of Season Party!

The last game of fallball was Thursday. Due to rain, it was canceled. The team got together for treats and trophies. Each player received a trophy and enjoyed a baseball cupcake. This is Brett with best friend, Josh Brooks. Josh has been playing baseball since T-ball, Brett just started. They have been friends for a while, now both really enjoyed being on the same team! Brett is receiving his trophy. Coach Finks is telling everyone a little something about each kids as he give the trophies. He was very impressed with Brett's ability, skills, and improvment this season. He was also very proud that Brett had done so well, and it being his first season. This is the "gang". Carson, Brett, Jacob, and Josh. The three other boys have been playing ball together from the begining. They all go to the same school and have been great friends since first grade. Each loves baseball and has had a great time playing together. Here is the whole team with all three coaches. Each boy played hard and had a great time this season. Way to go Diamond Jacks. See ya in the spring!

Soccer!

Soccer has started! Zach is on the Green Tigers. He is back with his friends Zach C. and Michael. They have the best coach: Coach Childers! Saturday was their first game. You can't miss them in this color. (My vote for team name was the "Sharpies", Doug wanted the "Hi-Liters"). The fields are bigger now, by more than 50%. They play 4 vs 4 and have a deffender now. The games are more exciting and more competitive now.

Here is Zach going for the ball! My fabulous, wonderful and spectacular soccer player! He loves it and is really excelling at it. Zach is ready for the kick off. Zach did very well his first game on the larger fields. He did play defender, but had a real hard time staying back. When he saw the ball open, he ran to it and was playing forward. At one time he was in the other teams goal box, but was blocked. He then had to sprint the whole length of the field to defend his goal. His team won 5-2. They keep score offically now and have an offical to make calls and run the game. We are in for one exciting soccer season!

Junior Aggie Night

Brett and Zach are members of the Junior Aggie Club. The Junior Aggies get together before some of the different Aggie sporting events and offer fun activites. On Friday, the boys helped cheer on the girl's soccer team. Before the game, the kids were able to tye-dye shirts. Here is Brett doing his. Even whith gloves, we left with colored hands. Zach is making a basketball goal. There was fun activities to do before the game. Each kids got to get a gift from a "grab bag", have popcorn, pizza, play basketball, shoot a soccer ball at a goal and make a shirt. What fun. The big fun was making the tunnel for the Aggie girls to run through before the game. Here is Brett and Zach in the line up. They are doing the pre-game Aggie War Hymn. Gig-Em Ags! Zach is in the back line second from the end.

When they called the starting ling up, the girls came running through the tunnel giving the team, the junior aggies,and then the Yell Leaders "high fives". This is the goalie comming through.

Play Ball!

Brett in now playing baseball. Fall Ball started Tuesday. He has had practice for the past few weeks, and his first game was this Tuesday night. During the fall, the season is shorter, only 5 weeks. Games are two times a week. Brett is on the Diamond Jacks. The league chose to use Minor League names. This is Brett getting ready to bat during the final inning. The game was very exciting. Brett's first. Here is the scoop. His first time to bat, he's ready, new batting helmet and everything. Brett is looking good! The first pitch, he tries to swings, but is hit in the chest by the ball. Mom was with Zach at soccer, Dad was watching and telling play by play to mom over the phone. Brett was down for a while, but tuffed it out and stood back up to finish his turn at bat. The next pitch, he swings, HITS, and makes it to first. Mom and Zach made it to the final inning of the game. Brett was up again. First pitch, he swings and misses. Then next, swings, bunts it and it rolls to the left. However, staying in field, by the time the catcher and pitcher decide that it is not a foul, Brett is on SECOND! Then the big news: while Brett was on third, the catcher bobbles the ball, and Brett STEALS HOME! His team did win, but Brett was the big winner because he did so well.

Brett earns his Emblem of Faith

Brett earned his Cub Scouts Emblem of Faith. It was an in depth project he decided to complete during his previous year in Cub Scouts. He had the choice to complete either a simple one step activity regarding faith/religion, or earning his Emblem of Faith. Brett choose to work towards his Emblem of Faith. With my help, we worked on the project over many months. After completion, he had to turn the workbook into his den leader, then our preist, and finally off to the Bishop for approval. The presentation of his emblem was held Saturday, September 6, 2008. A special mass was held for the Austin Diocese to present Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts with their catholic faith achievments they have completed. Brett with his new Emblem of Faith: PARVULI DEI. This is the only achievement that can move from Cub Scout into the Boy Scout ranks. He is now able to wear this special metal achievement with pride on his uniform. Each faith has different requirments and different metals. Here is Brett with Bishop Gregory Aymond. He led the mass and presented all the achievements.

First Day of School!

August 25: First day of school. Brett now in Fourth grade, Zach in First. I think I was giving them a bottle just yesterday! What happend? They are growing so fast. Both boys have wonderful teachers. We had "meet the teacher" last Friday. They are both very excitied and happy to go back to school. They love their teachers and both have some great friends in their classes. Each boy got a backpack and new lunch box for the year. So proud. Of course they walked themselves to class and didn't even hug/kiss me when I left. So grown up! (I did get a "high five")

Snake bite!

Gizmo was bitten by a copperhead snake on Sunday. Doug had found a small one last week while mowing. We have been on the watch out since. The neighbor even told us he has gotten a few since he has lived here. However, Gizmo being curious, of course would be the one to get bitten. He had been out during the late morning, did not bark to be let back in, so spent a few hours in the back yard. We are near a creek, it has been raining, and the back yard has a lot of leaves and even a large deck that the animals can get under. Brett had let Gizmo in, a little after lunch. A while later while in the bedroom, I noticed Gizmo looking funny. His cheeks were very large, like a squirrel with a years worth of nuts in them. I called the vet on call, then rushed him to the clinic. He got three shots: antibiotic, benadryl, and an anti-inflamatory. This picture was last night. The swelling has settled into his chin. He looks like he is carrying a ball under his chin. He will be ok! The swelling should be gone by Tuesday.

New Address

Our new (temporary) mailbox! Our new adress will be 4904 Ginger Ct. College Station Texas, 77845. Our phone number will stay the same. Here is Brett and Zach at the mailbox after helping Doug dig the hole. The lot has been cleared ready for the dirt work and foundation! Won't be long now.

Happy Birthday Zach!

Zach celebrated his birthday with friends, ice cream cake, and fun at Mt. Aggie. Of course, a soccer themed party was in order for the soccer player in the family! Here is Zach taking a quick break from the mountain to have his ice cream cake, yum! Mt. Aggie is a small hill that is covered in astroturf, hosed down, and simulates skiing. It is on campus and used for a rec. class. They host parties as well. Here is Zach after a run down the mountain. Zach with good friend Cade and brother Brock. It was Cade's birthday in Nov. that Zach fell in love with Mt. Aggie. Since then all Zach has said about his birthday is that is has to be at Mt. Aggie! Finally his party day! All morning Zach keep telling me how excited he was to go to Mt. Aggie with all his friends.

The kids get ready to go down. One side is set up with dips and bumps that help you "jump" on the way down. Everyone had a blast and left very tired.

Even the adults joined in the fun. Note to self: leave kids at home, book party at Mt. Aggie, adults only!