Holiday Fun!

We have had so much fun celebrating the season!

We went with Carley, our sweet neighbor, to Merry Main Street. My favorite part of this picture is that she has cotton candy stuck to her mouth!

We had our "other" small group over one night for a little party.:) So fun!

Karson's work party at Six Flags Holiday in the Park was SOOO fun! It was definitely the best work party ever! We basically got to have a free date and I didn't have to socialize with anybody but my hubby. :)
We even got a free picture as our gift! I love this picture if us on Titan because it is so "US."

Then I went to Josephine's with some of my girls from work. Look at all of the cute babies!

One of the highlights of our month was having the Boswells stay with us. It was so fun! Carrie and sweet Caleb also came over and hung out with us.
Karson and sweet Caleb enjoyed playing the piano.

Jarrett and sweet Case were such a joy to have in our home!

A picture with all the kiddos! Our house was was too quiet when they left! We LOVED every minute of our time with these little ones! (and their parents) ;)

Sweet Macy helped me get ready Sunday morning for church and she decided that she liked my boots!

I decorated my Christmas table, which is always fun! This picture is for you, Jenny.:)

And then, I got the most adorable clipboard in the mail from my sweet friend Molly. She made this!


Some girls baking cookies for our cookie bake-off... We won, by the way!

I know this has been a random post...thanks for reading!

I hope your holidays have been great!

Happy Birthday Mama!

I want to wish a Happy Birthday to my Mama today! Happy Birthday to a Mama who has always been there for me and encouraged me...Happy Birthday to a Mama who has influenced me...from everything from her faith in God to her love of travel and books.:)

Happy Birthday to a Mama who is one of the strongest people I know...
Happy Birthday to a Mama who is a whole lot of fun... I found this in a random drawer the other day...what were we thinking???

Happy Birthday to a Mama who has been there for every important milestone...

Happy Birthday to you! I love you so much and wish I could be there in person to wish you Happy Birthday!

Thanksmas!

Karson and I just got back from a week in Cali with my parents! We had so much fun and I am already a little sad about going back tor reality.:( We spent the first few days of our trip home over at the coast. We enjoyed the waves and the beautiful weather!We also visited Hearst Castle. The weather was perfect while we were there and the view overlooking the ocean was breathtaking! I remember going their as a little girl and it is still just as impressive as I remember it! It makes me want to go back to Europe!When we returned to Bakersfield, we did a little Christmas shopping. Karson took my mom to Chico's and was trying to find her that "perfect" outfit...so sweet...)We decorated the tree. This is Thanksmas, after all...For Thanksgiving dinner, we invited a dear friend over. This is "Grandma Jo", my "adopted" grandma. She really was like a grandma to me since we had no family living near us growing up. We enjoyed a lovely family dinner! I can't believe that it has been TEN years since I have celebrated a Thanksgiving dinner at this table...WOW! Time sure does fly! We also had to squeeze in Christmas morning, since we won't be back for Christmas. Matching pajamas is a Prude Family tradition...

Enjoying our Christmas morning...

We got my Dad a certificate for flying lessons...maybe he will become a pilot someday!

We also enjoyed dinner with some dear friends, Dave and Faye Turner. I consider these to be my "bonus" parents. They have always been so good to me and were such a huge part of my growing up. It was so neat to enjoy time with them to catch up.:)

I can't believe that the week is over ...and the homesickness has started again :( We had so much fun and feel so blessed and thankful that we were able to go to Cali!

HaPpY ThAnKSgiViNG!

I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! I've included a cute little Kinder conversation for your enjoyment.:)

*****DISCLAIMER: This conversation took place after at least two week of studying Pilgrims and Indians (or Native Americans if you want to be P.C.) and maybe we need a little more education on the subject...:)

Me: OK friends, everybody is going to get to dress up for our feast and you get to decide if you want to be a Native American or a Pilgrim. Raise your hand and let me know what you want to be and we can put your name on the right spot on our graph.

Kid #1: DARTH. VADER! (Ummmm, was he an Indian or a pilgrim???)
Kid #2: A Naked American... (It took me a few seconds to realize that this wasn't meant to be funny...and I was the only one in the room laughing.:) In this kids' defense, "naked" does sound a lot like "Native" and really, how often do you see pictures of Indians who are fully clothed???)

Hope your Thanksgiving gives you as many reasons to be thankful as mine does!

A Few Things I'm Thankful for...

This week in Kindergarten, my kids and I have had many conversations about how blessed we are and what we are thankful for. I have asked them to list several things that they are thankful for. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I thought I would do the same...

1. It only seems right to start with this guy. He's my Favorite, my BFF, the love of my life... Lately, I've really been noticing things about him that I love so much... most are simple things, but just things that are so "Karson." For example, usually at least once or twice per week, I come into the kitchen to see every herb from our garden picked and out on the kitchen counter. It means that he is creating some completely strange, unusual concoction for us to eat...and I love it!

2. I am thankful for my parents. I'm thankful for how much they love each other and for how much they love me. And I'm thankful that I get to see them in 3 short days! It has been TEN years since I have gone home for Thanksgiving and I am so excited!

3. I am thankful for Coke Zero. I. am. an. addict.

4. I am thankful for music. I love to play the piano. There are few things that I enjoy more than playing the piano or listening to music. Whether it is learning a new Chopin song or going to a Pat Green Concert, I love music!

5. I am thankful for Karson's parents. They raised the man that I love and I love them for that.

6. I am thankful for modern technology... I think of how I am able to keep in contact with some of my dearest friends because of cell phones, blogs, etc.

7. I am thankful for our friends that let us be a part of their children's lives. We love babysitting, having them come over to play...they even let us help get their kids ready for bed...




8. I am thankful for Josephine's Italian Bistro. Please call me and we can go eat there sometime...SO YUMMY!

9. I am thankful for my job. Some of the women I work with are my very best friends and I feel so blessed to see them every day!

10. I am thankful for my Room Moms this year. I have always had at least a few good moms, but this year I have so many! Just today, one of them brought me a Sonic drink...and it is not unusual for me to get all sorts of goodies throughout the week. That is just what they do for me! They do so many things for my kiddos, too!

11. And lastly, I am thankful for the 22 kiddos that call me Mrs. Williams everyday. They challenge me, drive me CRAZY at times, but I am so excited to see them every morning and I can't imagine life without their hugs, silliness, and sweetness.

This list is by no means complete, but it is just a few ways that I am blessed! Happy Thanksgiving!
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Ciga-Wettes and Happy Halloween!

Kid: Mrs. Will-wams, wast night I cut da eyeballs out of my pumpkin and at night, I said to my mama, "MOMMA! You thwow yo ciga-wette in that pumpkins head??? Cuz his heads on fire!"

Maybe you just had to be there...but it was one of the best laughs I've had in a while...

Happy Halloween!

A Shower for Baby Barton

On Sunday, I hosted a baby shower for my neighbor and sweet friend, Stephanie. She is welcoming a sweet new baby boy in about 6 weeks. The name is still "undetermined", but big sister Carley has decided that his name is Karson.

Too cute! I really wasn't that great about taking pictures...I haven't hosted a shower in a while and I'm a little rusty!

Steph got lots of fun gifts to share with Baby Barton!




Jen, the other hostess, brought some fun games to play. We guessed baby food flavors and then guessed how big around Steph's belly was...:)

Jen, the other hostess, made this super cute diaper cake.:) Isn't she talented?

We love you Steph and Baby Barton and can't wait to meet you!

ALL Play and NO work...

A little while ago, my sweet friend Amber and I decided that we would take off work on her birthday and have a girls' day. It was so much fun! The day started with a little breakfast at Bread Winners. Then on to Nordstroms for a little shopping...:)

We then headed to the movies to watch FAME. We ended our day with a little spa fun. We enjoyed massages that were heavenly and then pedicures that were very nice also. While the food, movie, and spa treatments were wonderful, the best part of the day was getting to spend time with one of my best friends (oh yeah...and not having to work.:)! Love you friend!

We may have to make this a tradition!

Love at First Sight

I just returned from an amazing weekend in Houston visiting my friend Jenny and her new baby Bekah. It was so good to see her, catch up, and watch her as a mom! In fact, I would definitely say that one of my favorite things about being in my "twenty-somethings" is getting to watch my friends become mothers. So sweet!

I must admit that as excited as I was to see Jenny, I might have been as excited or more to meet Miss Bekah! I flew in late Friday night and was like a little kid waiting for Christmas waiting for her to wake up Saturday morning. I would have definitely snuck in her room to wake her up and play with her had it not been for my better judgement. :) Bekah is the sweetest little girl! She has the most precious laugh and I can already tell that she is going to be very smart (like her mommy:))It was definitely love at first sight!We visited the Farmers' market on Saturday morning. We enjoyed our coffee and croissants.

Bekah loves to give kisses and she loves her mommy...I just thought this was so sweet!


Then, Jenny treated me to the Spa at the Houstonian. My favorite part was the robes! They were the softest thing that has ever touched my skin! It was such a fun and fancy afternoon!

Then, Jenny made carnitas! I can't find the normal picture of us, so this one will have to do! They were so yummy!

Then, off to the chocolate bar for a little piece of heaven. I might have to go "bar-hopping" more often!

Jenny, I had so much fun! You were definitely the hostess with the mostess! And Miss Bekah, Aunt Sharon loves you! I can't wait to make more memories with you!