Christmas is for remembering...

Christmas pasts -- 1954, with brothers Wally and Charlie. Lots of snow, icicles hanging from the doors and windows. Getting up in the wee hours to see what Santa brought and waiting for parents to wake up before we could open our presents. Seeing the decorated Christmas tree for the first time on Christmas morning, following the custom of my mother's native Austria, where the tree would be decorated while the family was at mid-night mass.

First Christmas in Texas, as newly weds in 1974. Our only Christmas without kids. What added joy each new addition to the family brought each Christmas.

Christmas is for remembering all of this and much more -- loved ones who have passed on, family members who can't be with us this year( our Andy in Utah), our extended families, and friends who have touched our lives. But most of all we remember the birth of our Savior, who has given us all that we have, and brings peace, hope, and light to our lives. Merry Christmas to all our loved family and friends!

Happy Birthday to Mark!

It's hard to believe that Mark, our oldest son, is 29 years old. It seems like yesterday when Mark's older sisters were first introduced to him after he was born, and 21 month old Lauren said, "What a silly baby!"

Mark was a sweet, happy little boy, who played well with his siblings, loved the new babies, and didn't give us any worries, other than the time he fell out of a two story window. He miraculously survived without injury, defying gravity and missing a square of concrete below.

Mark grew up to be an artist (he created the mural pictured above for a wall in our high school), an Eagle Scout, adventurer, out-doors man (he is snowboarding with brother Andy in above photo). He went on a 2 year mission to Latvia, Estonia, Belarus (bottom, left photo), and then graduated from BYU (microbiology/chem) and went on to dental school at U.T.San Antonio (he'll graduate in May). His two greatest accomplishments are marrying his lovely bride Courtney and .....

becoming a brand-new father! Mark loves children and will be a great Dad to sweet little Colby. We love you Mark!

a birthday salute

Couldn't let this week go by without doing a birthday blog for our oldest child, Emily, who was born on a beautiful sunny day on Dec. 3, 1975. ( For this year, I'm going to do a birthday blog salute for each of my children and their spouses (so look out!).) Next year, it'll be for the grandchildren -- after that, who knows.) We feel so blessed to have had Emily as our super exciting first child. Emily was such a sweet, good baby, and as she grew, showed a very compassionate nature. She'd clean up the house without being asked to, and,with her sister Lauren, was such a help with babysitting. The highlights of her life are her mission to northern Germany and her marriage to a very sweet, caring husband and the birth of her own four beautiful children. She is also a very good cook, interior designer, and an awesome graphic designer and artist (who is a few credit hours short of her degree in graphic design, due to the birth of her first baby). Emily also loves music, has played the piano growing up, and has sung in choir in junior high and high school. (When she was a toddler, my piano teacher heard her singing and told me she has "perfect pitch".) Well, hope all this bragging hasn't embarrassed you too much, Emily. Happy Birthday ! We love you!

Something to be thankful for!

On Wednesday, we headed to San Antonio with a turkey and all the trimmings, and came back on Saturday, the proud grandparents of our 8th grandchild, Colby Michael. Usually, the gang all comes to our house, but with Lauren and Dan's family heading to Utah and Emily home with her new baby, we decided to take Thanksgiving to Mark and Courtney's, hoping the baby would make his arrival while we were there. On turkey day, Courtney was feeling too miserable to eat anything. That evening, we all headed for the hospital and got to be there to welcome this precious baby, when he entered the world, very early the next day.

Three generations of Ellis men (including the first grandson to carry on the family name)

The number 8 is Colby's lucky number: We have 8 children. Colby is our 8th grandchild. Colby was born on Nov. 28, 2008, weighing in at 8 lbs. 9 oz.

weekend get-away

The weather was perfect when we arrived in Austin on Friday, warm and sunny. I had fun running half of the boys' course (Grandpa walked it), and then we relaxed by the duck pond. The next day, the day of the state cross country meet, the first really cold front blew in, with chilly 20 to 30 mile gusts of wind. Carl could hardly see where he was running, with all the dust blowing in his eyes. His time wasn't his best, and his team didn't place very high, but they had so much fun going to state in a chartered bus, staying overnight at a hotel, eating out, and competing with the best from all over the state. It was awesome of Mark and Courtney to join us. What a trooper Courtney is, ready to have that baby any day and walking around Old Settlers Park to help cheer on Carl. After the meet, we went to a nearby Ikea to get their baby crib (but it was out of stock). We had fun walking around, looking at all the cute stuff. We went out to eat and parted ways--back to San Antonio for the expectant parents and back to Houston for us. (Thanks for coming, Mark and Courtney. Courtney looks so great for being in the 9th month, but she's definitely ready to pop.)

A very busy week!

I just got back from helping Emily this past week. While she took care of new baby Laila, who is very good and calm, I helped with the kids and did the cooking. The house was so clean, I didn't have to do any housework other than sweep the kitchen floor and fold some laundry. I sure enjoyed the grandkids and new grandbaby.

We celebrated Brian's birthday while I was there. He played one of our favorite new games with us, "Horton Hears a Who". Brian has so much fun when his mother-in-law comes for a visit!The day after I got home, Grandpa and I hopped in the car to watch Carl and his team win 3rd place at the regional meet (after coming in 1st at the district meet). They made it to State! So next weekend, we head to Austin to watch that.
Go Mustangs!

grandchild # 7

I was out running when Brian called saying Emily had the baby -- 2 weeks early. Philip took the message and mistakenly told me she weighed 6 lb. 8 oz. (I was worried about our little "preemie"). We headed out to Beaumont that day (after watching Carl run in the district cross country meet) to greet our healthy, 8 lb. 9 oz. new granddaughter, Laila Isabella. What a joy to hold her in my arms! She was so alert, looking all around, and making good eye contact. Emily looked great and didn't seem tired, just happy and relieved. I'm heading out on Monday to help Emily for a week, and enjoy those precious grandkids.

Here are the kids meeting baby sister for the first time. Dario takes his role of big brother very seriously and loves holding Laila. Aiden is very excited, while sweet Ava isn't too sure of what's going on. (Stay tuned for more photos in a week, and check out Emily's blog -- she's already made an entry her first day home from the hospital!)