A Houser Family Holiday!

My mom (aka Gran) family, also known as the Houser side of the family has decided to start a new tradition. Instead of trying to get together during the Holiday season we are going to always spend the weekend of the OU vs. Texas A&M football game. My Uncle Mark, Aunt Lou & Cousin Dixie are all Aggie grads and Sarah and Ellie both currently attend. Mark & Lou recently bought some ranch property in Brenham, TX and built a fabulous house and we all got to stay in for the weekend. I got to see it a few times while it was under construction...but let me tell you it is a masterpiece. Check out the front!

And when you walk through the front door it is fantastic

Sarah, Ellie & Mark were all there when we arrived. Luckily we brought a scooter for Cooper. He took great advantage of the concrete floors inside and on the porch. Sarah made sure he didn't drive off the side.

 Mark had ordered yummy fajitas for us and even built a fire in the outside fireplace. Cooper and Rob enjoyed rocking the night away!

 And when AJ got there he wanted to snuggle right up to her by the fire.

Check out the resort of a room Rob & I got to stay in!

(most comfortable bed ever!)

 Amy had a dance at school Friday night so her and Aunt Lou arrived late that night but were up bright and early to join Coop for some breakfast.

 For those of you that have kept up with my vehicle collection over the years you may recognize this beautiful American Icon. Yep that is my old Jeep..it has made it through 3 Houser girls and has a new home out at the ranch. So we took it for a little ride.

 One stop was the hay bales where this hairy beast helped Cooper up.

 Then Jeremiah showed him how to run along them.

 I even got a little cuddle after he got worn out.

 Uncle Mark pulled out his antique John Deere and let us each take it for a ride. Don't I look like a natural.

 We headed to the game after lunch. And believe it or not the Crimson outnumbered the Maroon at this point.

We left Cooper behind to watch after Aunt Lou. Apparently she did really well. Cooper said she was very to take care of.

He got to watch the game in the comfort of this incredible couch!

 Sarah's boyfriend Anderson  hosted a tailgate and even let us Sooner fans have a few yummy ribs.

 Aren't Sarah and Anderson such a cute couple? I should add that he came up to Canada this summer with the Housers and survived a week with Uncle Mike & Aunt Dixie so I think that makes him a keeper.

 Game Time! I hadn't been to a game at Kyle Field since High School. It was quite the experience.

At this point we are still happy Sooner fans.

And Rob was still in a good mood.

 I didn't take my huge camera into the game and given the result it was probably a good idea. But despite the outcome we did have a good time and are very grateful to Uncle Mark for getting us great tickets! It was a late night and we pretty much all hit the sack when we got home. But when we woke up the next morning Uncle Mark had another treat for us....he drove to Houston and picked up Nana & Fritz. We haven't seen them since the wedding in fact Zach hadn't seen them since before the wedding.

 And look at the delicious pancakes that were also there to greet us!

 I think Cooper is Nana's new favorite...it used be Amy but Coop may have booted her out of that one.

Of course they had to go off roading while they were there.

 I took a few minutes to sneak some pictures of the house.

Here is the Great Room, with a precious couple snuggling on the fireplace.

The master bedroom and master bath have barnwood salvage from Lou's families place in Quero, TX. Isn't that a special touch?

 And the back of the house is awesome with a great view of their property.

Jenny spent most of Sunday morning on Cooper's scooter. We couldn't get her off of it.

 Here is the "Hammett/Housers" grandkids & great grandkid with Nana & Fritz!

And I just love this picture of Cooper and his "Great-Uncle" Mark!

Thank you Houser's for a wonderful weekend. We can't wait until next year when you guys come to Norman!

After leaving Brenham we actually stopped in College Station to meet our other cousin Melissa for lunch. I forgot to take the camera in but it was great to see her! We even got to check out her house too!