Christmas Party 2007

As I've said before, LPM always throws a great celebration. Jackson and I drove down to Houston last week to be at our annual Christmas party. The morning began in the office with a little send-off for our sweet Sherry, who will be on maternity leave for the next few months. LPM Baby Boy #4 will be making his debut very soon! Sherry and Jen are both expecting their second boys and I have no doubt that I will one day (not yet) follow in their footsteps. They are a wealth of knowledge and encouragement to me in motherhood. Every time Jackson comes to an LPM lunch or party, they reach into their purses and pull out all kinds of toys and fun things for him to play with. They even consider in advance what they could bring from their homes that would help entertain my toddler. What amazing friends and Titus women!

Next, we headed to The Galleria for shopping and eating. We decided to change up the gift exchange this year. As soon as we arrived, we each drew a name and had 45 minutes to go find that person a Christmas present. At LPM we have several sisters who are known for the high quality of the presentation of their gifts. I had a feeling that it would be hard for them to present their gifts in store bags. Sure enough, Jennifer (whose mom is a retired art teacher) told us it took superhuman self-control not to stuff her purse with some special ribbon that morning. We scattered throughout the mall in groups of three and four for some intense shopping. In that time, Beth - surely one of our most gifted shoppers - bought a different gift for all twelve of her co-workers. That is some talent.

When the 45 minutes were up, we enjoyed a wonderful lunch at the Cheesecake Factory (which is inside the Galleria). Jackson quickly decided he hates the Cheesecake Factory and he and I ended up leaving by the time our meals came. It was a good thing we had appetizers or I would have been so bitter! He fell asleep in his stroller a few minutes after that and I enjoyed getting to shop in peace. I bought my dad a shirt that says, "Texas - It's bigger than France." But don't tell him.

Susan, Beth, and Sabrina at Cheesecake Factory.


I should have known it would be one of those lunches.



My sisters got dessert to-go and met me at Starbucks. It was the perfect place to have our gift exchange and enjoy coffee and wonderful desserts. Once Jackson woke up I was able to appease him with some strawberry shortcake.

Linda, Nancy, Sabrina, and Jennifer. This jacket, which was on sale at Gap, was very popular with our group. It was given as a gift to one person and three others bought it for themselves!


Kimberly, Susan, Evangeline, and Kimberly Mac


Jennifer and Kimberly


Diane and Kimberly


Evangeline and me. That cute, faux fur purse held all kinds of goodies from Bath and Body Works.


Sabrina and Diane


Sabrina and me. You can find really fun umbrellas at J Crew.


Bethie and her new jewelry.


My beautiful sister.


Our lovely Nancy is sporting a lighted brim baseball hat from Eddie Bauer. What in the world? Nancy is an early morning jogger and this will help light her way.


Shhhhh! Santa is taking a nap!


By the way, the glasses Beth wore in the blogaversary video were purchased during our Christmas Party Extravaganza in 2001. We all had a pair. Nancy was in an extremely short "hair season" and she looked exactly like Harry Potter in hers. We love you, Nancy!