Arizona Trip

We all went as a family to Arizona to visit everyone over there. Brandon and Mandy and their kids met us there, too, so all of Chris's family was together. It was fun! It was especially fun that we FLEW this time instead of drive (hence, the reason we went over MLK weekend rather than Christmas - MUCH cheaper). We went to Peter Piper Pizza, over to Aly's, played at the river, to Amazing Jakes ALL day one day, walked the dogs about 3 times a day, every day (note to self - get the kids a dog), went roller skating, and just played and played. The kids especially loved being with their cousins. Fun times!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas

Christmas was a little different this year without having any immediate family around (my sisters that both live here went to Guatemala to visit my parents; we'll be going next year). But we stayed quite busy with activities and had a wonderful holiday. How can you not - it's Christmas? We still went to my aunt Patty's house for Christmas Eve, despite the snow and having to drive 20 mph the whole way home. And what can beat a WHITE CHRISTMAS IN TEXAS? What a fun way to spend Christmas morning once all the presents were opened! You can tell we're not quite used to the snow with all the plastic bags over the kids shoes!

 

 

 

 

 

Post Christmas

After Christmas we took the kids to Sea World down in San Antonio and had a really great time. It was a tad cold, but very fun nonetheless (despite being shoved over by a crazy Shamoo-loving woman while Sydney was on my shoulders, but that's another story). I still think one of their favorite parts of travel is the hotel and free breakfast, though! Then on New Year's Day we took the kids (minus Gavin - THANK YOU LAUREN!) to Six Flags. Sydney still remains my ever-crazy child who will ride ANYTHING!

 

 

 

 

Who can resist a little girl in a leotard?

I love watching dance performances - but like the title, I may be a bit biased to the outfits! This wasn't a recital, jut a little "parent observation day". So, this one's for you Nana and Grandma!

And Brighton decided to try Hip Hop this year - pretty cute, huh? Chris wasn't sure how this would really help further Brighton along in her quest to better herself :), but I figured between this, piano, soccer, Activity Days and basketball, it's all about variety, right? And it can't hurt with the whole gaining coordination thing. (Sorry the video is so bad - I was pinning Gavin down with my legs so he wouldn't run out there with the girls while Carter was climbing on my back at the same time).

Thanksgiving Week

What a fun week of Thanksgiving activities we had! We went to parks, a fun kids climbing place, a museum, did go-cart riding and gun-shooting, cooked out, hosted Thanksgiving, had family stay with us, shopped, etc. The weather was once again just perfect!

 

We also put up our Christmas decorations this week.

 

And like I said, we were able to host Thanksgiving this year at our new home. It was so much fun to get out our China, crystal and silver and use it! We sure missed my parents, though, but did our best without them.

 

My brother Ben and his wife Emily and their 2 girls stayed with us for a few days, and Kim's family of 6 came over for the big day as well.

 

This was the grossest museum we went to - it was all about bodily fluids; you know, snot, vomit, poop, all that stuff that totally amuses kids. Very interesting...We even made homemade boogers. Hence the name "Grossology Museum".

Trick or Treat!

What a fun, exciting day for kids (and adults!). Sydney asked every 30 minutes all day long, "how many more hours until we trick or treat?". It was a fun way to meet lots of new neighbors, and we walked around with lots of new friends. But as usual, we ended the night with a Halloween-themed dinner at the Hurst's (we've been doing this for 4 years now). She's so sweet to do this each year, and we really look forward to it. It was also nice to go back to our old neighborhood and drop by the Haarala's house (our next door neighbors) and see them and their kids. We all mentioned how different it was this year w/o them! Anyway, a very fun night filled with TONS of kids and TONS of candy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pumpkin Patch Days

Well, it's been raining off and on for a few weeks here, so that makes for a rather muddy pumpkin patch excursion, but a right of passage for Fall with kids, none the less. We went with Kim, Lauren, and Jill and their kids - lots of younguns', and a little wild (hence, no good group shot), but still fun. Thanks girls!