Zoo Day

On the Thursday before Christmas the kids (minus Spencer with his double ear infection) headed up to Waco with Shauni & her kids to go spend a few hours at the zoo.  (yep...you can do that in the middle of December when you live in places that don't ICE OVER).  It was a great outing.  The kids ceased their holiday whinning, epounded large amounts of energy, and saw the animals roaming about.

Some of the cutest butterflies ever!

Isaac was very concerned about the proximity of the bear in the background.  None of us were really convinvced that the two meager strands of barbed wire and mini ditch offered much protection.  Thanks Shauni for a great outing!  We had a LOVED it.

Somedays...

I think I can't take anymore whinning, tattle telling, screaming, running, slamming doors, etc.  And other days these three are each others best friends.  This day  in particular they insisted on holding each others hands, walking around the house, and playing.  My sanity needs more of these types of days!

 I can't get enough of these sweet moments!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

2010

Ben, Rebecca, Natali, Isaac, & Spencer

Podiatry Cheese Balls

Every year the podiatry department has a annual Christmas Party.  We were able to get a great couple in our ward to come over and babysit our kids so we could go out and enjoy some adult conversation.  It was nice.  Not as fancy as I had hoped for, but it was break from being home and my normal tasks, so I enjoyed it.  The real nice part was that I was finally able to meet some many of these people that I hear my husband talk about.  I enjoy being able to now assoicate a face to the stories I hear.

All the residents, minus one.

(Front: Colby, Jason, Ben, Dale, Stacey)

(Back : Lou, Dan, John, Tyler) missing Lacey

At this party there was a white elephant gift exchange.  I won't confess what we brought, it was pretty lame.  We left with one of those GIANT tubs of Cheesy Balls from Sam's Club.  Guess who LOVES cheesy balls!  He was a mess when he was done, but it was so funny to watch him eat and keep asking for MORE.   Man he sure is cute right now.  He is saying more, car, shoes, and thank you.  Gosh I love his little face!

Kid Biz

This Fall Natali particpated in a fun singing group called Kid Biz.  They met once a week to practice, and would do performances around the community on the weekends.  She loved it. And I loved seeing her perform.  

Her last performance was at the train station.  I took Isaac along so he could enjoy the trains!  And he did.  They could even climb in and explore the engine.

December Happenings

Not that anyone else has noticed, but I realized it has been awhile since I have posted about anything.  We haven't been overly busy, but just enjoying holidays and the fun activities that come with it.  We started the month by attending the annual Temple Christmas Parade.  There were lights, fire trucks, a lot of random cars with people waving, and eventually Santa (and the Jazzersise ladies)!!!.  The kids snuggled under blankets and sipped hot chocolate and ate cookies courtsey of Frosts.

We've been enjoying doing our daily adevent calendar which has different holiday activites for us to do each day.  We've made Christmas cards, baked and delivered cookies, driven through Christmas lights, etc.  This particular day the activity was taking silly pictures in our Santa hats.

(Isaac didn't quite get the idea)

We attended the ward Christmas party.  I was aked to participate in a group of girls that played bell chimes as prelude music.  I know what your thinking....and yes it was as awesome as you imagine.  And no, you can't ask my husband...because he wasn't there to see me!  Sad, I know!

Natali asked for shoes with "springs" for the 2nd year in a row, and Isaac asked for Cinderella.  I quickly interupted and reminded them they wanted Pillow Pets.  Let's make sure we give Santa the correct requets, right!?!  

Natali and I had a mommy daughter date.  We ate at Golden Coral, she had won a free meal there from school and requested that we go.  After, we headed over to watch the Nutcracker perfromed by a local ballet school.  Natali thought it was AWESOME!  It was general seating and she picked our seats, right in the front row.  She waved to all the girls, and I thought several times that she was going to run on the stage herself.  She thought the part when it "snowed" was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!

We've had fun starting some fun traditions of our own down here in Texas.  I've been asked if I miss the the snow during the holidays, and the answer is..."NO"!  I love that we are out and about in December and still enjoying morning walks and afternoons at the park!  

Kids

My Little Monkeys ...

...I sure love em'.