New Years Eve at the Hyatt Lost Pines

Typically for NYE, we have friends 'with kids' over to our house since finding sitters on NYE is almost impossible.   This year, we decided to do something a little different and head out to the Hyatt Lost Pines in Bastrop for the night.  They had a huge carnival planned, s'mores and movies by the camp fire and a heated lazy river pool.  What fun!  We made the 45 minute drive and were so excited except when we arrived, it was pouring rain.  The outside carnival rides were cancelled and the carnival games quickly brought inside but the rain didn't bother us one bit.  We still enjoyed cotton candy, hot popcorn and didn't miss the other things that we weren't able to do.  Dinner was a Texas BBQ buffet with the BEST dessert table EVER!  Afterwards, we went to the family dance off and showed off some moves.  Tripp and I were great dance partners and won a prize in the dance competition.  The rain didn't slow us down one bit and we had a great time bringing in the new year.  Happy New Year and welcome 2013!

A SeaWorld Christmas

Christmas break is so much fun but sometimes we go a little stir crazy doing the same things.  Today, mommy and Ms. Dana decided to take us all to SeaWorld for the day - and to see a 'Shamu Christmas'.  Of course we were more interested in winning the little duckies instead of seeing all there was to see and mommy and Ms. Dana were interested in the popcorn and cotton candy. You can't leave SeaWorld empty handed!

The best Christmas Gift of all............

After all of the presents were opened, mommy and daddy had one last one for  us to open together.  Bubba read it and it said............

Surprise!  

You're going to have a new sister or brother!

WHAT????   We're sooooooo excited to have a new sibling in July!  It's the best present ever!

A Tomball Christmas

After opening our presents at home and a little bit of breakfast, we all loaded up and headed to Tomball for more presents with our cousins and Christmas dinner. We have a crazy fun family and you never know what to expect when at Uncle Mike and Aunt Sara's.  Notice the cousin's picture and the '+1'??  We were so excited to tell them of our new news and I think they are as excited as we are about baby Riley!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve Fun

In preparation for Santa's big arrival, we always make sure to put out reindeer food for his reindeer.  We sprinkle it all around the yard so that they can have a healthy snack when they arrive.  It's a fun tradition and I think the reindeer love it in addition to the carrots we leave inside!

 Afterwards, we went in for a wonderful Christmas Eve dinner made by mommy and Aunt Cristy.  We had stuffed pork tenderloin, scalloped potatoes, asparagus, rolls and lots of other yummy things.

 And of course, we had to get out the cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer.  Levi kept trying to eat the cookies but we managed to leave a few behind for Santa.  I'm sure he'll understand. 

 .......to top the night off before rushing off the bed, it never hurts to throw in a few rounds of wrestling Uncle Jason.  He's 6' 5" so it took all 3 of us to get him down but we did it and he didn't have a chance. 

 

Merry Christmas Eve!

Christmas Eve Service - 2012

 

Trail of Lights - 2012

Austin has some really cool traditions and the "Trail of Lights" is one of them.  Unfortunately, it has been canceled the past few years due to the economy but they brought it back this year.  Uncle Jason and Aunt Cristy came into town to stay with us for Christmas so we thought it'd be fun to take them to this 'fun' tradition.   After all, mommy and daddy hadn't been in years and we had never been so why not experience our great town as much as possible.  Unfortunately, everyone else in Austin had the great idea too and it was pure chaos.  We got to the restaurant at 4pm to have an 'early' dinner but had to wait over 2 hours.  Then, we walked down to the trail but couldn't see many of the displays due to all of the people.  If nothing else, we got pictures to prove we were there and we had lots of fun with our crazy uncle and aunt.  Mark that one off our list - I think we'll sit out future 'Trail of Lights' outings. 

Big News!

Today at church, Tripp asked Jesus to come into his heart and be his friend forever more.  We're so excited for him and the decision he's made.  We love you, little guy!

Tate-ism

While walking through the parking garage to see 'The Nutcracker' ballet on stage, hand in hand with mommy and very unprovoked, Tate announces for all to hear:

Mommy, I'm sure glad it's just us girls and not the stinky boys.  What if daddy came and tooted at the ballet and then the ballerinas would stop dancing and say, 'Hey!, what's that stinky smell'? 

Ah, good thing. 

 

The 'Real' Nutcracker

Because we just had our Nutcracker recital, our mommies thought it would be fun to host us for a tea party and then take us to see the Nutcracker ballet - just the girls!  It was such a fun idea and we all got dressed up to go out on this big adventure.  The tea party was at Emmylou's house and so yummy as always.  Afterwards we went downtown to see the show.  I think we all did pretty good for the first half but by the time we got to intermission, we were a little squirmy.  Ballets are tough to get through - and it was very different from our ballet!  But, it was great exposure and I'm sure I'll appreciate them one day in the near future.

The Nutcracker - SMDS style

My ballet school puts on the 'Nutcracker' each year and this year, my class was invited to participate.  We were the angels in the dream scene and I did great!  I wasn't nervous and I remembered all of my steps.  Mommy and daddy were so proud of me and afterwards, they even brought me flowers.  I'm still not sure which was the best part - the make up or flowers!  I definitely am a girlie girl and love going to ballet each week.