The week in betweeen Christmas and New Year's we took a quick road trip to Austin. It was lots of fun to be on a mini vacation with the kids. The love seeing new places, staying in a hotel and just playing all the time. We got to go ice skating on the roof of the whole food market in down town Austin. It was a major hit with Addie. I couldn't believe how she took to ice skating, she can't wait to go again. Court wasn't much of a fan of it, he spent most of his time being carried while we skated.





We also went to the Austin Children's museum. This was a great place for the kids, unfortunately it was half price day so it was packed. Here is Court playing the drums.


Addie playing the drums


creating with Daddy


practicing letter writing


Can't remember what date exactly this January but we woke up to snow, Here Addie is checking it out for the first time this year.


Addie and Court proud of their snowman



Addie


Court

A Christmas to remember

This year we traveled down to Houston to spend Christmas with my Mom, Uncle David, Aunt Lindsey, Cousin Trent, my Aunt Anne, Grandmother, and my cousins, Justin, Jennifer and Josh. It always so good for me to be back home on Christmas. I was a little apprehensive about this Christmas since it would be my first Christmas in Houston since my Dad passed. My dad, for years and years was on the production committee of my home church's Christmas Choir program. He was responsible for the animals. He was absolutely passionate about this. He was the one to coordinate all the animals, which included an elephant, two camels, sheep, goats, etc. This year my brother took over my Dad's responsiblities for the program. As I watch my brother, who is a mini version of my dad walk across the stage with the camel I did get sad remembering my dad. I have seen him in that place on the stage, I don't know how many times and I did long to see him there again. I wanted to have him there for Christmas, I wanted for him to see his grandchildren faces as they experience Christmas. I know he is watching over us and smiling but I do still miss him. The first night we got to Houston we went to the program, here are a few pics of the kids petting the animals outside the church.





We had high hopes of getting to go sledding after the program, The Church had set up a hill with snow and inter tubes for the kids. Addie was so excited unfortunately during the program it started pouring so the sledding was cancelled. No one was prepared for the rain. Mike ran to get the car and the kids were resourceful using the umbrella covers to cover their heads.



The next day the kids and my mom made some cupcakes for dessert. Addie and Court love getting to cook and G.G. always has some fun treat to make with them when we visit. I love how Court's hair is slicked back in this picture. He had just gotten out of the bath.




Santa Claus came!!!!!!!!!



This was Court's favorite new toy, I think he played it all day long on Christmas. It was hilarious to watch him get so excited as the cars went over the bridge.



The Christmas table....



the girl's side of the table


the boy's side, they weren't very good at posing...