New Year's Events

New Year's started off with a bike ride for Sam and Dan. Sam helped Dan fix the tire on my bike. (Dan has to ride my bike b/c it's the one with the kid seat on the back.)

 After Afton woke up, we decided to head to the zoo. We thought it would be really crowded, but we got there early and it wasn't too bad. We had a great time. The weather was kind of cool, but in the sun it was great.


Sam really likes to chase birds.

 Playing a drum in the African area.

 While we were there, we could go and feed a giraffe. We thought Sam might be scared, but he really liked it.

 Check out that tongue!

 We finished off with a ride on the carousel.

 And we took the train around Hermann Park. It was a really great morning!

Saturday was also my sister's b-day. Happy birthday, Candice!

Christmas 2010

We had a great Christmas break! We headed up and over to Charlottesville, Virginia, to spend some time with my family. We realized this year how hard it is to do fun stuff when you've got to schedule your day around the napping schedules of 7 kids! But we still had a great time. We went to Bodo's Bagels on multiple occasions, a bounce house place, 7-11, etc. Kirk planned a scavenger hunt for us on UVA campus, Dan and I went on a date, and we just had fun hanging out with my parents, my siblings and their families. Thanks, Mom and Dad for everything!

Here's a smattering of pictures. It's hard to tell which ones to choose when the thumbnails are so small.

My parents finished their basement and the kids LOVE it!

 Afton and Charlotte - born 4 days apart.

 Feel the Christmas love. Kirk and Gretchen.

 Mom and Candice.

 Grandpa and Sam in the awesome playhouse.

 Playing in the SNOW! He didn't have snow shoes.

 Bounce house. Candice got like 3 different injuries from doing this. What a trooper.

 Comatose cousins watching some Pixar shorts on TV.

 Friends!

 Christmas Eve dinner table #1.

 Christmas Eve dinner table #2.

 Christmas morning. Afton slept through the festivities.

 Teresa and baby Aiden.

 Zoey.

With the exception of Sam's barfing antics and the flight home husbandless, we had a wonderful Christmas. Hope you did, too!

Dan's birthday was last Monday. He's the big 2-9! I told him he's got to live it up since it's his last year in the 20s. He suggested that we go streaking on the lawn at UVA. (Click that link if you dare.) J/K. Well, there is a cartoon of a naked man, but you can't see anything.

Dan asked for an iPod Shuffle. He got it. He loves it. He also got a drawing from Sam, a card from me, one from my parents, some books, and a lot of cupcakes. I love Dan. He's the best.

We didn't tell him to put his hands up.

This picture is unrelated. I just thought it was cute.

Friday I decided to be a good mom and take my kids to the zoo in the afternoon. Once I got there, I realized I forgot the stroller for Afton. So I carried her around for 90 minutes. And she barfed on me twice. After the zoo, we picked up Dan from work, grabbed some dinner, and then drove around a fancy area downtown to look at their Christmas lights. There are tons of old live oak trees that they wrap up. I love it! These pictures don't do it justice, but here ya go.

This one reminded us of Dr. Seuss.

Saturday was our ward party. It was really nice, but once Santa came out, Sam was ready to book it out of there. We told him that Santa was coming and he kept saying, "All done see Santa. All done see Santa!" And then when he finally appeared, Sam said, "Ready to go now! Ready to go now!" So I guess his visit with the big man last week was about all he could handle.

The past few weekends

We toyed with the idea of going out of town over Thanksgiving break, but in the end decided to stick around and relax. I'm really glad we did! Thanksgiving morning was spent baking several desserts and later that day we headed over to Kirk and Gretchen's house for a delicious meal and delightful company.

The hostess with the mostest. And the host with the most.

 (Check out my nail polish in this picture. It's gold. Actually, it's called Glitzerland. I was feeling very adventurous. Dan thought it was outrageous. I told him that at least nail polish is temporary, right?)

Friday Dan and I got to go on our first date since Afton was born. We went to see "Tangled." And we LOVED it! It was really cute.

It's so nice to go out with Dan. I feel kind of anxious now when we go out because I worry about our kids (or those who have to watch our kids...), but it's great to get to hold Dan's hand and watch a movie! Thanks to the Wards for the baby swap.

Saturday we put up all the Christmas decorations, did some shopping, and just relaxed. We loved every second of it.

Yesterday our neighborhood put on their "Winter Festival." When you hear winter festival, you probably think of snow, sleigh rides and hot chocolate. A Texas winter festival involves pony rides, petting zoos, train rides, horse-drawn carriage rides, and a meeting with Santa. It was 75 degrees.

 Sam really liked riding the pony.

 And petting the animals. Although he always stands behind goats and things and I'm afraid he's going to get kicked.

 He didn't really like sitting on the llama.

He's been talking about Santa a lot, but talking about him and meeting him are two very different things. Sam got really nervous and almost started to cry.

He's getting better, though... Last year:

At least Santa gave him some toys.