Dear Santa...

Our annual visit to Bass Pro Shop Santa. Still by far the best set up I've seen. There is a car track and foam dart gun, crafts and more to keep the kids entertained while you wait to talk to Santa. The picture is free (but you can always shell out some cash and buy pictures too) and each child gets a free kids meal at the restaurant inside Bass Pro (I never can remember what it is called)

Jonathan took one look at Santa and had a death grip on my arm and screamed. No Santa picture for him...

Another use for the duct tape

While we were heading (well rushing really) out the door to have Thanksgiving lunch with family, I came around the corner and Mark told me that there was a 'slight delay.' That slight delay was my tail light dangling from the back of my Tahoe. I went back inside and when I came out I heard a tearing noise. Mark had torn off his last piece of duct tape to hold it in place. Still works :)

It wild on the bayou

Our nephew Austin celebrated his 4th birthday in December. His party was at Bayou Wildlife Park in Alvin, TX. After going through all of the pictures we took, somehow none of the ones of the birthday boy turned out. The kids all had a blast feeding the animals.

Outside the petting zoo.

Moooo!

On the tour of the park to feed the animals.

Me, Allison & Jonathan

Hi llama!

a very hungry & pushy llama

The camel comes out when you call his name...not so wild huh?

More Therapy

In November, Jonathan started riding lessons. I am calling them riding lessons instead of hippotherapy (therapeutic horseback riding) because this facility does not have licensed therapists on staff, but routinely work with kiddos that benefit from horseback riding. Our goal is to strengthen his trunk and neck muscles, both of which will help him with his balance in turn helping with walking. So far he really enjoys it...he looks so small there though :)

Of course...Jenny got to try one out too. No scheduled riding lessons for her though...

swim and jazz is plenty for our week :)

Halloween

This Halloween, Jenny wanted to be Jessie from Toy Story & Jonathan would be Woody. Well...I learned a lesson this year. ALWAYS try the costume on BEFORE an hour prior to needing to be somewhere. Turns out the Jessie costume was way too big and was just frumpy and brought LOTS of tears. We pulled out a dress up outfit in hopes of a quick change, no luck. Then suggested her hula costume that she got a birthday party, no luck again. suggested that she wear a white shirt and a tie and she could be Daddy...no luck. Finally, I dug out my finisher medal from last year's 1/2 marathon, found the bib and shoe ID and bingo, we had a marathon runner. She was so excited. Next time, I'll rummage through the house first :)

I'm done...lets go home!

Pumpkin Carving

Last Saturday we went and picked out our pumpkins for this year. Jenny insisted on having 4...one for each of us. Each face had to be different, and some had to be "spooky."

At the pumpkin patch

...as posed by Jenny...

...also posed by Jenny...

Jonathan is insistent upon pushing the wagon

Time to carve! After we got to the 4th pumpkin,

Jonathan finally gave in and stuck his hand in :)

More posing...

Happy Birthday Lucy!

A little less than 10 years ago, Mark and I bought Lucy from a pet store. We were set on getting a Jack Russell Terrier. After looking and looking, we found her. She was 4 months old and the last of her litter to go. Housebreaking a super hyper puppy in an apartment while both of us were working 60+ hours a week was a challenge. Eventually she got it. She has been a great dog. Its hard for us to believe that she is 10 years old...and still as hyper as she is. She is the best dog we could have asked for. We love you Lucy!

Getting a heaping spoonful of peanut butter as her present :)