K's Basketball Debut

Today was K's very first basketball game. He is definitely still in the processing mode. I'm not sure if I've ever seen anyone walk the entire game until today. That said, we must acknowledge that the child is a thinker. He has to take it all in before making a move. He ended the game with a smile on his face. We couldn't be happier about that!

Louisiana Christmas

This year we spent the bulk of our Christmas holiday in Louisiana. Our children have become quite accustomed to life in the country and really seem to enjoy spending as much time in the great outdoors as they possibly can. On this trip, they were able to make guns from scratch with Pop's assistance. They also made wooden robots (to be painted at a later date) and helped Dad build a manger for Mer.

We were relieved to see that Santa could still find us at Mer and Pop's house. It might have been the 5 notes we left for him or maybe even the reindeer food we sprinkled on the lawn. I guess it also could have been Zeke, our resident elf, tipping him off. Whatever the reason, we were glad it worked out.

We truly enjoyed all of the time we were able to spend with family. We don't get to see them
often enough, but when we do, we sure make the best of it! The pictures tell the story...

Polar Express

On December 20, we were all scheduled to go on a Polar Express train ride with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and hot chocolate. As luck would have it, the virus came my way on that very day (eventually none of us were spared). I'm glad the older boys were able to go and that J was well enough to bring them. It looks like they had a wonderful time!

Elf Yourself

The best part about creating this was watching M watching himself dance as an elf on the computer. He was in total awe of himself and his cool dance moves! He kept insisting that we "do it again."

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/JQsDPsuG6WwrD3DE5nJK

Virus Smirus

We've been hit...first j and now m. The big brothers have been sent to N&G's for the night in hopes of stopping the string of illness. Keep your fingers and toes crossed for us!

Back to Business

Things are back in full swing! Our few moments to be bored with one another are over. K began basketball on Friday evening, which was followed by Cub Scouts bright and early the next morning. We had an excursion to Schlitterbahn for their idea of a "Winter Wonderland" (more on that later) and our neighborhood luminary event.

Schlitterbahn was fun for the boys...I think. I'm not sure how it possibly could have been, but they kept talking about it. From the website and televison commercials, we expected snow, true sledding, ice skating, a reindeer barn, Santa, and many other exciting activities. What we really got was a reindeer barn that we tried not to notice once we noticed it. It was roughly 5ft tall and 6ft wide with a person dressed as a reindeer. Santa was definitely worth the wait...probably the adult highlight of the trip next to the beautiful lights everywhere. Sledding was actually sans snow. The boys were able to "sled" down a waterslide after a 45 minute wait in line. Ice skating was out because we weren't aware of the need to sign up for sessions early in the evening. We did have fun playing in the playscape area with snow bubbles blowing from machines overhead.

After all of that complaining, I feel like I should say "Ba Humbug." But...I am truly in the Christmas spirit and looking forward to the holidays with family and friends. I'll just try to avoid Schlitterbahn in December.

Baby is quite the character these days. We are getting a great deal of enjoyment from the words that seem to flow out of his mouth... in a very deliberate way. He is truly communicating with us and understanding way more than we might want him to.

On Thanksgiving night, we were leaving Nan and Gran's house. He was telling everyone good-bye and had a short conversation with Gran. She asked if he was going home to take a bath and get ready for bed...he sat there for a minute (the wheels turning) and then said, "probly...not." The next morning he asked for some juice. I suggested milk instead. He said, "cold drink...yeah, sure."