New Years 2009

This (obviously) is soda, but I just realized that this might look bad. We even had a mini WoW lesson before we did this. This was at about 9pm and then we went to bed, their first time hosting a sleep over. I begged their parents to go to the New Years Eve dance for me since Alex was working - and they gave in.

Christmas 2009

Here are some pictures from Christmas. It's way more fun with kids!

Thanksgiving 2009

We went to Thanksgiving at the Blackburn's house, in Ca. Unfortunately, all my pictures are super blurry, so these are the only ones I'll post.

All save one of Alex's family was there. It was great to see everyone and let our kids play with their cousins. (That's the one thing I hate about where we live- no family). We had dinner out side, with twinkle lights strung from home made pillars for a make shift room al fresco. I think I may have even worn shorts - November! don't you wished you lived in Southern California?

The food was amazing and we had so much fun. Thanks again for letting us invade you!

Sorry for the lack of pictures, we'll probably be getting a new camera soon.

Random Picture

When I took this I probably had a story to go along with it, but I can't remember. More inspiration to post frequently.

State Fair

Hello again.

I just read Cathy (my sister in law) 's blog, and she's wondering if it's worth it to take the time to blog. I hate to think that she won't, because I love the little updates whenever she has time.

So I figured it was about time I did some updating of my own.

We just got back from visiting Teandra, my sister, in Lafayette, Indiana. She even watched our kids while Alex and I went to play in Chicago for a day. Thanks again Teda, we've always wanted to do it, and I don't think I've ever had so much fun! (more on that at some point in the future because we had some camera problems and I want to post with pictures).

I'll start with the State Fair... from last fall.

(don't the kids look happy?)

The Texas State Fair is pretty remarkable. I was expecting something similar to the NM one or others I've been to, but this is in a league of its own. Admittedly, this isn't saying much because I usually avoid things like carnivals, fairs and circuses; but Alex took me (read: dragged me) along and I loved it! The plan is to go every year, so if you're ever in the mood...

We rode the train down, and the kids loved it. We went on a day day that was kind of dreary so it thinned the crowds out...it was fabulous!

The Petting Zoo...

Alex would try to feed the animals one piece of food at a time and then when they would go for his cup (which would wander closer to the animals while he was focusing on them) he would jerk the cup back and lose most of the remaining food.

Chio LOVED the baby pigs, that's where she and I spent most of our time.

Because it was raining we wandered inside and found a huge pile of dirt for them to dig in to pass the time. Who would of thought?

The Back Yard Circus. Chio was too little this year but alex got to dress up and be in the circus. He was a ferocious lion.

Chio's helping with wardrobe for his big debut.

Can you see how big he is smiling in there?

They got to do tricks on the stage to show how behaved they were.

Here he's jumping through a flaming ring.

The Pee Wee Stampede. I think this was my favorite part. alex got to be in a rodeo. (again, chio was too little - I wonder if she had fun?) They dressed them up as cowboys (hats, numbers, chaps, horses....) and let them compete.

Strutting their stuff.

Here he's knocking over the cow.

At the end they gave him a trophy for being the "littlest cowboy".

Then we bought some lunch and wandered around the park.

alex took these, this is where we had lunch. Those are big swans you can ride around the lake in. The whole park was beautiful like this!

Before we went home we let them run though a fountain. Everyone was looking at us like we were crazy.

alex's Birthday 2009

I don't even want to think about how late this is. But I'm still going to post it.

We had a costume party for alex 4th birthday (I think we even had it on halloween but truly I'm not sure). alex knew that Chio would have her birthday and then dad his and THEN it would be alex's birthday. Well, dad's birthday was 2 day's after Chio's so every single morning in October alex would ask if it was his birthday yet; he thought his should have been the day after his dad's - this year we're keeping track differently.

alex was Dan the Bakugan Brawler

Catching the football

Texas Snow Day

I read my sister in law's blog and she had posted these awesome pictures of the snow. I was so jealous and missing the snow (which is extremely weird because I don't really even like snow) and then, just two days later, we had this. I think this is the best snow fall we had the whole time we've lived in Texas. We built snowmen, had snow ball fights, went sledding, and did all other manner of snowish stuff.

Snowman (one of about 4)

Above is the first snowman alex and Chio made when it had only been snowing a couple of hours.

Kung Fu Moves

Posting the soccer video remind me of this one. Alex snuck up to take this after little alex had been in there "getting dressed" for about 5 minutes.

You'll just have to imagine alex is dressed, Chio isn't screaming and I'm not ignoring her talking on the phone; but you can't tell me this never happens at your house.

First Soccer Game

alex had his first soccer game today. alex came out while I was typing this and wanted to dictate so here you have it from the star: "I do what my coach says. And thank you for letting me be in the game, and to go to the game. And I can't wait for my next game. I love my friends."

Chio took some action shots - these two (above and below) of the game

and a ton more of just the grass - those didn't make the blog cut though.

The whole time alex was off the field he was anxious to be back in playing. In fact, at one break Alex had to go on and talk him off the field to take a rest other wise he would have stayed on his spot and waited for kick off.

This is him getting on his new uniform.

This is a video of his team scoring a goal. alex is the kid that falls over right at the beginning and then gets back up so you can follow him.

I'll try to take better videos next week (because I know my parents at least are going to find this post sorely lacking) but really it's mostly just a group of little boys running around the field, or some times alex gets singled out when the ref tells him he can't guard the goal - he knows how they could keep the other team from scoring, he just doesn't get why he coach doesn't see it. Whenever he gets in trouble he tries to explain to his coach why it's a good idea for him to stand in the goal, it's pretty funny because the coach just says I know, but it's not allowed.