Our Texas Getaway Adventures

Top 10 reasons why we LOVE our Texas Vacations!
1. Sun and sleep! Elise fell fast asleep in the stroller at Sea World

2. Alex learns to drive the boat. He really was excited!

3. Tanner learns to drive the boat. Lake LBJ is fantastic in May during the weekdays!

4. A beer and a boat. Matt will kill me for putting this one out there, but hey, it is what it is.

5. Cave adventures in the hill country. Our guide was a bit long winded and Alex motioned for me and quietly asked, "is this guy making any sense?"

6. Sea World with Sami and Julia 7. Staying in a cool hotel in San Antonio so we can enjoy a full day at Sea World!8. Boating in Granpa's boat on lake LBJ. Obviously, this one makes it several times on the list since we try to get out swimming and skiing every day! 9. Spending time on the back porch with Mimi's dog, Buddy.10.Happy hour with Grandmimi and Granpa every night! Mimi and Papa Frank join us each night, but getting a picture of those two is nearly impossible.

Alex's 6th birthday celebration

Turning 6 in Texas at his Granmimi and Granpa's house has it's advantages! Pancakes in the morning and presents right afterwards!

Star Wars was the hit of the day

Daddy and Grandmimi aleady sharing photos and Alex bliss in the aftermath of gifts.

Elise seemed to enjoy the show too!

Some adventures in the long winter

We are all set up to school in our office. Most days it's very fun. Some days it's a lot of work on all of our parts. For the most part, we have really enjoyed this year together and when I look back, it's had some extraordinary moments. I wouldn't trade it for anything. One benefit has been the extra-curricular activities that the boys and their friends in our co-op have enjoyed. This gymnastics class is phenomenal with a Bulgarian coach, Ivan. The boys are much more enthusiastic when their friends, Hannah and Ava join them. This is Tanner trying out the rings. Alex and Ava.Ivan helping Alex finish his back roll.Alex and Tanner have also taken a PE class at the local rec center which has included an aray of sports such as rock climbing, flag football, hockey and running a mile. We've met a great family through this program too! Our newest addition, "mousie" a pet rat. This started out as a favor to a friend who wanted to get rid of the rat due to purchasing a new pet dog. She brought mousie (as Leesy has named her) over and Tanner fell in love. He's been so great about taking care of her and we've all kind of gotten to like her. Kind of.......

Long claws keep us covered as we hold her.

The new 2009 Christmas list

This year, in an effort to make the meaning of Christmas sink in a bit, the kids and I came up with a list of things to do. One each day until Christmas. Here is the original list written by Tanner. He abbreviates to avoid writing full sentences. Some of the items on the list such as#10 include giving away dollars to any person asking for money on the street, or #12, kids make and serve dinner to the adults night. We had a McDonald's night where we paid for the car behind us. I'm not sure who was more excited, Matt or the kids! It was very fun and we've kicked off the month with JOY.

Today, Tanner worked on his fear of "public speaking" by doing 2 magic tricks in front of a crowd at the nursing home. They loved him! Here are the kids with their Christmas list of things to do this month. Three checked off!

Halloween 2009

You would think these brothers....ah hmmm...space guy and batman, were best friends, wouldn't you? Papa Frank and Mimi arrived from Texas on Halloween night! We had a great week with them and unfortunately after this night, I couldn't locate my camera!Elise and friend, Carson.The room full of balloons was a HUGE hit! Yes, mom and dad joined in the fun of dressing up this year as roller derby girl and roller derby fan. The Ca-sassin was on fire! Love my obsessed fan, too. Little Leesy as our lady bug... Carved beautiful pumpkins at Nana and Papa's house.

Some new additions at the Cabin

"I'll show you how to ride this thing, Leesy!" She's as much a "gearhead" as her brothers at this point. Alex, on the new swing Daddy put up!Mommy and Elise love to swing on the porch in our sky chairs.Okay, Tanner LOVES this 4 wheeler! He manages it very well, too! And, yes, daddy did buy him all the safe gear to go on it! And, our little Elise showing off that sweet smile!

SLC highlights

Ryan and Shauna introduced us to paddleboarding on the great Salt Lake. The lake is so crazy, tasting saltier than the ocean and attracting unusual bugs and spiders all over. Paddleboarding is one of a handful of recreational attempts on the lake.

The boys loved the adventure!

Shauna's family basically started this whole tradition of Saturday mornings at the lake. Lots of hawaiian influence in food, music and fun. We loved the experience. Here is a picture of the huge "canoes" (because I can't remember the official name) that we took out on the lake.

On our trip up to SLC, we stopped in and admired the huge gorge at Twin Falls.