D is for Dallas, Dinosaurs and Dolls

The weekend after Thanksgiving we made a trip 4 hours north to Dallas to celebrate Great Grandma Gladys 87th birthday, and also had the chance to make it to Ellyson Newell's 1st birthday party! But before all the birthday parties, Grandma Paula, Braden, Vivian and I got there Friday afternoon to squeeze in a trip to Fair Park, at a Dallas Museum and see an amazing Dinosaur exhibit. If you know Big B... he LOVES dinosaurs!

Look at this massive, life-sized Triceratops!

I do not get enough pictures of them together, they are always on the go.

They had a "dinosaur dig", so future paleontologists can practice!

Braden had looks of awe like this all day. 

And here's a tip for parents... we got there about 2:30 on a Friday afternoon.  All the school field trips were heading out and NO ONE was in this huge exhibit.  We had the place to ourselves.  Awesome for them to take it all in at their own pace and not a worry to let them roam free!

My little lady...

Sweet and Sassy.

Braden is playing here with the box that has buttons for the kids to push and make those big dinosaurs move and roar.  Braden enjoyed it all so very much. 

Grandma Gladys with her daughters, their children and grandchildren.

See the big pink tree, that's a tree that Aunt Sabrina got for Reece and Addison.  They decorated it one evening and Braden got to help.  Then they all decided to pose with their dolls in front of the completed tree... and Braden, not one to want to be left out, asked for a doll too.  And there is Vivian, taking off ornaments, but heard us say "cheese" and stopped long enough to give us one of super cheesy smiles.

And just for the record, I think it's great that Braden decorates a pink tree and holds a doll, just like Vivian wants to play with Braden's tools and dinosaurs. 

Thanksgiving 2010

Have I mentioned how great this move to Texas is?  You know, the weather, the people, the neighborhood, the cost of living... and finally living near family again!!!  This year we had the pleasure of hosting the Courts... all of them!  That meant 15 humans and 3 dogs for 3 days!  Everyone made the trip to Katy and we really appreciated it.  Braden couldn't have been more excited to spend time with cousins Reece (age 6) and Addison (age 4, just a few weeks older than Braden).  We had Uncle Wayne and Aunt Carmen, and their children - Sabrina and fiance, Scott - Christine, her husband Chad (parents of Reece and Addison), Layne and his wife, Mitzi, and of course Grandma Paula hit town for her extended stay just in time!  I didn't take enough pictures... too busy talking, cooking and enjoying the moment.  A huge thank you, since the ladies really contributed to cooking and cleaning!  It was not stressful at all, everyone did their share and things ran smooth.  We are very THANKFUL to be close to such great people (and these ladies can cook!).

Christine had her birthday that week, so we sang... and had cake!

Addison, Reece and Braden finishing up one of many weekend projects... a Gingerbread House

We had three dogs for the weekend... two of which are quite small and sleep in crates over night.  Well... this is what happened.

Aunt Sabrina with Miss Vivian... look at how grown up my little lady is getting!

The three older kids had a balloon party... and Viv couldn't be left out of the fun! 

Here (in the playroom) are my two children.  Completely of their own doing.  Vivian in the cage on the left... Braden on the right.  Silly kids.

Tis the Season

 It's that time of year, while this year feels different for a few reasons... 1) we're close to and celebrating at our home, but will also see some Texas family, the perks of living here.  Last year we were in Illinois... having left Washington and not quite to Houston yet.  The year before we were in Canada without any family around.  2)  I still can't believe Christmas is next week and I was in short sleeves today outside.  3) We have a real tree! (Thanks Grandma!).  And this year, two very special little people participated in decorating the tree.  (Thank goodness for shatterproof ornaments!)

 It's also been a time for Holiday Art Projects.  Braden is really into this kind of stuff these days.

 

Splish Splash

One of my longer absences from the blog... things have been pretty busy (but if you know me, I like things busy).  I've got so much to share... and almost done going through uploaded photos, including Big B's 4th birthday. 

From Thanksgiving, Braden's birthday, Christmas and through the New Year we're lucky to have Grandma (Paula) here to visit from Illinois.  I feel spoiled as I've gotten a break on cooking and laundry on many days!  The kids are happy to have her here too... as well as her sweet pup, Marley.  Grandma planned the trip to avoid some of the brutal cold in Illinois as well as continued research on the family tree since most of the family is originally from Texas.  On her first day in town, while Braden was in school, Miss Vivian was a bit clingy and wanting to be held.  What did Grandma do?  Well she plopped her in the sink and let her play in the water.  Something only a grandma would think of... as moms we're always too preoccupied with making a mess or something... I wish I had more of a carefree attitude day to day, because the simple act of playing in the sink brought such joy to my sweet little lady. 

Mesmerized...

 Curiosity...

Goofiness...

Silly Girl...

Beautiful Bliss...

Innocence.