December Down-Time

After such a busy November we were really looking forward to some quiet time in December.

I'm officially back to work. I was part-time for a couple of weeks but am now back full-time. I don't mind being back, but I hate leaving Allie so soon. That said, Allie doesn't seem to mind at all. For a number of reasons, we are trying a new school for her but it is right down the street from Jake's so drop-off and pick-up aren't terrible. We're please so far and have also scored an awesome new babysitter as well. Dressed and ready to go to school!

While I was still part-time I managed to fit in a few more school events for Jake. The first was his SuperSports awards presentation. When Alex and I walked into the gym that day Jake could not have been more excited to see us and especially to see Alex. The kids showed us all the different sports they had been working on and then had an awards ceremony.



I was also lucky enough to make it to one more field trip with Jake's class, this one to the zoo. It was a cold day (for Austin) but the kids were so excited about seeing the animals and especially about the train at the zoo that it made it totally worth it.

It is always kind of fun when Hanukkah falls over Christmas. We had a nice Hanukkah and Jake loved lighting the menorah every night and of course the presents!


Of course this Hanukkah was special because it was Allie's first, as her onesie indicates. Below she and her new friend from New Zeland, Woolly! Woolly came as part of Bubba's big New Zeland presents package. Good gifting, Bubba.

Alex attended Jake's Hanukkah party at school. I love this picture of my boys! All the different 3/4 year-old classes came together to sing Hanukkah songs and eat fried goodies!


Stan and Dorothy gave us this stuffed singing dreidel when Jake was born.

Allie - 11 weeks

Jake - 3 weeks

Jake's class went to Ms. Lucy's house to make latkes and learn about the holiday from Rabbi Langer who also happens to be Ms. Lucy's husband.

Jake decided that we should make cookies for Hanukkah. Thankfully, Dorothy had sent us a Hanukkah cookie kit (are you sensing a theme here) which was awesome! Jake wasn't all that interested in baking the cookies as he was in eating them but then we started the decorating process and he loved it!



We spent the last night at a Hanukkah party at our friends Noa and Eddy's. Their son Jack and Jake were in the same class last year and they're always fun to see. Noa manages to include all the kiddos in lighting the menorah without anyone or anything getting burned!

Jake was out of school the last week plus of December and enjoyed lots of daddy time. They went to the movies, the JUMPoline, had playdates and more. Below, Jake at JUMPoline.

I couldn't resist this picture! What a doll!

We're heading to Dallas tomorrow to spend New Year's weekend with the Viviers. Jake is particularly excited and this will be Allie's first road trip. This has been an amazing year that brought Allie into our family! I'm thankful for being able to capture Jake and now Allie grow up through this blog!

Happy 2012 and love to all!

Super-Sized November!

November is always a big month for us with Jake's birthday being the most important day of the month! Check out the post "Jake is 4" for more about his special day!

We were so lucky to have Bubba, aka my dad, in Austin for the whole month. He renjavascript:void(0)ted an apartment for the month and it was great having him around especially since we're still getting used to having a new baby and the idea of two kiddos. In addition to being a big help, I think Bubba had a pretty good time as well.

The weekend after Jake's birthday, Alex headed off to Athens for the Georgia vs. Auburn game. We were thrilled that the Dawgs beat Auburn (especially since they beat my Ducks in the National Championship last year.) With Alex away, Bubba stayed at our house for the weekend and Friday night we had movie night. Can you guess what we watched?
Bubba was a big hit on the birthday party and preschool scene. We had fun celebrating Leah's birthday at her princess party with a real live princess. Kelly, Leah's mom, made every attempt to include the boys by making it unofficially a Princess and Knight's party. Jake and Avi loved the foam swords and I just felt a little afraid that this would be us in 4 years having a princess party for Allie.

It was a beautiful Saturday so after Leah's party we headed to Zilker Park to play and for a ride on the train. While they rode around the park, Allie and I hung out in the sun.
Allie and I were lucky enough to join Jake's class for a Thanksgiving luncheon. Jake's class, the Whales, were the Native Americans and the Bunnies were the Pilgrims.



D'vorah and Jake love the Lion King. D'vorah is Nala to Jake's Simba, so cute!
Jake and Jacob mug for the camera and below Jacob's brother, Max, checks out future girlfriend, Allie. I love Max!

Following Jake's Thanksgiving we were ready for the real thing. We welcomed Alex's parents and brother aka Zayde, Dorry and Uncle Phillip, my Grandma and Aunt Judy, my mom and of course Bubba. It was nice to have them all plus our friend Brian joining us. It was wonderful to have so much family in town and to introduce them all to Allie.

Jake and Allie had lots of great family time that weekend. Zayde hangs with Jake while Dorry has some time with Allie.

Jake, Allie and Aunt Judy listen to my Grandma Ruthe aka "Great" tell a story while sitting with Aunt Judy. Jake and Allie have a Thanksgiving morning cuddle.

Kiddos with Uncle Phillip and Daddy.

Right around dinner time on Friday the rest of the family showed up with my sister flying in and the Toppell/Vivier family coming in from Dallas and Houston. We had a fun Friday night just hanging out and introducing Allie to her godparents, Brenna and Philip Vivier. Brenna is Alex's first cousin and we adore them both and their kids. Allie loved hanging with the Vivier Girls.

On Saturday we welcomed family and friends to Allie's baby naming ceremony. Check out the post "Allie's Baby Naming" to see pictures from her lovely day.

After the naming we spent the rest of the day and weekend hanging out, eating and watching football. With all the end of the season football on it is a good thing we each have one to represent our teams. Is this perhaps the real reason we had two?

There were four important games for our families and happily all the right teams won!

By Monday only my family remained. Mimi and Auntie Rachel enjoy some Allie time during brunch at Kerby Lane before taking Great and Aunt Judy to the airport.

That night only the Diller's remained. We had an early happy hour and dinner before Auntie Rachel brought out Jake's birthday and Hanukkah present! The very cool thing about this bike is the front wheel. The Gyrobike eliminates the need for training wheels and is super cool. Check it out here.

Ready to ride and safety first! Thank you Auntie Rachel and Uncle Warren! We can't wait to share video of Jake up and riding.

Just a little more everyday cuteness from the newest member of our family: