December Fun!

After an incredibly busy (and fun) October and November, December was thankfully a little more mellow. December gave us a few more days of Hanukkah including these superhero backpacks from Auntie Rachel and Uncle Warren. 

Who doesn't want to hang out in footie pajamas especially when its cold out!

We had a little family photo shoot at the beginning of the month. Not my favorite set of pictures but a few good ones to share.

 

Every year we deal with the inevitable question of  we had help over the unbelievably long winter break the kids had. Thanks to Bubba, most of my office being on vacation, and Alex having a flexible schedule we made it through...barely.

Allie loved coming to my office and doing "work" 

She loved it so much she took some "work" home with her. 

Sadly, it is the end of football season. Jake tried so hard to stay up with daddy to watch the Falcons game but just couldn't make it!

Jake and Alex love setting up epic battles, this one between the superheroes. It's so cute to watch them play together. 

Not to be outdone by big brother, Allie wanted to set up her "guys" too. I give you Peppa World!

With Bubba, Jake, Allie's best friend Hailey and her mom, Mollie, we went to check out the new Austin Aquarium. It wasn't great but it was pretty amazing what one can do with an old furniture store in a strip mall.

Allie & Hailey with the Turtles. Allie felt right at home.

Learning about Jellyfish

You could put your hand in the water and let the fish touch you. No thanks!

Checking out the alligator

Jake was brave enough to let the little sharks take a nibble!

On Christmas Eve we went to run off some energy at the park with Bubba before a happy hour. 

On Christmas we had friends over for a dinner play date. 6 adults, 7 children and lots of wine makes for a Merry Christmas indeed. 

Crazy crew!

We headed up to Plano for New Years with the Viviers. My Oregon Ducks were playing the Texas Longhorns in the Alamo Bowl just South of us in San Antonio. We thought about going to the game but decided to spend time with some of our favorite longhorns. Once we got to Plano we went to Jodi's (Philip's niece and our honorary cousin) to watch the game. 

God-mommy and God-daughters/Talia & Juliet and Brenna & Allie

One more with Talia's godmom (and Juliet's mom), Jodi. 

The Ducks were dominant and it was a great game! We were a family of happy Ducks!

The Dawgs didn't do quite as well in their game but we had a great watching with our friends Jason & Leigh Anne and Christian, former Austin Dawgs who have moved to Dallas.

Happy New Year and very happy, healthy and fun 2014!

A November to Remember!

It's been a crazy-busy and super fun month! 

November, our other favorite month, began with a fun post-Halloween play date with his good buddy Cash. 

November had some crazy rain storms come through Austin. They were so bad that Allie's school was flooded and closed for several days. Thankfully Bubba was here to help but Allie came to work with me for a morning and we had a fun time "working"

They're building condos in what used to be my parking lot and although it's absolutely maddening for me it was fascinating to Allie. 

Jake has become quite the artist and LOVES drawing so much. I'm chronicling their artwork through a great app called Artkive. Which is wonderful to me because I'm not big on keeping stuff!

Jake's last soccer game of the season was a big success with a win for the Red Chimas and two goals for Jake! Coach daddy says that Jake is by far the most improved and now one of the best on the team! 

Our little social butterfly had a party at the same time as Jake's game so Allie and I headed to Jack's party for some birthday fun!

The sweet little faces of Eli, Allie & Josh! 

They had a petting zoo for the party and my little bunny got to hold a little bunny...and a guinea pig, baby hedgehog and a lizard.

Bubba came to play too!

Allie loves Josh!

Happy Birthday Jack!

Cute little turtles!

The Red Chimas came together one more time for a celebratory dinner. Coach Jeff gave out trophy's and talked about each kid and their season. Jake was so excited about his trophy and the first thing he said was that he wanted to take it to Dallas to show his soccer star cousin, Talia!

It's been on the calendar for the longest time and we were super excited to celebrate Talia's bat mitzvah. She's a sweet, thoughtful girl who my children are obsessed with and whom we all adore!

The weekend started with a very nice shabbat dinner and speeches about the bat mitzvah girl!

Dory helps Allie get Peppa a drink.

Fun, fun, fun with lots of family and friends. The kiddos had so much fun exploring and being with everyone! 

At the Talia's Cup friendly soccer game. Jake was a superstar!

Love these lovies!

Jake discovered photography over the weekend. He captured some great ones below, some not so great ones, and a few to be expected by a 6 year old (mostly butts).

Pipi on the go!

Great one of Papa!

Scott!

Particularly loved Jake's pictures of little cousin Felix. 

Baby Juliet!

Josh & Jodi

The big cousins! Josh & Michael

Just a few shots from the sweet service and fun party on Saturday night!

Jake had so much fun with Adan and Felix!

Just a little light reading!

Super cute cousins! 

Talia let Jake come along on her entrance to the party!

Very nice family picture, minus the munchkins.

Cousins

Probably the best photo of the whole weekend!

Sunday we celebrated the end of a wonderful weekend with brunch and the start of Jake's 6th birthday! Click here to see more about Jake's birthday celebrations!  

Tales from Kindergarten! Thank goodness Jake's teacher sends pictures. I love seeing him have fun and learning with his friends.

Alex headed to Athens for the Georgia vs. Kentucky game with friends and the kids (with an assist from Bubba) and I got set for a rainy but fun weekend at home.

Breakfast courtesy of Starbucks

Jake and Allie had three birthday parties between them over the weekend but and all but Jake's friend Anya's party was rescheduled to the bowling party. 

 

Making good use of a rainy day. Jake made these light up bouncy balls, a gift from his birthday!

Watching the Georgia game, because that is what we do, and to try and see Daddy in the crowd!

Sunday morning we had a few of Allie's turtle friends over for a little play date with Eli, Zoisha and Josh.  

 

Hanukkah & Thanksgiving came with many gifts especially having my mom, dad and the Viviers with us to celebrate! 

1st Night of Hanukkah

 

We were so sad that Noonie & Papa couldn't make it to Austin for Thanksgiving but Jake and Allie we're so happy when the cousins finally made it to Austin! Naturally, Brenna and Philip were greeted at the door with wine!

Allie watches a little football with Peppa and Josh!

Jake and Allie's Thanksgiving & Hanukkah greetings for you! 

The wine came from Dallas in this purple tub, Allie thought it was a better car! 

More Hanukkah presents! 

Thanks Great! My watch is SO cool!

Allie wore her "Super Allie" costume for much of Thanksgiving!

We spent much of the time in PJs and had the best time playing "Cards Against Humanity" a hysterically twisted game not for everyone but we certainly we're horrible enough to enjoy it!

We love our Pipi, Brenna and our cuzzies so much!

Hugs for Godmommy!

After we said our goodbye to the Vivier crew, we headed out for a little playground time and to avoid the shopping malls on Friday. Love this pic!

We had some crazy football games this weekend. They were way to close for comfort but thankfully both Oregon and Georgia won their last games of the season and in-state rivalry games! Now on to the Bowl games!

Dory sent of a special Hanukkah cookie set so Saturday morning we got to make Hanukkah cookies. It was so fun!

Saturday afternoon we got a sneak peek of the new Austin Children's Museum now called The Thinkery! It was fun to check it out and there were even free cupcakes!

Wrapping up Mimi's visit we had a few more days of fun. The girls had a shopping trip and a super sweet tea party while Daddy took Jake to his first basketball game!

Alex, Jake and our friends Ben and John Menfi went out to see the boys first Austin Toros game. The Toros are the San Antonio Spurs minor league team. They had a great time and Jake can't wait to go again!

With a former Georgia Bulldog!

John & Jake and a toro!

What a wonderful month filled with family, celebrations and fun!