As tradition holds, we made it a point to visit Primrose School at Vista Ridge for their annual Breakfast with Santa activity. This was our third year attending and we certainly enjoy it every year for so many reasons - the smiles, the friendships, the donuts, and the priceless pics with Santa. Our first year I was very pregnant and learning my role as the assistant director at PSVR. Last year Savannah was just the right age to have extreme stranger anxiety and she was NOT pleased with our conviction to get a picture of her with Santa. This year cousin Noni came along and showed her how it is done. She still wasn't happy about being so close to Santa, but we really couldn't pass up the chance to torture our children with holiday delight! lol.
Michael is participating in his first ever fundraiser! In an effort to support the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, he is registered for the BP MS 150 Houston to Austin bike ride on April 16-18th of 2010.
Not only is he excited to fulfill a personal challenge but he is also doing it to raise awareness and funds to help the National MS Society. This cause helps to fund research, advocate for change, and help people with MS and their families lead powerful lives.
For more information on MS and what the society does, click here.
Michael will be cycling on Team Shell alongside his brothers Alex and Dwayne from Houston to Austin. These guys are great competitors and friends. If you want to show Michael your support, post a comment, give him a call, send him an email, or make a donation here, no matter the size.
We'll keep you posted on his progress and the event as it gets closer. Thanks for your love and support.
It has recently turned cold here in Austin. Last week we were covering up the marigolds and shrubs in the front flower beds because we were experiencing freezing temperatures overnight. And then in the news they announced the weather forecast you rarely hear in Central or South Texas - Friday had a chance of snow... Local schools and businesses asked people to keep a watch on the weather forecast and be aware of possible delays, slow starts or closures. My local facebook friends were plotting a day inside with hot chocolate and Christmas movies. Snow in Texas! It was exciting! We had an ice storm in central TX three years ago and then there was a good snowfall here five years ago. So these 'precious' moments come few and far between. When Friday morning was just plain cold and with nothing to call home about, it seemed like the snowy forecast wasn't going to be so. Life went on as usual. I addressed some Christmas letters (if you're reading this you'll likely get one soon!) and upon finishing, got the girls ready so that we could walk to the mailbox before the mail carrier arrived. We bundled up, put on shoes, coats, hats and gloves then got Lexi in the stroller ready to leave. Savannah likes to help push the stroller most days. Then as we opened the door, we stepped outside to snow flurries. What luck! The girls and I were fortunate to be outside for the complete fifteen minutes that the Austin area saw snow last week. In the time that it took us to walk to the mailbox and then meander back home, the flurries were done and the sun was shining brightly again. Such is Texas weather! It didn't last long so we missed out on the pics but it was fun to have snow for a few brief moments and see the looks on my girls faces as they were taking it all in.
I love capturing the expressions of wonder and fun as Savannah takes in the world!
So Alexandra was definitely happier in the warm stroller, but who can pass up a cute pic of two babies in a swing?! Pretty soon they won't both fit.
We sure had a nice time with the family in Houston this past Thanksgiving. The food was delicious and abounding (especially desserts - my favorite), the company was great, and we got to meet some new faces as well as see some familiar ones.
Michael especially enjoyed his time with his brothers as he, Dwayne, and Alex went cycling every morning. Who knew Houston has such nice cycling trails?! All three are training to ride in the MS150 next year in April; so they have lots of endurance training to do.
Savannah especially enjoyed squealing with her cousin Kioni and playing with her toys and things. With her it seems like other kids' toys are always better than her own. She also enjoyed playing at the park, climbing the stairs, taking baths and going for walks with her cousin and the doggies.
Lexi was practically perfect the whole time too. Well almost! At one point I left the girls with the aunties for a short time (to bring a spare key to the bikers who had locked a car key in the car :-) ) and about twenty minutes before I made it back, my usually quiet and happy Alexandra was screaming mad and wanted to eat right that moment. So I got the update phone call and hurried back to nurse the little one. Five minutes after she had calmed down, her aunty's ears were still ringing from Lexi's hollering. She's such a screamer, her poor aunty's had seriously considered introducing Lexi to solid food in an attempt to make her happy! Yes, my Lexi is practically perfect but she is a fast food baby - when she wants to eat, she wants to eat now. No ifs ands or buts! I'm grateful to Kiki for watching the girls and for doing everything humanly possible to keep 'em happy. :-)
I enjoyed a lot about this trip. Probably my favorite part was sneaking away with my sisters Kiki and Kina to enjoy a movie. Lexi came with us too and slept through the entire movie. We weren't out for very long since we were all tired from all the preparation for the holiday feast, but we certainly enjoyed our time together. I think that we will have to do that again for sure.
Sometimes we have perfect weather and are able to capture beautiful moments... hence these cute pics. Savannah has learned to say "walk" and "swing" - so since the temps have cooled, us girls have enjoyed time at many of the local parks on nearly a daily basis. I don't know who enjoys our outdoor time more, me or the girls...
As tradition holds, we made it a point to visit Primrose School at Vista Ridge for their annual Breakfast with Santa activity. This was our third year attending and we certainly enjoy it every year for so many reasons - the smiles, the friendships, the donuts, and the priceless pics with Santa. Our first year I was very pregnant and learning my role as the assistant director at PSVR. Last year Savannah was just the right age to have extreme stranger anxiety and she was NOT pleased with our conviction to get a picture of her with Santa. This year cousin Noni came along and showed her how it is done. She still wasn't happy about being so close to Santa, but we really couldn't pass up the chance to torture our children with holiday delight! lol.
