Here are some pictures of Dalton and Addie wearing the same pjs. Dalton was about 6 1/2 months old and Addie is 7 1/2 months old. Funny thing is we always thought Addie was a lot bigger than Dalton. Perhaps not as much difference as we remember.
Can you tell who’s who?
Some friends from church called us up this weekend and asked if we would like to join them for a day at the zoo. We’ve been a few times with just us, but it’s so much more fun when you have friends to share it with. Dalton had a blast with their kids. However, Blake and I are now convinced that Dalton has more energy than any three year old boy should have. The other kids were six and four. They all did their share of running all over the zoo, but when the day was over and the other two were ready to call it quits, Dalton was still as energetic as ever. The scary thing is that I am quite sure Addie is going to take after her brother as soon as she is up and walking, which won’t be long. This past week she started pulling up on furniture and seems to really enjoy her new view.
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After the zoo, we headed across the way to ride the train. The kids had a great time throwing popcorn to all the hungry birds.
Across from the train is the Japanese Tea Garden. Who would have ever guessed something so beautiful would be hidden in downtown San Antonio. This was the original location for one of the quarries in town.
This weekend was filled with Christmas Fun. On Saturday, Misty (my sister) and I started the morning off with a little shopping. Wow, that was an ordeal! I didn’t realize how spoiled I had gotten since I do most of my shopping during the week when most people are at work. None the less, it was fun to go have some girl time with just the two of us. We then came back to the house, fed the family and all loaded up in the car to head to Wimberley for the Tour of Lights. It’s basically a six acre outdoor theatre that is decorated all along a walking trail. They had a campfire for the kids (and the kid in me) to roast marshmallows and hotdogs. Some local groups provided live entertainment on the two stages. There was a music garden where the kids could express their musical talents and a life size chess board. Then, not to mention all the lights! The best part about the whole evening that it was 100% free to the public. Donations were accepted, but businesses sponsor the hot dogs and such each evening, so that all may come and enjoy the evening. It was a good opportunity to teach the kids about Christmas and the season of giving.
On Sunday, we went to church to watch the Children’s Christmas Program. Dalton was technically old enough to be in the program this year. However, we elected to just let him watch this year. It requires several evening practices and we just weren’t sure how much time we could commit with Addie. He enjoyed the program and looks forward to taking part next year. After church we headed over to Bass Pro to see Santa and his reindeer. Unfortunately, the setup was different this year and the reindeer were MIA. Dalton still had a great time playing with all the toys they had set up for the kids. He was able to do some target practice, watch some model trains and climb in and out of a few tents. At least we know that last year’s camping adventure hasn’t completely turned him off of camping. We are looking forward to a few trips hopefully this spring.
This weekend was filled with all sorts of Christmas
Addie is getting so big. In just seven short months she has changed so much. Already sitting up, rolling over, crawling and now she sings along with the Christmas music in her car seat. She had her first “solid” finger foods this week. At first, she wasn’t too sure about the puffs (cheerio type snacks that disolve in her mouth), but she now loves the independence she has in feeding herself. She has such a cute personality that is really starting to shine. She loves to laugh at her big brother and is very curious about all he does. Here area few pictures of her enjoying her new snacks and the two of them watching Barney together.
“Got it. Now what do I do with it?”
“Hmmm, I’m not so sure about these Mom.”
“My big brother thinks I’m watching Barney with him. What he doesn’t realize is that I’m playing with his toy airplane while he is distracted. He he he!”
“I’ve lost interest in the airplane. Now on to bigger and better things…..”
“…like Christmas presents!”
Today is the one week anniversary of Addie’s crawling. Dalton loves that she can now play with him. He is so protective in that he inspects every toy before letting her play with it. He looks for toys that are soft, big and free of sharp edges and corners. When asked to go get her a “safe” toy, it’s always sweet to see what toy he will return with to give her. Shamu is currently his favorite toy to sleep with and without even asking, he has brought it to share with her on several occasions. Addie couldn’t have asked for a better big brother.
This past weekend was filled with the first of many festivities to come this holiday season. We started the weekend out by having Breakfast with Santa on Saturday morning. It was a fun time of fellowship with other families at our church and the kids had a blast. Dalton was a little unsure of Santa for the first five seconds or so, but quickly overcame his uneasiness and climbed onto his lap. We had asked Dalton several times the night before and morning of what he planned to tell Santa he wanted for Christmas. Each time he responded with a Sit and Spin. (Yes, we realize he is probably a little too big for this toy. He played with one at a friend’s house a few weeks ago and has been stuck on wanting one ever since.) When he climbed onto Santa’s lap that morning and Santa asked Dalton what he would like Santa to bring him from the North Pole, he quickly responded with a hippopotamus. He told Santa an elaborate story about how the hippo could live in our backyard and he could play with the cows that live in the pasture behind our house. He included details about how the cows could jump over the fence and everything. Needless to say, we were laughing uncontrollably at this point. Addie, on the other hand, was content just playing with Santa’s beard. Perhaps next year she will ask for a Polar Bear or something else just as comical. Here are the pictures of Dalton telling Santa his detailed story of his Christmas Wish.
We also attended the annual Schertz Christmas Light Parade. The joys of living in a small community outside of San Antonio are that they find any and every reason to hold a parade. I think this is the third or fourth parade this year. They bring out every fire truck, police car, ambulance, flat bed trailer and tractor the city has to offer, put a few steamers or lights on the side and have the locals wave from the back. It’s great fun for the kids and gives families an opportunity to spend the evening together making memories. After the parade, we walked over to the park where bouncers, games, a sledding hill and a train ride was set up for the kids to enjoy. The weather was a bit chilly, so we had Dalton pick three activities. He, of course, rode the train, played on the “snow” covered hill and went down an incredibly tall bouncy slide. He was disappointed to leave so soon, but when you see the picture of our tired little girl, you’ll understand.
Horse drawn carriage and the llamas.
Riding on the train.
Playing in the snow and our sleepy girl.
And he never even thought twice about sliding down.
Well, it’s official. At least in our household. The Christmas Season is here! Yay! The tree is up, Dalton and I made our first Gingerbread house together and Christmas music can be heard anytime we get in the car now. I absolutely love this time of year.
This year we are hoping to continue several family traditions in hopes that the true meaning of Christmas can shine through. This Saturday, we are looking forward to taking Dalton and Addie to our church to have “Breakfast with Santa” and selecting an ornament off the Angel Tree. We did this last year, but didn’t feel Dalton really understood why we were buying gifts for other children. This year I’m hoping that he is able to understand how fortunate we are and that getting to help others is a very special thing. We are also looking forward to being in San Angelo over the holidays and taking the kids to Blake’s childhood church for the Candlelight Christmas Eve service. Last year we attended the service at our church in San Antonio. Dalton loved the candles of course. However, it was a challenge keeping him entertained through the rest of the service. Hopefully this year, the story told with captivate his interest and heart.
Here are a few pictures of our future engineer constructing one of many masterpieces to come.
The walls go up.
Decorating the roof.
It’s all finished and now I can eat the leftovers.
Taking a break from building to play with my baby sister.
