Ski trip

We began 2012 skiing in New Mexico and ended the year skiing in Colorado. What a difference 11 months makes...the kids turned into pro skiers! I was amazed at how much they picked up and were able to do. It was such a great trip, we're already planning the next one.

Fishing Trip

One of Russell's co workers gave the kids fishing poles a few months ago. We have been trying to find a time and a place to take the kids and let them test out their gear. We found a great state park very close to our house and dragged Harry and Barbara along for the adventure. It was a beautiful day and the kids loved it. We didn't catch anything but I'm sure we'll have better luck next time!

Happy Hanukkah!

Soccer

The soccer season ended a few weeks ago and I don't think Russell or I took any pictures. Luckily, one dad's on Bryce's team is a "professional" photographer when he is not working at his regular job. All of these great pictures are taken by Mike Reed.

I love both boys' faces in this one!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was small this year in terms of relatives but big in regards to fun. We started off the holiday by spending the day at my parents. Russell played golf and the kids and I spent time with my father. Chili for dinner then back home so the kids could watch the final episode of Ninjago. No matter that they've only seen one episode prior to the series finale and that it was way past their bedtime...they woke up right on time on Thursday to help me put the turkey in the oven. 

Thanksgiving lunch was great and every had enough room left for a piece of pie (or 3 if you were Bryce). Ivy did ask why we weren't having latkes. I think she's ready for Hanukkah!

Beautiful Day at Butler Park

The weather has been really warm so we decided to take the kids for a picnic and bike ride at Butler Park. Last year Ivy was on her tricycle, this year she easily kept up with Bryce on her bike. The water fountain was on and it didn't take long for the kids to get in it. Next time we come we'll bring a change of clothes regardless of season...

Growing up

2010 

2011

2012

Happy Halloween!

Tinkerbell and the Blue Ninja had a great night! We started off with chili and hot dogs with our neighbors. The kids ran around and asked every 5 minutes if it was time to trick or treat. I sent Russell out with the gang of kids around 6:15 and didn't see them again until their bags were too heavy to carry.

Vocabulary Word Parade

At Bryce's school each student was encourage to choose a word and then come to school dressed like it.

Bryce's word was "caution"

The kids had a parade at the beginning of the day lead by the Bowie HS drum line. 

Bryce's class. His teacher was "disheveled"

A pregnant teacher as "equator"

1st Grade Consecration

Bryce had consecration at the Temple this weekend. We got information about it and in large print on the handout it said "Your child will receive a small torah, please do not unroll the Torah in Temple." As the children get their Torahs, everyone of them whispers to their parents, "Can I unroll this?"

Ready for PreK

Ivy went back to school today. She was very excited and informed me that she is big enough to carry her backpack and lunchbox. I'm thrilled but pretty sure she only said this because I told Bryce on the way to school that he was big enough to carry his own stuff. Whatever works! I

Back to School

 Bryce started 1st grade today. He was so excited. Mornings are a lot easier now that this year he gets ready by himself. Maybe I'll start sleeping until 5 instead of 4:30am. 

I organized a breakfast for the Kindergarten parents so we started our day a little early and everyone helped me set up in the school library. When it was time, Bryce went off to class and got to work.

 I asked Ivy at lunch if she missed her brother..."Why would I do that Mommy?" Ivy starts preschool next week and is enjoying her week as an only child.

Life's a Beach

And just like that...it's over. That's the funny thing about vacation...seems like forever until it gets here, and then it seems like it hardly even was.  Well...even though it went quick...our annual beach trip to Port A was just perfect!  Plenty of beach time, pool time, card games, dominos, and a new found love of ping pong...and that was just day 1!  We even managed to suffer through NBC's highly edited and overly watered down coverage of the Olympics.  I'm not sure what it is about the Olympics that makes women's international handball interesting, but I guess when it's hot out we'll watch anything.

In between snacks, naps, and cocktails we ventured as far as the block to the beach and as near as the couch.  A once stocked pantry was left barren after just a few days and our bellies were all better for it. Cold ice cream, an even colder AC, and a perfectly refreshing pool made the trip exactly what we needed to relax.  The only question now is...will we go back before next summer? (If we don't, Bryce may force us to buy a ping pong table).

We've been to beaches all over the world and if given the choice...I think we'd pick our 2 bedroom little condo in Port A 10 out of 10 times (well, maybe 9 out of 10 if the tenth time we were offered this place http://texasnewmans.blogspot.com/2010/01/perfecto.html - but what are the odds of that happening again?)

Happy Birthday Bryce!

Bryce is 6 today and celebrated yesterday with a party at Gattitown. He LOVED his party! A big thanks to all of our friends who pushed aside the "ick" factor of a place like Gattitown and helped him celebrate.

1 tooth out, 19 more to go

Bryce lost his first tooth this morning! The average age a kid loses his first tooth is 6 and Bry will be 6 on Monday. The planner in me loves when my kids follow a recommended schedule.

Ivy refused to get out of the picture so here's a bonus shot of Ivy to brighten your day.

Tour de Ivy

While the rolling hills of Meridian in Austin, TX don't quite resemble the ascent to Alpe d'Huez, for a 4 year old, the ramp down the driveway might as well be the Matterhorn.  But for Ivy G...ain't no mountain high enough!  From couch potato to no training wheels in a few weeks means she's hot on the heels of her big brother and soon to be burning rubber around the hike and bike trails of Austin in no time. I'm hoping that the bike riding will put off her desire for a pink convertible for a little while...although I'm sure to end up losing that battle in the long run.  Vive l'Ivy!

Ivy's Birthday Party

Ivy's party was at Little Gym. She and her friends had a great time. I loved that all I had to do was bring Ivy to the party. Little Gym takes care of everything!

Happy Birthday Ivy

Ivy turned four on Friday! We spent the morning at the pool. My mom told Ivy that she would treat her to a special lunch. I asked Ivy earlier in the week if she wanted to eat at home, at the pool or in a restaurant. Instantly she informs me she would like a pb&j sandwich with strawberries to be eaten at the pool. Easy enough!

Sea World

 Nana came to visit and we decided that it would be a good weekend to take the kids to Sea World. Everyone had a great time! The park wasn't crowded and the weather wasn't too hot. We saw some shows, did some rides and ate our way through the park.

 

Memorial Day Weekend

We had a great weekend with family in Port O'Conner. The kids got to fish for the first time and loved it. Well, Bryce loved it. Ivy loved eating a snack on the dock. I loved that they ran around with their cousins and didn't need me to entertain at all.

Track & Field Day

 Bryce had Track & Field Day at school. It was loosely organized chaos and he loved every minute of it.

The big kid is a 5th grader- I thought he was in high school. Notice Ivy and I in the upper right corner paying close attention (or talking to our friends, hard to tell)

 Basketball- that hoop was high!

 I have no idea what they were doing with noodles.

Back to Houston

We rarely go to Houston but made up for lost time by going twice this month. Ivy and I went for my cousin Cooper's bar mitzvah. Bryce and Russell stayed home and played baseball. Ivy was a great traveller and loved everyone telling her how wonderful she is. She and my dad took a few pictures. I'm not telling which ones were his and which were Ivy's, she's pretty good!

Polly & Cooper

Mimi and Barbara