Ice Skating in The Woodlands

Every year the city of The Woodlands sets up a temporary ice skating rink that operates through Dec. and part of January.  It was one of the things we didn't get to squeeze in before the holidays so shortly after Christmas we all decided to give it a try.  This was the first year most of the girls were old enough to do it on their own or with a little help from a walker that you can rent. 

Kira was determined to be a big girl and go around by herself with the walker.  We had to skate by her and frequently help her up, but she was determined and got back up and tried again. 

I wish we had a picture without Mackenzie using the walker because really she didn't use it very long.  Her determination made her learn quickly and she wanted to be independent. 

 

We had a great time and actually got to enjoy it as a family this year which was an added bonus. 

 

New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve was full of parties.  Ben and I were invited to a Karaoke party at the neighbors, some other friends invited us to their party and then Tori was invited to a youth party for the YW and YM in our ward.  Before any of the parties, we lit off some fireworks on our own.  The girls really get into it and TX people love their fireworks on New Years Eve.  It's as big as the 4th of July at midnight. 

 They love to help light the fireworks. 

Action poses.  It was actually cold enough that night to need hats and coats.

 The house lit up for Christmas.

Crocodile Encounters

When Steve and Judy came to visit for Christmas we decided to do something new we'd never done before in Texas.  We went to Crocodile Encounters.  It's about 1 hr. 15 mins south west of us, but it was worth the trip.  We went on a tour and the girls got to feed and pet tortoises, feed crocodiles and learn all about them. 

The trainer was making the crocodile hiss at us at this point. 

This is where we got to feed the tortoises. 

Everyone got in on the action.

This is where fed the crocodiles by throwing pellets of food over the fence.  These were only about 4 feet long but there were about 6 of them around.  Then as we walked over the plank walkway seen on the right side of the picture there was a crocodile lurking underneath.  It was creepy. 

We're so glad Grandma and Grandpa could join us that day!

Christmas Parties & Other Holiday Traditions

Both Mackenzie and Alyssa's holiday parties were at the same time this year so Kira and I hopped back and forth between both of them.  Enjoying pizza with Mackenzie. 

 

 

 Alyssa's treat bag.  They also made a wreath from candy canes. 

 This year I really wanted to take the girls to The Nutcracker.  We went to the Woodlands Community Ballet version and I think it was perfect for the girls.  Alyssa came too, but sat with some friends. 

This is us looking at some neighborhood lights by the Glenloch church. 

Another blurry picture, but it's the only one of the girls decorating Gingerbread houses. 

Journey to Bethlehem

This year we decided to kick off our Christmas celebrating by going to a little festival called "Journey to Bethlehem."  Some of the churches in the Huntsville area get together and make a little town with different booths where you learn about the times when Jesus lived.  Our kids had a great time and loved each of the stations. 

 Mackenzie learning to make bricks. 

These were little clay pots they made. 

 Fishing. . .

They also had a stable with Mary and a baby and an angel on top, a basket weaving station which was a huge hit. 

There were several other families there we knew.  Here is Tori hanging out with two of her friends, Sophie Booth and Riley Dingle.  These girls kept following the wedding party that would walk around and then do a wedding dance. 

Kira's Birthday

Our little girls turned 3 on Nov. 28th!  My how time has flown by.  She loves Sophia the First, a Disney cartoon, right now.  She got a new toddler bed and Ariel blanket set, some princess Polly Pocket dolls, and some clothes from us. 

 A Sophie the First tea set from Uncle Erik & Aunt Jalyssa. 

We decided to do some cupcakes rather than make a whole cake since it was right after Thanksgiving.  Happy Birthday Kira!

 

Things we love about Kira:

1.  She's so loving and loves giving hugs and kisses.

2.  She adores her big sisters, especially Mackenzie.  She wants to do whatever they are doing.

3.  She says the funniest things that keep us laughing all the time.

4.  She has so much energy and enthusiasm.

 

We love you Kira!



Family Pictures

I thought I'd throw a few pictures in from my attempt at taking family pics this year of the girls.  I was frustrated with my skills or should I say lack of skills, but I thought the girls looked cute.  Here were a few of the ones we had to choose from and a few individuals of the girls.