Sugar Land Science Museum

Awesome new division of the Houston Natural History Museum is now in Sugar Land. Best part of all is their current exhibit on the "Chronicles of Narnia". SO COOL!! They had 1st Edition copies of the books and actual possessions of C.S. Lewis.

After this waiting room they took you into the room where Lucy found the Wardrobe. As you face the Wardrobe you hear Peter counting as they play Hide and Seek. Then "magically" the Wardrobe opens to reveal the Lamp Post in Narnia and it's actually snowing. It was so awesome, the kids faces were just overwhelmed.
When we went to the White Witches Castle they had this wall of ice that you could touch. Aspen just loved it, she was born to be in the snow.

Though Sicily absolutely HATED the fake snow (she is not a fan in the least, she was literally screaming and waving her arms around), the rest of the exhibit was awesome. They had swords and armor, actual costumes from the movies, an actual catapult that shot of boulders ... everything. Such a fun exhibit for the kids, totally worth a visit.

After the Narnia bit we wandered around to see their permanent exhibits. They have a huge area full of frogs, live ones in aquariums. Fun for Jared and I because while the kids were occupied trying to find the frogs we were actually able to read the displays, which we never get the time to do, so it was nice.

Pretty sure this type of shark is currently extinct, hope so anyway.

These were neat. Rhino, Giraffe, Crocodile, Turtle, Killer Whale and Dolphin skulls that you were allowed to touch. The kids really liked that.

Sicily is a HUGE fan of dinosaurs. Whenever we see the skeletons she "ROARS!" at them and gets so excited. It hard to get her to look at the camera at this point, she just wants to keep growling at the dinosaurs.

Tried to convince Jared to get this for her, it didn't fly. But we got the cute picture anyway. Fun mask, all sorts of Halloween potential.

Crazy Sicily

2 year olds are such a joy. There is never a lack of enthusiasm or personality. So this post is dedicated to my sweet little 2 year old Sicily.
We finally learned to jump and had to make a video to prove it. Don't mind the "lack" of clothes, she's just really happy she can finally get some air.

Toast is always tasty for breakfast. But when you think about it what is the best part of the toast? The middle, right? Notice the big hole in the middle of her toast. As soon as she saw it on her plate she took a big ol' bit right out of the center. Butter all over her nose and chin, but she was ever so happy.
Getting ready for bed. If you know Sicily, you'll know she ALWAYS has her "Burpie" (burp cloth) with her. Lately she's taken to dragging around her blankets too. I'm just glad we don't have to drag the blanket with us to the store.I just love when they stick their little bums up in the air. This is a common pose for our little girl.

And here's the latest. We did a room change with all the kids and we're kind of potty training. All this change has made Sicily think she doesn't have to sleep in her bed anymore. To avoid too much of this we've started locking her in her room when we tuck her in. She doesn't cry or complain so you'd think she'd get the clue, but no. When we check on her before we go to bed she is ALWAYS asleep on her floor just inside her door. So we tuck her back in and this time just close the door, and not lock it.

But since the door is now unlocked, in the middle of the night, she's been joining Jared and I in our bed too. I don't even realize I've pulled her into my bed till I'm way over on Jared's side and Sicily starts to get wiggly. It's amazing how much room a 2 year old needs in a Queen Sized bed. I don't want to lock her in all night, but I am in need of some sleep. If anyone has some suggestions I am open to them.

Beard Trim Anyone?

Aspen has found a new talent. And she loves it. I shouldn't say "new." Seeing as she's cut her own hair MANY times in the past. But this time she cut Daddy's hair... well, beard anyway. I usually have to beg Jared for weeks to shave off his beard. But Aspen asked him once and it was gone. He's such a softy. We usually only get to see his chin about once a year, and that's only for 2-3 days until it grows back. This time was no different.

I must say I like the beard better though. But only because I feel like I'm kissing a different man when he doesn't have it. :)

Brotherly Love

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I HAVE THE BEST KIDS IN THE WORLD! Seriously though, what 4 3/4 year old brother do you know that will push his 2 year old sister in the swing for almost 20 mins. They had so much fun. I just love when they actually get along.

Merry Christmas Charlie

Our "little" puppy has been on a diet for quite some time. When we originally got him from the Pound he weighed 65 lbs, with the next year we had him up to 120. So the Vet put him on a diet, we've gotten him down to 100 and I think that's as skinny as he's gonna get.

But when you're on a diet you tend to take on a few funny traits. Like eating vegetables for example. Our Bunny lives in the back yard with Charlie, and Charlie frequently steals her food. Example shown here, that's broccoli if you can't tell.
So for Christmas, since everyone is indulging just a little, we decided to share the wealth with Charlie. Neither Jared or I are big fans of Split Pea Soup, and since that's pretty much all you can make with a Ham Bone we opted to give it to Charlie instead. He was VERY happy!

Christmas Aftermath

For those of you who don't have children, who don't know what it's like to open presents with 4 kids under the age of 9, here's a little sample of what THAT kind of Christmas looks like.

Let's just say our Recycling Bins are overflowing, overflowing, overflowing!

Christmas Morning

What a wonderful Christmas we had this year. We told the kids they were not alowd to get up before 6 am. That meant, they had to stay in their beds until 6 am and they couldn't wake each other up, they had to wait till all 3 of them were awake. Only THEN they were alowd to go downstairs, open their stockings, and THEN wake up Mom and Dad. They were not supposed to wake up Sicily.

No surprise at 6:00 on the dot we heard them run past our door and hit the stairs. But we heard Sicily's voice in the mix. I was not very pleased with that but soon found out she'd been sleeping right outside our door on the stair landing. Funny little girl.

So after they made a TON of noise they burst into our room to let up know Santa had come and left a bunch of Gold presents.

We drug ourselves downstairs but didn't open presents straight away. We read the 3 Nephi story Christmas Eve so Christmas morning we decided to read Luke 2 before opening presents. It was really nice. The kids were rather quiet and with the beautiful Christmas lights on the tree, it made our Christmas morning really nice.

So after reading and a short little prayer we got down to business. Enjoy!

Sicily got a bunch of Little People play sets.

Aspen was excited to get a Fashion Design Projector Tracing kit with over 400 pieces in it.London's big gift was a Star Wars remote control Helicopter, where as Phoenix asked for some Roller Skates, not Blades. He wanted, "the skates with the 2 wheels side by side."

Nana sent us these cute little bugs that run around on their own. If they bump into walls their antenna let them know and they back up and turn around, supper cute.But the biggest family gift was this. Obviously the kids were a little excited!

We got Mario Kart, Disney Sing It (karaoke), Wii Fit Plus, and the regular Wii Sports. We have been having so much fun, and have already had to set a time limit on play time (that's for Jared, he's a bit addicted).

Christmas Eve

After much wrapping of presents while hiding behind locked doors, we bundled up the kids and went Ice Skating. It was SO much fun this year, the kids LOVED it. And we had much less sore bottoms than we had last year.

I know this shot is completely blurry (phone camera), but I had to prove we ALL made it out onto the ice.

Even Sicily who wouldn't put on skates to save her life LOVED "ice skating." She walked round and round that rink, holding our hands and pulling us along behind her. I don't think the rink people ever realized she wasn't actually wearing skates. Thank goodness for that too, because she was loving life and didn't want to sit on the side lines.
Aspen is just a natural at most anything like this. If you're meant to look pretty she is at the front of the line. But before you think she is as amazing as we think she is....

This is the shot just following that beautiful leg lift. Yep, pretty much flat on her face. :) But she jumped up smiling and did it all over again.

We didn't finish skating till after 5:30, and we were all a bit hungry and not wanting to cook. So we headed to the local Chinese Restaurant. I can't remember the name of this place, but I will find out and tell you because it has the best Chinese Food EVER!

The entire time we were eating the meal all I could think of was a line from "The Christmas Story," "Fa Ra Ra Ra Ra...." If you haven't ever seen that show, get it and watch it. So stinking funny!

When we got home we discovered that the Police Elves from "The Santa Clause" had delivered and early Christmas Present. They do it every year, and every year it's new PJ's. I completely forgot to take a shot of them in their new jamies. So I'll get that on here ASAP.

Hay Ride

The Youth in our Ward went on a Hay Ride to do some carolling and see the lights. We have it in with one of the leaders so we got to go on our own Hay Ride before they had to take back the "Wagon." So much fun, and not too cold of a night so everyone loved it.
Our neighborhood had a lighting competition. I'd love to say this is my house, but it is totally not. Jared did an excellent job on our lights, and they looked beautiful. But for some reason ours just didn't win when you're up against folks like this.

The ride back home was a little windy and cold. Sicily did not like her hair in her face. That and she wanted Mom, not Dad.

But the newest addition to our Ward had lots of fun. This is Reilynn, she was snug and warm and enjoyed to lights the most I think.

Little Feet Pre-School Christmas Party

I have had so much fun with all these cute little 4 year olds. They were all so very excited to have their Christmas Party.

Here's our Amazing Nativity. We only practiced it once before this performance. So I think they did pretty good.

Kelli made some very cutest Arts and Crafts activities. The favorite by far were the little Sock Snow Men that the kids got to stuff with quilt batting.
A little game of Pass the Parcel with totally awesome Veggie Tales Christmas music. They all got to unwrap a little bag of candy.Here's a rare moment of all the Daddies with their cute little ones. Us Mamma's were all busy with the Toddlers so they got the babes.We ended the evening with a gift swap for the Pre-Schoolers. They were all so happy to buy a present for their friend, and even more happy to open a present from their friend. Phoenix was totally stoked to get a Santa Pez dispenser and an awesome toy motorcycle.

Chocolates Anyone?!?!

My completely awesome Aunt Kathy, gave me the recipe for her Mint Truffles a few Christmases back. They are absolutely divine. That one recipe has blossomed into many more. So every Christmas since I've hosted a chocolate dipping party. Here are this years results.
Very yumm-o Raspberry Truffles were in the mix.

Along with Toasted Almond Maple Balls. There were also White Chocolate Pretzels, Strawberry Marshmallows, and Home Made Caramels. YUM, YUM, YUM!

And since there is no possible way my little family could eat all of this and NOT gain 50 lbs, we passed the joy onto the neighborhood.

For those who are looking, there are a few homes for sale on our street. I can promise you a plate of chocolates next Christmas if you move in. :)

Nutcracker

I was only going to take Aspen this year, but when the boys found out there'd be sword fighting they wanted to come too. We loved it! Jared was more than happy to stay home with our not too quiet Sicily, so I had a wonderful afternoon with the other 3. This is our 3rd Christmas in a row of seeing the Nutcracker, I guess it's becoming part of a tradition.
And of course you have your MANY choices of Nutcrackers to buy. We went all out last year and got Aspen a big one....

This year she got one for herself. Isn't he cute!

Christmas Choir Concert

Miss Angie started a little Christmas Choir for her daughter and Aspen was lucky enough to be in it. She's been learning about 10 different Christmas songs for the last 2-3 months. Every Monday from 4:45-5:30. We absolutely loved every minute of it. And Aspen has never looked so cute or proud of herself. :) Here's just a few of the songs. I'd put them all on but you'd be sitting here for a good 30 mins or more, but I can guarantee you'd enjoy every minute of it.

12 Days of Christmas

Silent Night

Rudolph

The Concert was held in the Church Cultural hall. They decorate with these lights every year. When the lady in charge of our Ward Christmas Party learned I could make snowflakes, she brought me over a HUGE stake of square cut computer paper and I went to town. I didn't realize how many I'd made till they actually hung them all up. There's over 100 maybe close to 125! I am SO glad I wasn't the one who had to hang all of them.
Of course what good is a Concert with out some Christmas Cookies and milk. I think this was the performers favorite part of the evening. We had such a wonderful night. Thanks Angie for doing this for our Aspen, she LOVED it.

We Saw Santa

Santa is at the mall this week and next. And on Monday nights you get to take your Dog in to see Santa too. So we made a Family Home Evening out of it. We (I) waited in line while Jared took the kids and bought some roasted nuts, YUM!
Aspen was excited to see a little girl pull on Santa's beard, "Mom! It didn't come off. I think that's the real Santa!"

Phoenix was so excited to see Santa, but when it came time he just broke down. He wouldn't come with in 10 ft of him, poor little guy. The only year he sat on Santa's lap was when he was 6 month old, and even then he got a little teary. Sicily didn't want to say hi to Santa either. And that is perfectly ok, they will when they are ready.

There were lots of dogs there. Some with families some crazy ones like this that the owners just brought their dogs. There were 2 of these pugs, aren't they just so cute.

New Hair

Aspen randomly got an inkling to chop off her hair. Miss Angie was kind enough to do it for us. Aspen was so pleased, because now it doesn't hurt when she combs her hair, and she doesn't have to comb it that often.

Before:

After:

I, on the other hand, think it's a bit short. But it'll grow, thank goodness.

Curley Q's

Aspen frequently gets the urge to have curly hair, so she sleeps in curlers more than I'd like. Well this time Sicily wanted a turn too. She was so funny. Every time Aspen would get out of the chair for a potty break or to get a quick drink, Sicily would just plop down. I couldn't believe she actually sat still long enough for me to put all of these in.
And it turned out rather cute. By morning all the bottom ones had fallen out so that hair was still straight as a board. So I just put in a couple tiny pony tails that were hidden in the rest of the curls and you never knew the difference. Sometimes I wish my girls had gotten at least a little bit of my curls instead of Jared's bone straight hair.