Skating Adventure

This was our very first skating adventure since both kids are old enough to be able to do it!  Toby turned 9 and we were invited to celebrate!  I cannot believe that he is 9!  Just seems like yesterday his mom and I were driving to high school together every morning!
Both kids were so excited!  Brooklyn was encouraging Colson the whole way there that if he falls, it is ok!  Just get back up and keep on trying!  Well, that proved to be easier said then done for her!  Once the kids got the walkers on wheels, they did much better!  Before that, we had tears from Brooklyn and laughter from Colson every time he fell...and he fell hard!
Such a fun time!!

ART

Brooklyn made the Spring art show last year and was thrilled.  Her goal this year was to make the Rodeo Art Show in her district.  We have been getting updates almost every Monday night telling us what she is doing for her project, what was going right and what she felt were huge mistakes!  Her teacher, Miss Dickerson, read a poem to them about a red cow that had meadow flowers in her mouth and guided the kids through a drawing.  They all used the medium of watercolor.  She was so upset one day when she said that she put the head in the middle and ran out of room for the body so she had to smush up the body.  She also said it was a HUGE mistake when she dropped a drop of red paint on the green grass.  We were so excited when we got the certificate and invitation to visit the Rodeo Art Exhibit in Klein where her art would be displayed.  Her art went to the district contest where they were all judged by local judges and given blue, red, white ribbons, black ribbons for finalists to go to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and best in show awards which were moving to the next level.  We were joined by all of the Lewis side of the family and almost all of the Alford side of the family to see her red cow!  She entitled her work IZZY.  We were even more thrilled to see the blue ribbon attached to her work!  She is truly an artist!

Mercer Arboretum

We had a blast last weekend taking some time to go enjoy the beautiful weather!  We loved going to Mercer Arboretum and just walking around, checking out what was and was not in bloom, and noticing soooo many changes going on there!  A great family morning!

The cod in the pond reminded Brooklyn of Memaw and Pop's old pond

Bamboo shoots!

Standing on the edge looking at Spring Creek

We thought these turtles were fake because they were so still until Curt threw a pine cone....oooppps!  They were real!

Legos, Lego Friends, and Trio OH MY!

Our house is full of building sets for both of the kids!  It is amazing the enjoyment from building and the satisfaction and imagination that we have seen when playing with what they have built!  Brooklyn is in love with her Lego Friends sets...totally girly!  Colson feels like a grown boy when he is playing with his Trio sets, lego sets, and superheroes.....totally rough and tumble!  Here are a few of their builds...there are too many to picture!

Gymnastics and Dancing

The kids had a blast at Mallory's and Reese's birthday parties.  Mallory had hers at a gymnastics place where we all got to enjoy some running around and ring work!  Reese had a girl only party that was ballerina themed.  Brooklyn was the oldest of the group and had a blast showing the little ones how it is done!

New Year's Eve 2012

We had a pretty low-key and fun New Years celebration!  We went over early in the evening to the Pierrel home and ordered in dinner with them...yummy Mexican food.  We let the kids play for a while as other people streamed in the house for the night and then braved the rain outside for firework time!  When Laurie asked Nick how much he spent on fireworks, he said he bought the "memory making package" which was the theme with each display we saw or heard!  We opened the back of the cars and piled the kids and ladies in to watch but avoid the rain.  We had a great time watching them and the neighbors whose memory making package was very amazing also!
We left about 10 so we could get home before all of the craziness on the roads.  We were in bed early and enjoyed the night tremendously.  Thank you for having us over Nick and Laurie.

2012 was a year that entailed so many changes.  Colson changed schools to Primrose, I changed jobs to Conroe ISD and changed grade levels, my Granny moved from Memphis to my parents house for caregiving purposes, and friends have become closer and started to drift apart.  It is amazing what one year can bring.  I cannot wait to see what is in store in 2013!

Christmas Morning 2012

There is something so unexplainable about waking up on Christmas morning with young children!  It truly is the most magical moment of the year for me having children.  The true amazement in their eyes is beyond words.  It was wonderful!
The kids put out cookies for Santa and Colson got to make our reindeer oatmeal this year!  Brooklyn had her traditional nativity scene out for Santa to see that she draws each year.  She asked before she went to bed if she could leave Santa $10...I told her that I was sure that he would not accept it because he truly does things for the simple fact of seeing kids smiling faces.  She was ok with that but was sad to not leave anything for him.
Brooklyn woke up full of energy and excitement...we had to wake up Colson and he truly had to take a minute to wake up and embrace the moment!  This is so telling of how they each wake up every morning! Brooklyn was so excited to see that Santa answered her questions in her letter!!!
Brooklyn's favorite gift from Santa: her desk and Lego Friends
Colson's favorite gift from Santa: his Trio sets (Joker-bot)