My Dad Turns 60

The weekend of December 4th I flew down to College Station to celebrate my Dad's 60th birthday.  My Dad's birthday is actually Christmas day but everybody got together to celebrate before hand.  I got to spend Friday night with my Mom and Mark eating some great Mexican food.  Saturday morning the girls got to go shopping at one of my favorite places, Charming Charlies.  Unfortunately, there is not a Charming Charlies in Hawaii.  After my shopping fun, I got to surprise my Dad at his hotel.  He didn't even notice I was standing there until I said something.  Everybody got a kick out of the surprise.  That evening we got to visit with people we haven't seen since I was a little kid.  I'm so glad that I was able to be there and visit with everyone.  Although, it felt weird to have two nights without children.  I always felt like I was forgetting something.  It was nice to have some time to myself but everything was way too quiet.  I thought two days without my family would be a piece of cake but I was definitely ready to get home!  I'm going to blame it on the pregnancy hormones, but I actually cried in the airport on the way home.  I'm such a baby!

Casa Rod in downtown Bryan with the fam.  Soooooo good!

Thanksgiving Weekend

It's official.  Brandon and I have successfully hosted a Thanksgiving dinner.  The Engstrom and Harris families came to visit and we had so much fun.  We had a very full house with six adults and seven children (all of which were 5 and under).  We had corn casserole, broccoli & rice, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, 2 chocolate pies, 2 pecan pies, 1 pear pie, 1 pumpkin pie and a 23 pound Turkey.  It was a feast!  Brandon was in charge of the turkey.  He smoked it over night on the pit and it was DIVINE!  I will say that I am absolutely fine with the fact that I will never have to cook a big, stinky bird.  Brandon has earned that privilege from here on out.

Before...very stinky

after...meat falling off the bone!

Aunt Kathryn and Peyton

The kid table

Chase and Peyton

Zoe and Zachary playing

The day after Thanksgiving we rode the metro into DC to go to the Air and Space Museum.  It was our first time and the kids (especially Jacob) loved it.  Before we left, Zoe was having a hard time being the only girl out of all the kids.  Aunt Jena sat down and played with her while all of us were getting ready to go.  Needless to say, Zoe's loyalty switched from me to Aunt Jena.  

Aunt Jena and Zoe all dolled up.

We got a single stroller specifically for this trip and our trek across country next week.  It was like going from driving a suburban to a sports car!

I've said it before and I'll say it again, they are BEST FRIENDS!

Yes, our kids are eating icecream in the freezing cold weather.  It's tradition.

Peyton was free to run around while the big kids ate their icecream.

Brandon was so good about teaching the kids while we were there.  I was in survival mode.  This pregnant lady was tired.

Waiting for the metro.

On Saturday we went to the Temple and it was C-C-C-Cold!  Boyd had been wearing shorts the whole trip but on this day, he wore pants.  I'm telling you, it was reeeeally cold.  Jacob actually came to me and said, "Mommy I need another jacket with a hat."

Jacob helped push Peyton back up the hill and Peyton loved it.

I am so thankful that we lived here this past year and a half.  Thanksgiving weekend was a reminder of what it was like for us as kids at Grandmother and Grandaddy's house.  Kathryn and I even sat down and played Speed and Spit like we used to.  We called each other cheaters and everything, it was great!  When explaining the game, Brandon asked, "What happens if you hit the deck at the same time?"  Kathryn looked at him with a strait face and said, "You fight to the death."  Living close to family has been such a blessing and I am sad we have to say goodbye.  I am hoping that we will end up here again and Jena and Kathryn will stay put!  We have so much fun with all of them and wish they would just hop on a plane and live in Hawaii with us!

Nana and Pappy Come to Visit

Two weeks before Thanksgiving Nana and Pappy came to visit.  Pappy was here on work but Nana was able to hang out with us and play.  On Veteran's Day we were all able to go to DC and hang out at the Smithsonian.  This was our first time visiting "The Castle."  It wasn't as fun for kids but it was beautiful.  We also went to the Natural History Museum.  At the end of the day, my feet were swollen and I was exhausted but we had a great time!

 Jacob asked a lot of questions about the dung beetle.  He asked, "What is that ball he is pushing Mommy?"  I said, "Well, that is a ball of poop."  Jacob: "Why is he playing with POOP?!"  That is a good question Jacob.

Zoe liked all the sparkling gems...that is my daughter.

Pappy and Zoe playing in the parking lot on our way back to the car.

Fall Family Photos

Fall is my favorite season and due to the fact that I was sooooo pregnant last year, we didn't get any photos of it.  This year, we went down to the Temple and a little park close by to take pictures.  I got to use my remote for my camera and take pictures of my favorite subjects.

Halloween Festivities

 Every year on the Monday before Halloween we paint our pumpkins for Family Home Evening.  Sometimes Brandon and I carve a pumpkin but this year we just let the kids paint.

Peyton wasn't really interested because it wasn't edible. 

We took Zoe's shirt off because she is usually very messy.  We didn't have to hose her down this time at all.  I was amazed and maybe a little disappointed.  None of the kids got messy. 

 Trunk or Treat at the church.

Iron Man and Strawberry Shortcake

Chunky Monkey!

Doughnut on a string.  SO FUNNY! 

Zoe is cheating with her hands.  She just REALLY wanted that doughnut.

Jacob didn't want to do it until he saw the doughnuts were chocolate.

The Dad's turn.  I was laughing so hard!

October Birthdays

Brandon turned 28 this year.  I couldn't find an 8 so I had to improvise with the candles.  To celebrate, we had his favorite dinner.  Chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy.

My baby turned 1!  I can't believe how big his is!  He got his first black eye two days before his birthday.  Walking can be dangerous!

We had little train cakes, and all of the kids got to decorate their own with icing and sprinkles!

Jacob really liked the blue icing.

The adults had pumpkin cheesecake.  This was my first time making this recipe and I think it is a keeper!

It took Peyton a little while to figure out if he liked the cake.  I think he liked playing with the icing more than anything else.  Brandon said he didn't get dirty enough.

Peyton's Top Ten
1. Walking- he is like the energizer bunny.  He literally bounces off the walls
2. Eating-He eats more than Jacob and Zoe put together!
3. Climbing the Stairs-We have a gate at the bottom of the stairs but if he sees it open, he bolts for it.
4. Flipping Upside down- When holding him, he automatically starts leaning back so you will flip him.
5. Dishwasher- Anytime the door is open, he is there "helping."
6. Upstairs- If he is upset, just take him upstairs so he can get into everything and he will be happy
7. Bananas- Don't eat a banana in front of him if you aren't willing to share.  Zoe has problems with this.
8.Stealing & Running- This is his favorite game.  He sees something he wants, snatches it and runs the opposite direction
9. Charlie- Somehow while walking Peyton doesn't see Charlie and trips over her all the time. I think he does it on purpose.
10. Peek-a-boo- When he wakes up he puts his puppy over his face and hides until we say, "peek-a-boo!"

New Jersey Visit

Over Columbus Day weekend we were able to visit the Engstroms.  We had a great fun filled Saturday of picking pumpkins and apples.  The adults even got to go on a double date!  Jacob and Adam are best friends, but if Jacob heard me say that he would correct me by saying, "We are best COUSINS!"  I didn't get very many pictures of our families interacting but I promise we did.  I am going to miss them so much when we move to Hawaii.  Saying goodbye after Thanksgiving is not going to be easy.