Happy Hanukkah

We gave the girls yesterday their Hanukkah presents from Grandpa Stan & Grandma Cindy (Aaron's Dad & stepmom). The girls were very excited to receive more presents. They got food for their kitchen and Natalie got a very cute chef's outfit. Natalie wore the apron but Izzie wanted to wear the hat. Now in addition to coffee we get to have sandwiches too! The food came in cute baskets so now they walk around the house with their baskets full of food and Natalie pretends to be going to the grocery store.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all our family and friends. We had a great Christmas Eve & Christmas Day. Sue (Aaron's mom) arrived without any issues on Tuesday afternoon. Natalie waited patiently for her to get home. She was so excited to see her and show her around. She even requested Grandma read her books before bedtime that night.

This morning Natalie was all excited for presents. She did not want to wait for Izzie to wake up but luckily Izzie woke up early and they all opened presents together. Izzie lost interest halfway through and started playing with the wrapping paper. Natalie was very excited with all the gifts and just opened anything that got put in front of her.

The girls got a kitchen (pink of course) with all the accessories for it (appliances, dishes, pots and food). They also got a table and chairs, a dollhouse, baby dolls, baby stroller, baby cradles and highchair. Needless to say lots of girl toys but they are loving it. Natalie is such a little mommy. Izzie is just playing along trying to imitate Natalie.

Sue & Aaron made dinner which was delicious and we had a great day. Natalie kept feeding us cookies & coffee from her new kitchen :-)

Here are some pictures from yesterday and today.

Firsts

We have been keeping busy with the girls trying out some new fun things to do. On Thursday night we met with our friends Kristin and Ryan and their twin boys Luke & Logan and we went to the Trail of Lights in Austin's Zilker Park. It is a little over a mile walk of Holiday lights and different scenes. We tried to go as early as we could but it opens at 7pm and traffic was really bad so we did not get there until 7:30 which is the girls bedtime so they were a little tired. We had them in their pjs and they rode in the stroller. Natalie walked for a little bit but then got tired and I think she got scared of all the big crowds of people. But they really enjoyed looking at all the lights.

On Friday afternoon we went to see Playhouse Disney Live. Natalie's favorite cartoons (actually the only thing she wants to watch) is Mickey Mouse. We were not sure how Izzie was going to do. Aaron was ready to spend the whole time outside but if you give her a bag of Vanilla wafers she can sit still (somewhat at least). Natalie was very excited to see all the characters and she danced along. She had a great time.

This morning we went to the original Whole Foods in downtown Austin where they have an outdoor ice skating rink. We wanted to be there when they opened at 10am so we got there around 9:30. For the last couple of days the weather has been very warm, yesterday was actually in the upper 70s. Today of course is freezing and the wind is really strong. It was in the mid 30s when we were trying to ice skate. Natalie kept saying she was cold but she still tried it and she had a good time. She tried to walk and could go a little bit on her own. I held her hands and arms and we skate for a little bit. Izzie could not go since she is too little but she wanted to so bad. We had to hold on to her or she would walk into the ice. She got mad when we left and she could no do it. We definitely want to take Natalie ice skating again, maybe we will try indoors next time so it won't be so cold.

Now we are getting ready for Christmas. Natalie is doing a little better on her fear of Santa Claus. She used to say she did not want Santa to come. Now she is ok with him coming but she is not very specific about what she wants. She just says she wants presents. At least she won't be dissapointed. I don't really think she gets it so we will see what happens on Thursday. But she is very excited for Grandma Sue (Aaron's mom) to come on Tuesday.


Entrance to the Trail of Lights


Kristin & Logan




Ice skating

Sea World

We all went to Sea World yesterday. The Blows are still here so we took the kids down to San Antonio. They were all very excited to go see the fish and the whales. First thing we did when we got there was go see the dolphins. It was feeding time so we got to feed them. Natalie was afraid of feeding them but she was not afraid to get close up to them, which is an improvement. Izzie on the other hand was trying to get into the pool with them and even threw a fish at them. The twins had a great time feeding them too.

After the dolphins we went to the aquarium and the kids got to run around and see the fish. Izzie again had a blast. She would laugh and giggle when the fish got close to the glass. After the aquarium we did the Shamu show.

For lunch we had arranged to eat the park in what they call Dinning with Shamu. We had a coupon with our season pass and you get to eat in a reserved area where the private pools are for the Shamus are. So we ate while the whales were swimming near us. Afterward they bring them out and do some tricks and we can take really good up close pictures. It was amazing to see them up close and the kids were mesmerized with them. To make it even better we were the last group to leave and one of the trainers asked us to go up to the big pool and we could get really close to them. They came right up to the glass and where sticking their tongue out and trying to get us wet. It was amazing seeing them swim right there so peaceful. They were in the big show pool and it was empty just us so it was nice and quiet. The kids got to get up close to them and they loved it.

After Shamu the kids played in the playground they have for a little bit, we did a tea cup ride and then we went to the Sea Lion show. Then it was a little bit more playing to make sure they got good and tired for the ride home. The girls feel asleep right away. We were all a little tired yesterday but we all had so much fun. The kids are still taking about Shamu.

Here are some pictures.....

Val and the boys with the dolphins


Izzie feeding the dolphins




while dining with Shamu




Izzie & Shamu



Irene & Natalie on the ride

No More Paci!!!!!

Natalie is done with the paci! She has been using a paci for bedtime and naptime only (except for school which for some reason she is ok without one....). Aaron and I have been trying to figure out when it will be a good time to stop giving it to her. We were going to wait until after the holidays but Natalie apparently is so stubborn that she has her way. Well turns out that the Wed before Thanksgiving I thought she had a low grade fever. She had a cold and looked a little sick so that night before going to bed I tried to give her some motrin. In case you did not know Natalie used to love motrin. She used to ask us to give her some even when she was not sick and if Izzie was taking it she would ask for some too. Well apparently she does not like Motrin now and did not want any. So she refused to take it. I told her that if she did not take the Motrin she could not have the paci. Usually that is the best trump card I have and she usually gives in. Well not this time and as a result no more pacis!!! The next day for naptime she asked for it but I reminded her that she did not take her medicine and she did not insist. For a couple of days she asked for it but if I reminded her that she did not take her medicine then she would stop. She has not asked for it for a couple of days now.

So last Friday we were at the mall and I wanted to give her something as a reward for giving up her paci. So we went to Build a Bear so that she could make her own stuffed animal. I thought for sure she would pick a puppy since she loves them. Well I was surprised when she picked Hello Kitty. I have no idea why, she has nothing of Hello Kitty at home. In fact she is afraid of cats.... but she insisted and ever since Hello Kitty has been her companion. I have been reminded her the reason she has Hello Kitty and it's pretty funny because she now tells you that it's because "no more pacis" and that she is a big girl.

Here are some pictures of Natalie and the twins with Hello Kitty.....

Birthday, Thanksgiving and more....

So the past week has been pretty hectic. Last Tuesday was Aaron & Parker's birthday. Of course the girls were very excited to help Aaron open cards and presents. Aaron turned 34 and Parker is now 9. The girls (mostly Natalie) enjoyed the cupcake that followed. She is getting pretty good at this birthday stuff and kept singing Happy Birthday all day and kept saying how she was going to blow out the candle. I am sure that given that all of our birthday's have come up in the past month she is probably wondering when is hers.

Then on Thursday of course it was Thanksgiving. It was a little weird this year since we were not with the Merkin family. For the past 9 years I have spent Thanksgiving with them and it was strange not to be together. It was pretty much like any other day for us, playing with the girls and Aaron made a very yummy meal. The turkey we had was huge, since the smallest one I could find was a 16 lb turkey, just for us. We have eaten a lot of turkey in the last couple of days.....

Then on Friday my friend Val and her husband Eric and their kids Caleb, Jackson and Tristan came to visit. The live in Virginia and are going to be staying with us for a little over a week while Eric has some work to do in San Antonio. Caleb & Jackson are identical twins and are about a month older than Natalie. Tristan is almost 6 months old. Natalie is having a blast playing with the boys but things are a little crazy here with 5 kids but it is fun watching them all play together. We will be trying to keep them entertained and show them around Austin and enjoy the nice weather before they head back to the cold winter in Virginia

Here are some pictures from the past week.

Happy Birthday Aaron!



Happy Birthday Parker!


The dogs & the girls playing while Aaron finished the Thanksgiving meal.....



All done, yummy!!!!


Jackson, Izzie, Caleb & Natalie during breakfast



Jackson, Caleb & Natalie helping Aaron make breakfast