2013 Top Ten

1. Brad got a new job with Conocco Phillips

2. Emily met one of her childhood TV icons

3. Carson learned how to spell his name

4. Tanner turned into a dare devil at the pool

5. Moved to Katy, TX

6. Sold/Bought new home

7.  Loved exploring our new home state of Texas

8.  Brad and Emily ran a 5k together

9. Loved going to the beach

10.  Found out baby #3 will be joining our family around the 4th of July

What a year its been!  Filled with lots of big changes, and 2014 looks like it will bring even more exciting adventures for our family.  Who would have thought this time last year that we'd be moving to Texas of all places!  Its crazy how so much can happen in a year, and I can already tell 2014 is going to be a great!

San Antonio

 Its been nice having Brad home these past 2 weeks to just sit back and enjoy the holiday's.  We've done a lot of relaxing, but thought it would also be fun to get out of the house for a few days.  So we decided to take a little mini vaca to San Antonio!  We've been wanting to go to San Antonio to do Sea World and the Alamo for a while and thought this was the perfect time to do it.

We stayed at this amazing hotel that was offering lots of family friendly activities for us to enjoy.  They had a campfire set up to make s'mores!  The boys loved it.

 They also had an outdoor movie going on.  Although we caught the end of the movie both nights.  Carson still thought it was the coolest thing ever to watch a movie outside on blankets.

 Our original plan was to go to Sea World our first day and then do the other touristy attractions the next, but that first day in San Antonio was FREEZING!  30 degree weather.  We are not used to this type of cold so we thought we'd do Sea World on our second day which was supposed to be a lot warmer and did the downtown tourist scene instead.

Without realizing it we planned our trip on the day of the Alamo bowl game.  Texas vs Oregon.  So to say that downtown was crowded would be an understatement.  We did get to see the Texas Longhorn mascot drive by...

If it hadn't been the bowl game I'm sure the Alamo wouldn't have been so busy, because I'm sure no one but us would dare be outside on such a cold day.  Needless to say, it is one of Texas most popular attractions and all the people for the game came to look at this historical landmark.

 The Alamo was a lot smaller then I was expecting, but the grounds where beautiful.  It is definitely a sacred place to Texans.  Next time we come I'd like to tour the other 5 missions in the area.

We also went on the Riverwalk.  It was gorgeous, but I was a little disappointed that lining the river was just restaurants.  I bet its even prettier in the spring/summer.

 The next day (our Sea World day) we woke up and both Brad and I had flu like symptoms.  So we just decided to go home and do Sea World another time.  Not what we'd plan, but it was still fun to get out and explore a little bit more of Texas.

Christmas 2013

What a wonderful time of year Christmas is!  Full of love and kindness, and the magical awe that it brings to the children.  A time to be with family and a time to reflect on the saviors birth.  Its a humbling time of year when I think of all the rich blessings I have.  Especially these cute little boys:

This is our first Texas Christmas!  I realized just a week or two ago, that this is the first time ever that we haven't been to Utah around the holidays.  Time to start our own holiday traditions!  

On Christmas Eve we baked Santa his favorite chocolate chip cookies.

We read the nativity as well as watched a nativity video.

We opened up the traditional Christmas Eve present; christmas jamies!

 Showing off their cute little jamies.  It was so easy to put the boys down for bed that night.  Everyone just wanted to go to sleep so Santa would come!

 On Christmas morning, Brad and I heard a very loud gasp and then Carson running to our room telling us that Santa had come.  He was so excited!

 He really wanted Ninjago for Christmas (they are ninja legos) so instead of buying him teeny tiny legos that are a bit too old for him still, Santa brought him a Green Ninja costume instead.  It was perfect, because he wants to be the Green Ninja for Halloween next year.

Tanner really understood opening presents this year!  Its funny how just a few short months can change.  On his birthday, Tanner still didn't get it and Carson more then happily helped Tanner open his presents.  On Christmas morning however, Tanner caught on real quick and loved all the presents he got!

A quick glimpse of the aftermath!

 Carson trying out one of his favorite toys he got.  Its a web shooter, like spiderman, that shoots silly string webs or when the silly string is gone water.

Christmas evening we got invited over to our friends house for a yummy Christmas dinner, and while there they received some horrible news.  It reminded me yet again how precious family and life is and to really enjoy every moment I have with them.

This time of year is so magical to the boys.  I love it. Yet I know it won't be long before they stop believing in Santa, so I'm soaking up this time as long as I can!  I hope everyone had a very merry Christmas!

Carson's preschool Christmas Party

On Thursday Carson's preschool class had their Christmas party!  It was quite simple, but the kids had fun.

They decorated an ornament

and had pizza, fruit, and cookies.  Even Tanner got to join in.

Carson loved having me at his preschool and kept coming up to me giving me hugs and kisses.  He also was very excited to show me around his classroom.

Carson and all the boys in his class.  (8 boys and 4 girls are in his class)

After his party all the 4 year old classes performed the nativity.  I love going to a faith based preschool were religion plays a part.  It was adorable and I loved the cute little songs they sang.  (Carson is on the front row, in purple, next to the sheep.)

Carson was a Wiseman helper.  He did such a great job!

Our next door neighbor and Carson's good friend Ryan was also a Wiseman helper.

Carson just wanted to go home at this point, but Tanner was more then happy to take a couple pictures!

Dad even got off work early to see his wonderful performance!

We are so proud of our little man and all that he is learning!  His teacher tells us a lot how happy and obedient he is.  We love him!

Work Christmas Parties

Big Corporate Business sure do know how to throw Christmas Parties!  We've heard some elaborate ones that different companies do here in Katy.  One involved waiters and waitress flying down from the ceiling to deliver their food. Crazy.  

Conoco Phillips rented out the Houston Symphony Orchestra House.  A tradition that has been going on for 45 years!  It was a family event filled with wonderful Christmas music performed by the Symphony, Santa, and hot chocolate and cookies.  Carson loved it and Tanner like clapping after each song, although was getting antsy during the second half of the performance.  They also gave us a christmas present, a CD of most of the performances that they performed that night and a Christmas ornament.  I'm glad this is a yearly tradition that our family can go to each year.  Listening to the wonderful Christmas music really puts you in the holiday spirit.

Brad's department also had its own Christmas party at his bosses house and it was nice to mingle and get to know Brads co-workers.  I love this time of year filled with holiday spirit!

Thanksgiving Part 2

On Saturday we all hoped in the SUV and drove down to the Kema Boardwalk for some fun at the beach!

We ate at this amazing seafood place that Brad knew.

 The Boardwalk has a bunch of carnival ride games that the boys loved

and aunt Emily was nice enough to go on all the kids rides with them, while the adults braved the rickety old roller coaster.

It was a great day at the beach.

For their last day here we went to the Houston Zoo.  The day couldn't have been more perfect.  When our family first arrived it was cold and rainy and each day it got warmer and warmer till on Monday it was in the mid 70's.

It was our first time to the Houston Zoo and its a great zoo!  Lots to see and do, but not so spaced out where you can't even see the animals.

 Like father, like son

 Uncle Ryan was Tanner's best bud while they where here.  I think it was because they spoke the same language.

We had lunch next to the giraffe's and then we were able to feed the giraffe's their lunch!

 Carson loved it.  Tanner not so much.

 Love this pic of you Ems! 

 Grandma and her little elves

The day after they left, Tanner was pretty grumpy and cried a lot of the day.  After he woke up from his nap he cried and Brad asked if he wanted to cuddle, Tanner said no, then Brad asked Tanner if he was just sad that Grandma and Grandpa where gone, and Tanner said yes.   We had a fun filled week and loved being able to spend time with family.