Great Wolf Lodge and Happy Birthday, Aaron

Aaron celebrated his 32nd birthday with a bang...we hosted a games and fun birthday party on Friday, Saturday he had UFC, and then Sunday we headed to Grapevine, near Dallas, to try out Great Wolf Lodge. We had heard amazing things about this place, and it lived up to all the hype. We all had a wonderful time. Highlights were the snow in the lobby during story time, the life size gingerbread house, and the magic quest game throughout the lodge. Lots of fun. Then, we squeezed in a visit to the Lego Discovery Center nearby. Happy Birthday, Aaron. Hope you had a good one and have a year full of more fun adventures ahead. I love you!

Santa

We headed to our favorite location for Santa pictures again last weekend- Dell Diamond. Our Baseball Santa is always able to chat with the kiddos (sometimes for too long...he starts making expensive suggestions for what they should ask for Christmas!! yikes!) and there are always yummy treats and the option to buy our Spike Kid's Packs for the next baseball season. Thanks, Round Rock Express! Go Express and Go Rangers! ;-)

Team Green

Aaron's friend, Patrick, organized a team for a local church softball league this fall. The guys had a great time, and the wives and kiddos had fun too cheering them on.

it's beginning to look a lot like

Christmas :-)

Chuy's Toy Parade

We made our annual trek to Austin for the Chuy's toy parade this past Saturday, in spite of the rain. I was determined to go, and was thankful when the rain stopped right as the parade was beginning. Our friends, the Blantons, joined us, and we all ate at Hula Hut after the parade (another tradition). The kiddos enjoyed seeing the big balloons (smurf, coke bear, reindeer), the marching bands, Tow Mater replica, and costumed characters (stormtroopers, Darth Vader, super heroes). Lots of fun!

1st ponytail

...but it didn't last long...her hair is getting longer. :-)

Thanksgiving Gingerbread

We enjoyed celebrating Thanksgiving with Uncle Gary, Aunt Glenda, and Cousin Hayley, and our new neighbors even came for dessert and scrabble. Glenda and Hayley brought all of the supplies to help the boys make a fabulous gingerbread house AND train, complete with gummy army men! The boys had a blast.

Happy Halloween!

We all had a blast at the annual Ferguson Halloweenie. Landon was hard to keep up with this year as he ran from house to house to get as much candy as he could...next year I'm wearing my running shoes. :-) Leia got the hang of it all quickly and ate each piece of candy that was handed to her!

Patty

Patty, Addison, and Ashton made the trip from Norco twice to see us in Anaheim (thank you!!!). Patty has been my friend since junior high. She stalked me when we moved from Northern California to very, very Southern California (about thirty minutes from the border). I was the new girl, and Patty was determined to be my friend. She was very persistent (and I'm so glad!). We played junior high and high school sports together, and when I moved back to Nor Cal two years later, remained good buds, traveled long distances several times to see each other, and ended up being in each other's weddings and being pregnant together. Such sweet memories. I love you, Patty! You are my favorite thing from my years in Brawley. ;-)

Landon at Jedi Academy

Landon was chosen to be a volunteer and battle Darth Vader at the Tomorrowland Terrace Jedi Academy show. It was so neat- stormtroopers, Jedi Masters, Darth Vader rising up on a hidden stage, and Darth Maul!

DISNEYLAND!

We had a blast at Disneyland last weekend. We were able to travel with the Huberts (Aaron and Chris hit up Blizzcon on Friday and Saturday, and then joined us on Sunday). My parents drove ten hours to meet us there! And my dear friend, Patty, drove down from Norco to meet us there also. The kiddos loved it... so much to see and do. The parades, World of Color show, and fireworks were just spectacular, and we were able to experience many rides at California Adventure and Disneyland. The boys were able to see Buzz, Woody, Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Pluto, and Landon was able to train in the Jedi Academy and actually battle Darth Vader (video to be posted soon)! Aaron took Landon on Splash Mountain, the Haunted House, Indiana Jones, and Space Mountain...we have one brave little guy! Lincoln loved the teacups (ick....my least favorite...makes me sick every time! Grandpa Bob was a trooper and even went twice with Lincoln!) and the Toy Story rides (we rode Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster about eight times). Leia went on a bunch of rides also, and seemed to enjoy Small World and The Little Mermaid ride. A whirlwind, exhausting, three day trip with many late night and early mornings, but FULL of magic memories.

Go Bulls!

Lincoln is doing great at Tball. All the kiddos seem to enjoy being out there...especially now that our weather has cooled off a little. :-)

Goodbye Avalanche

We sold the Av to CarMax tonight. Sniffle. It was bittersweet. I will definitely miss that truck. Lots of good memories.

Murray swagger wagon

Here is Leia in her very own "swagger wagon" video. :-)

Swagger Wagon

It's official. We have a swagger wagon. Cue video:

Aaron spent many hours at the dealership with all of the kiddos while I was blissfully unaware and enjoying a day of reading at Barnes and Noble. So far, the magic doors are my favorite feature.

Lincoln is a Bull

Lincoln started his first season of Tball last week- he is on the Bulls. He did great at practice on Tuesday, and it was fun to see Landon in "big brother" mode- showing Lincoln the ropes and even running alongside him and cheering him on as he ran the bases.

school lunch

Leia and I joined Landon for lunch at school on Friday. Colton's family was also there, as well as Ava G's mom, a friend from church.

Swim Test

Last week we went to the YMCA with the Ostendorf and Ferguson clans for a swim date after school. Both Landon and Kale passed their swim test for the first time and went down the water slide for the first time. It was a great day!

First Day of School

Landon has not been very excited about school. He is a smart cookie and I think he realizes that his days of carefree video gaming are over (until college...well, and maybe summer breaks!). :-)

Today was his first day of kindergarten as a Teravista Tiger. He woke up right on time, and after only telling me once or twice that he wasn't going and he was too tired and seven hours was too long, he got dressed in his new Batman shirt, gathered his things, and I took him to school to eat breakfast. Our little friend, Madison, met us in the cafeteria, and we took her to her classroom first, and then went on to Landon's room. His teacher, Mrs. Goertz, greeted us, and had playdoh out on the tables for the kids to play with. Landon went right over to his table and sat down. My "Mr. Independent" was ready to go....see ya, Mom...thanks for five years of fun....now it's off to the "real" world to learn to read and write and all that other good stuff. ;-)

Lincoln, Leia, and I picked him up after school and he was in good spirits. He said the best part was free time where he got to play with blocks and playdoh. He also liked PE and recess. His teacher said, "it was an okay day for the first day of kindergarten." Hah! She has a challenging job, to say the least, and I'm already trying to show her we appreciate her by bringing her treats. The boys helped me make cookies tonight that we will bring tomorrow, and today we brought some Avon treats and a Sonic drink after school. I'm all about bribery and giving gifts and treats is my preferred way to encourage others and show them I care.

addicted to instagram

it's so fun to play with...and I check the app way too often to see what other people I am following have posted (this is just another confirmation for me that I would waste way too much time and be way too voyeuristic if I had a Facebook page).Here are some recent pics.