Wii Wish You a Merry Christmas!

It's Christmas! The morning started early for me when Landon cried at 12:00am, 1:00am, 2:00am, and 4:00am. Luckily he went right back to sleep when I gave him his pacifier, but it was still a little exhausting. He is teething really bad right now and was pretty fussy today. I told the kids they were not allowed to get out of bed until 6:15am. We actually woke up Savannah & Connor around 6:30 or so. I am a mean mom and make them get dressed and eat a quick breakfast before opening presents. It just makes the anticipation even better, and they're happy and fed so we can play after.In his stocking Connor got a king cobra snake that wraps around his wrist. He LOVES it.

Zach helping Dallin open something...

Zach got another Webkinz from Grandma. She knows him well. This one is a lemur that he named Marty.

Savannah helped keep Landon happy with one of his new books.

Connor got a Spiderman scooter so that he doesn't have to use the pink princess one anymore. I was really happy because I found some really decent stuff at yard sales to use for Christmas this year. My kids don't care that it's used and I love not spending tons when I can get something pretty nice for so cheap.

The face says it all...

Connor got 2 stuffed snakes and a baby chick puppet that he carried around ALL day.

The last present from us was finally opened. A Wii!!! The kids were ecstatic. We're getting rid of Dish Network and streaming Netflix through the Wii now. After this present they found their stuff from Santa. Jacob & Zach got Wii games...Lego Star Wars and Just Dance 2. Savannah got an ice skating outfit for her stuffed cat and Connor got a Buzz Lightyear rocket tent and a baby chick puppet.

I found a noodle necklace in my stocking that Savannah put there last week.
Connor has been picking the stuffing out of his hand-me-down quilt, so it was time for a new one. He now has a Spiderman bed (for $1...no kidding).

Savannah just wanted stuffed animals...and that's what she got.

I love to watch Zach play the Wii. He really gets into it.

The best present ever.

And Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without new legos all over the kitchen table. This pirate ship set with a bunch of extra horses, knights, and odds and ends was another yard sale score...$2. Jacob actually was with me and found it, so he has been looking forward to playing with it for months.

We had a nice turkey dinner just with our family this evening. It was a great day and we're so thankful for all of our blessings.

It was so warm at the beginning of the week, but has gotten very cold (for Texas) the last couple of days. Tonight it is getting down to 25 degrees. Dallin went out to turn the sprinkler on the bushes and tree so there will be icicles in the morning for the kids.

Christmas Eve 2010

Yesterday we had our friends, the Corbetts, over for Christmas Eve. They moved here to Round Rock from Arizona the same week that we did, four years ago. Now next week they are moving back to Arizona. We'll miss you guys! We did the nativity. Jacob was a shepherd, Savannah was Mary, Zach & Connor were wise men, and Landon was Baby Jesus. A big baby Jesus.But also the cutest Baby Jesus ever.Mary was really good at stuffing the pacifier in his mouth when he got a little noisy during the reading and songs.

Afterward we decorated cookies for Santa and had dinner. It was a fun time. At least we got to Arizona every year so we know that we'll see them again.

Sea World!

Yesterday we went to Sea World in San Antonio for Zach's birthday. Our kids have never been to any kind of amusement park and they were so excited. The park didn't open until noon, so we didn't have to leave very early. It only took about 1 hour 45 minutes to get there. Zach got a gift card to McDonald's from his primary teacher and he took us all out to lunch. It was overcast, but really nice weather when we got there. After a couple of hours the sun came up and it got up to about 80 degrees I think. It was a great day! Our first stop was the little Shamu roller coaster. All of the kids really enjoyed it except Connor. But then he voluntarily went on it again later, so it must not have been too bad.

I love Zach's face.

This show was called "Azul." It had lots of synchronized swimming, diving, and acrobatics, along with dolphins, beluga whales, and parrots.

Landon actually watched the shows quietly. He loves watching everything going on around him.

We had fun with the dolphins. We touched them a little, but they usually went back down pretty quick...since we didn't buy the fish to feed them.

Zach was looking forward to this part...the aquariums. We saw all kinds of fish, sting rays and sharks. There was a diver feeding the fish right before we got there and she posed for a picture.

A family picture with Shamu and a couple of penguins. Savannah is terrified of anything dressed up (remember Santa?). The only way she would be in the picture was desperately clinging to me.

Zach and Jacob both went on this roller coaster with me. Zach did NOT love it, and was not happy to even pose for a picture of it afterwards.

We saw Sesame Street live. Connor loved that one.

They also had a Christmas sea lion show.

The penguins...

This little guy did really well considering the age he's at. He endured laying in that stroller for most of the day.

They had a snake exhibit!!! Yes, Connor was in heaven. This is his favorite, the yellow python. He stood next to it for a few minutes and told anyone who came near all about snakes.

Dallin went on the splash ride with the boys later in the evening and they didn't even get that wet.

The last thing we did was watch the Shamu show. I'm glad we saved it for last because it was a perfect ending to the day. Here is one of the "Shamus" with her baby.

We had a great time. The kids all fell asleep within 15 minutes of getting in the car, so it was a nice ride home. We were all exhausted. Landon even took a 4 1/2 hour nap today. Now we're excited for Christmas!

5 months old and other cute pictures

Nobody can resist kissing those cheeks and cute bald head.Landon is so excited that he can actually use his hands now...sometimes. They don't always go where he wants them to, but if he can't get to whatever it is he wants he is content to just stick them in his mouth.

Savannah made this ornament at school and I thought I'd post it for all you crafty people. It's her handprint around the bottom with the fingers turned into snowmen. A definite keepsake.

On Saturday Zach got to do a program at the library where you read to a dog. It's supposed to build your confidence in reading out loud. Zach loved it and made sure the dog looked at each picture. It was cute to watch him.