Beautiful Morning at the Zoo

The weather this week has been phenomenal.  I have been wanting to get back to the zoo for several weeks now, but due to sick kids, busy schedules, or uncooperative weather it has not been an option until now.  Grandma joined Kat and I today.  It was a quiet day there as most were at work or school - a very nice visit in just about perfect weather. 

The flamingos were especially social today & came right up to us.

 I like that you can see her reflection in this one.  She really took it all in this visit.

 Watching the kangaroo eat a morning snack.

 She was excited to ride the "seat" on the carousel.

 Catching the zoo train back to the entrance on our way out.

Fun First Weekend of February

We had a fun first weekend of February.  Friday was Joel's 37th birthday.  His good friend took him to one of his favorite places for lunch, Cavali's Pizza.  I made him one of his favorite meals for dinner & a pecan pie for dessert. 

Jonathan was line leader in his class all week which meant he could bring home the class fish for the weekend.  Rainbow has been well treated and even shared meals with us and watched some TV from the coffee table.

Emily had her second basketball game Saturday morning.  Then that evening was the annual daddy daughter dance at the local rec center.  She and Joel went with Em's friend, Hailey, and her dad.  They had dinner first at Red Robin & then went to the dance.  Emily made sure Daddy stayed out on the dance floor all night.  He even worked up a sweat.  This is a testament to his love for his little girl as Joel is not the public dancing type.    

And today is the Super Bowl.  We are having a lazy Sunday at home and will have a relaxed evening watching the game together, most likely in our pjs. 

Good weekend indeed!  

Jonathan's Castle

Jonathan got a new castle toy for Christmas (thanks Grandma & Grandpa!).  He loves it and plays with it all the time.  Jon has an incredible imagination and many a battle have already been fought at his castle.  Yesterday he spent hours playing with it.  He also likes to incorporate other toys he has into the play.  He started out with the knights hanging out it the castle watching their big TV (his Nook - thanks Nana!) which they could move around to any room in the castle. 

Later that afternoon the castle was inhabited by various peaceful zoo animals while outside the walls all the aggressive, carnivorous animals were making their attack.  Joel joined in on the epic animal battle & many an intense sound was heard coming from Jon's room. 

Playtime with Kat

Knowing that Katherine is our last kiddo has me savoring the sweet times I get with her at this age all the more.  She's right at that 3 year old super cute, super curious, and super cuddly phase.  I love it.  So we are having lots of fun when we get to play one-on-one the days her older siblings are at school & we aren't running errands, etc.  I've been snapping photos on my phone when I see a moment I want to remember.  Here are some recent ones. 

Her sweet chubby hands playing blocks - one of her favorite things to do.  She never tires of building with them.

Tea party time.  I let her use real water here.  Her beloved Joy Bear is also enjoying tea with us off to the left.

Playing "blast off" in a big box.  She and Joy Bear took a trip to space. Notice the blocks she loves to play with in the background :-)

 And each week day before nap time she gets to watch her favorite show, Daniel Tiger, on PBS.  She loves, loves it & sings along to all the songs.  I love this photo of her sweet smile cuddling her stuffed friend.  So precious.  What a gift she is.

Christmas 2012

We had a great Christmas season this year.  One of the best, actually.  And....it snowed...quite a lot for Texas...on Christmas day!!!  Kerry and Jeff also got to come celebrate with us this year - something that was a gift in itself.  Here are some of our favorite Christmas moments captured on film. 

The infamous Harrison Christmas Eve Eve.

The kids all comfy & ready to watch the move.  

 This year's movie was Elf.  

It was the first year Kat slept in the living room all night too.

 Nana invited us to her church's Christmas Eve children's service.

 No more waiting...Christmas morning!  They were excited!

 My whole family together on Christmas again...priceless!

The snow started falling after lunch...

 And kept coming.  By late afternoon we had several inches to play in.

Emily & Jonathan played outside with Joel until the sun went down.

Kat played as long as she could before I took her in for a warm bath and got dinner ready.

Jon was a very happy boy.  He really, really wanted snow for Christmas & had been talking about it for several months.

 This was the first snow that Katherine got to really enjoy.  The last time we got a good snow she wasn't even walking.  She threw snowballs & everything.  Fun memories!

Breakfast With Santa

Emily & Jonathan's school had a Breakfast with Santa a few Saturday's ago.  It was very well organized & a really good time.  First we all got to have pancakes & juice.  Then the kids got there picture with Santa followed by a free book they selected in the library. 

 

Music With Mom

I recently took a class at the local rec center with Miss Kat.  It was Music & Movement with Mom.  It involved lots of singing, dancing & some instrument usage.  There was also the occasional use of the amazing parachute (my favorite).  Some may remember that I took this same class with Jonathan back right before Katherine entered the world.  Now 3 years later here I am again with another little one...hard to believe.  This time cousin Benjamin & Aunt Candice joined us as well.  Grandma Byrd also got to come for the last several classes.  It was a fun, sweet time with my Kat that I will enjoy looking back on as she grows.  Below are a few pictures from the class.  I did not have the camera the day the awesome parachute came out.  Sure wish I had because the smiles on the  kids faces as that parachute went up & down above their heads was priceless!