Growing up, we always had to take a family picture on Easter. Always. It was usually a disaster. Someone usually ended up storming inside the house in tears. Today, we joke about it.
Luckily, my little family isn’t to that stage yet. I can remain hopeful that it won’t happen…cough.
It’s Sunday evening. Sam is asleep and Ellie should be asleep. It’s dark outside and it’s almost Christmas. We realized that we had not taken the girls out to see Christmas lights. Janie had the brilliant idea to go to the zoo.
Right now the Birmingham Zoo has “Zoolight Safari“. I’ve never seen so many Christmas lights and decorations in one place. Yes, there even was an entire 12′ by 12′ winter wonderland. They had two snow-making machines near the entrance and since it was 38º, it stuck. Most of the animals were not available, but the petting zoo was still open and it’s always a hit with Sam. We got in free since we’re members so we just had to buy tickets to ride the train and carousel. Both were quite decked out as well. There was lots of music going and some of the lights were synchronized to the music. Janie and I had Shazam going for several of the songs.
You should have seen Samantha. She RAN everywhere and wanted to do everything. Well, almost everything. She wasn’t too keen on seeing Santa Clause (who by the way was sitting on a rather spiffy Zebra fabric chair).
Here Janie and “Baby” are posing as elves.
Ellie was a good sport all night (and never took that nap). I guess she had plenty to look at.
Some of the decorations. I was planning on making a panorama with Hugin, but my hands were too shaky.
Jingle Bell Carousel. Check out the video. Sam finally spotted me about the fourth time around and from then on yelled “Daddy! Daddy!”
The Train Ride. This is a big deal since Sam has been very weary of riding the train lately.
We plan on going back next week. Anyone else want to come?
We haven’t been doing a lot around here lately. We’re doing our best to get sick and stay sick. 🙁 Ellie is even fighting her first cold! She has a nasty sounding cough, so I hope it’s not croup. The rest of us (including Sam) don’t sound croupy, so I hope it’s just normal drainage. But, we are definitely a goop factory around here. Everyone is ooey goey.
Some good news though: we got a contract on our house last week! It’s contingent on the sale of the buyer’s house (and she has a contract contingent on the sale of her buyer’s house). So, I’m not holding my breath for a closing date, but we’re moving in the right direction. We lost the contract on the house that we wanted to buy. However, to make a long story short, it’s now back on the market again. It’s still my favorite house, but we are currently looking into others to see what else is on the market. Brian found one that he likes better. My gut says No on that one.
We are becoming a coffee drinking household. Brian started drinking coffee a while back in order to cut out sugary sodas. He still drinks a soda about half the time. After my maternity leave, I started drinking caffeine because Ellie was not sleeping through the night yet. I really try not to drink it because it’s so horrible for you. At any rate, I got started on Diet Dr. Pepper, but now drink coffee at home on the weekends. Ellie is still not sleeping through the night, but I’d sure love to cut my caffeine habit. I had a headache by 8:55AM one morning because I hadn’t had my drink yet. Too much dependence for me!!!
I finally got a ticket out to Denver! I’ve been watching ticket prices for a year now. Whenever I find a good deal (which isn’t often) I can’t go for one reason or another (like Labor & Delivery!). However, a deal came up this past week and I decided enough was enough and I booked a flight for February. I’m excited. And nervous because Ellie will have to come with me. Merry Christmas to me! See you soon Lizzie and Guillaume!
Happy Halloween!
Last weekend, we traveled to the Huntsville Burnses. (Happy 1st Birthday Penny!)
It was almost cold and pretty windy, so we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves outside. Here’s a family picture. (And don’t mind my hair, as I said, it was windy.)
Silly girl with windblown hair.
Look out, Little Man! Don’t you know that you’re supposed to keep your eyes on the road?
Whoa! Here comes Optimus Prime, ready for Trick or Treating!
We decided to get the kite out since it was so windy. The three little ones helped me put it together.
What are those two scheming about?
Let’s go fly a kite!
