fun times in Abilene

This past weekend, the kids and I piled into the car and drove to Abilene to visit my sister, her husband, and my very cute niece. My better half was out of town for a batchelor party weekend with his friends. I wasn't going to stay home while he had all the fun. We had a great visit. A trip to the zoo, a trip to the grocery store and a photo session made for a great weekend. Plus there was loads of time for the cousins to play. So....my sister has a friend who is also a photographer and let us join in on a photo session with my niece. The pictures are fabulous and I wanted to share a few of my favorites.

I had to

I starting taking pictures last night when the sky looked incredible. They turned out so great I had to post some today. Let me know what y'all think. These may be some I have to put in frames.

Christmas!

She's contemplating her mustache.

He's a mad cop with a mustache. Goofy boy! Why is he smiling like that? Check out her shirt. Soooo funny! Mama D and Papa came in just before Christmas from Austin. Spinning with his new light saber. Cool circle of light!

An original Optimus Prime transformer. It's awesome!

A feather boa and heels. Woo hoo!

Cocoa enjoying her new toys.

Kiera with her cousin Harlee.

Trying to get her guns up in her red "Tech" hat. Go Irish!!!

Who doesn't need a musical tea set?

Playing on the couch. This is an everyday activity in our house.

new camera, new pictures

Here are some pictures I took with my new camera. Let me know what you think. They are from the last few weeks in no particular order.

Aren't they cute?

This was taken at Declan's Christmas party at school. Kiera is covered in icing from a cookie and wanted to show her food instead of smiling.

Our small group at church had a Christmas party, and we had a friend take our picture. That never happens. Usually we just take pictures of the kids.

I asked Declan what he was doing. He shoved these in front of the camera.

What did she say??!!!!!???

Every day Kiera says something very funny or very shocking. I guess most 2 year olds do.
I thought I would share some of her memorable moments over the last couple months. Really, I need to write down more of her thoughts and ideas.

1. Early in the morning, just after waking up she states, "it's dark inside my eyes".

2. On our way to the bathroom....."mommy I have pee pee in my body". I tell her, "yep, but not for long."

3. After Halloween, Kiera told anybody who would listen, "I scared a black guy!"
Really? ummm, no. While trick or treating, a boy in a black costume with a mask jumped out and scared her.

4. At 6:00am , "Mommy, can you read me this book?" NO! Especially since it was wrapped up and under the tree. Thanks Kiera!

5. "Mommy, I like to eat the gingerbread house!" Yeah. She decided to help herself after waking up from her nap. Declan and I had just finished, and no it wasn't up for grabs.

6. Mommy- "Kiera, what are you eating?"
Kiera - "A booger."
GROSS!

7. Declan is getting lazy when he goes to the bathroom. We kindly remind him what he is supposed to do. A few days ago, Kiera says "Declan, you need to hold your p%$# when you go potty!" I can't believe my 2 year old girl said that word. aaaaah!

our weekend list

I'm sure you are all asking yourself, what did Laura do this weekend? Here is a list of our exciting weekend adventures.

1. Enjoyed a fattening meal of italian food on friday.

2. Put up Christmas lights on the house ALL day on saturday. (I checked to see if they were working. Kril put them on the house......nope. Apparently I didn't check closely enough)

3. A large section of our back fence blew down. Crummy fence! A post snapped so we can't fix it ourselves. oooooh. Maybe we'll get a new fence for Christmas. Just what I always wanted!

4. I played in a soccer game. We only had 2 girls, so I had to play the whole game. Yay, 40 minutes of sprints! And, we lost.....again.

5. I got on the ladder and fixed the lights on the house today. Yay, done! Did I mention I'm scared of heights?

6. Went to a Christmas party for our small group at church. I LOVE babysitters.

7. A string of lights in the middle of our 7 1/2 ft. prelit tree went out. I spent an hour replacing every bulb in the middle of the tree before they came back on. Praise the Lord!

8. Finally at 10:45pm I get to sit and relax. Whew.

Also, here are a few pictures from the aquarium. Some family came to visit from CO. The kids have so much fun with their cousins.

Check out Kiera's hairband braid. That's from her first haircut. I need to learn how to do that.
D with his cousin and best friend
The cousins playing over Thanksgiving holiday. PJ's and a Christmas movie. What fun!
Coloring before fried turkey!
Cousins at The Grace museum in Abilene. One cowgirl and one future cowgirl.

Any of you remember the santa picture I posted last year?

Well, if you do, then you'll enjoy our newest picture with Santa. Its now in a frame and we love it!