Shamu, baby!

A few weekends ago, we headed to Sea World-San Antonio with Julie, Caleb, Carter, Gigi and Mimi. We had such a great time! We will most definitely make the trip again! It was a great day!

This is Claire and Mimi at the Sea World entrance. They can't wait to go inside!

The crew ready to hit up Sea World!

Harper walked every curb in Sea World. She loved them!

Harper and I really enjoyed feeding the ducks. She giggled any time the duck opened his beak for some food.

Shamu flips! The girls LOVED it!

The Beluga whale and the instructor hugging... I really wish I was in that water hugging the whale.

All the ladies holding hands

I love this one of the girls chatting about the penguins.

I love this sweet picture of Daren and Harper having a special moment. Neither of them knew I was capturing the moment, and I love that even more.

Claire and the nutcracker - We couldn't get Harper near him!

Camille, Caleb, Julie, Daren and Harper getting pictures with the Sesame Street gang! Caleb was ecstatic for Elmo, and Harper was so excited to see Abby!

Our Princess Harper (I can't believe she sat still for the face paint, but she did)

Butterfly Princess Claire

We spent a lot of time in the Sesame Street Bay of Play. The kids loved the rides, the playground, and the Sesame Street show.

Claire and her favorite Sesame Street character, Abby Cadabby

Harper danced throughout the entire Sesame Street show! Here she is shaking her groove thing!

Harper was beside herself with excitement to see Zoey! Mimi had to use all her strength to keep Harper from jumping out of her arms into Zoey's. It was so funny!

Claire was so brave and rode the rides. She rode this boat thingy with Mommy. Daddy and Mimi passed because it spun in circles and they were afraid of the aftermath! They were smart because I was dizzy for a long time afterwards.

Here is the Shamu roller coaster! Claire rode this with Mommy, Daddy and Mimi!

It's mail call, y'all!

Every now and then, Mimi and Papa mail a treat to the kids. Both girls love going to the mail box and seeing what goodies there might be for them. This time, I tried to capture their excitement. Pretty cute!

Claire getting her mail...

Harper getting her mail...

Sweet sisters posing in their new pjs and slippers from Mimi and Papa...

Another trip to Lost Pines

We made our second trip to Lost Pines with the Halberdiers. This time, the Rehwalds joined as well. We had such a blast together! Unfortunately, I took no photos. My sweet husband took two, so I have proof that we went. Our families had a great time spending time together. The kids all play well together and have grown to love each other. Claire and Gavin continued their sweet love affair (ha!). Lyla and Claire are also big buddies, but Lyla is also super sweet and cute with little Miss Harper. Easton Rehwald fit right in and was super cute!

Claire and Harper riding the tricycle

Sadly, this picture is before Easton Rehwald arrived. It is really cute of the Nix/Halberdier kids. Next time, we will do a better job with photos. I can't believe I took no photos...monumental for me. Ha! Daren, the kids and I hope that the Lost Pines tradition continues. It is always a great time for everyone.

A Primrose Thanksgiving

A Primrose Thanksgiving was a wonderful day. They had a catered lunch for the parents and their children, and we all shared a Thanksgiving feast together. Grandma and Pops joined in on the fun with us. Harper's feast was first. She was so excited to see us!

Next, we ventured to Claire's class for her feast. She was excited to see us, but she was REALLY excited to see Grandma and Pops!

Claire's class performed "Thank you, Thank you very much!" It was so cute. Notice in the background on the chalkboard, the teacher asked each kid what he/she is thankful for...Claire's answer "my lamp and my toys." I guess we will work on that...

Enjoy the video of her singing and signing to the Thanksgiving song they learned.

http://youtu.be/oGITMRe9mag

I love this picture of Grandma reading to Claire. Claire LOVES when Grandma or Pops reads her books. They can't be around for long without a quick request for a book. She takes after her Mommy. :-)

A Gullett Thanksgiving

Wednesday, we went to Gullett for the boys' Thanksgiving lunch. It was so much fun! It was crazy to see them in elementary school acting like such big boys. Their school is so neat. It is packed full of animals that the kids care for, all the lunch items are used as compost in the gardens in the back, and you can tell that all the kids feel loved, safe and excited about learning. There is a great community there and it was so special to be a part of the boys' Thanksgiving celebration. We got to meet the infamous Ms. Cupcake, sweet Ms. Shadler and more... It was big fun!

Christi and her boys

Charlie and Pops

The boys and I being silly with the pumpkin pie

3 of my favorite boys in the world...

Even though Pops has his eyes closed, I still love the picture.

A visit from the tooth fairy

Charlie just lost his first tooth!

He has three more that are loose but this one was hanging there ready to be yanked. I tried to do it. As soon as it crunched, I couldn't take it. Christi deferred to Grandma to take action since she has pulled 3 mouthfuls of teeth. YAY for Grandma and YAY for Charlie! The tooth fairy brought $5. Man, teeth have gone up since I lost them.

My attempt at pulling Charlie's tooth.  Operation FAIL!

Grandma pulling the tooth

Charlie and his tooth all ready to put under his pillow for the tooth fairy

All Things Halloween!

Halloween festivities began with ACC Halloween. This is the girls before the big night.

Daddy with his girls taking them to the ACC Festival

Grandma with Claire bear

Claire the Rainbow Cat/Blueberry Muffin girl

We scarred Harper for life because we took the girls on the ACC Haunted Hayride. They promised us that it wasn't scary. Well, it was. Harper hated it. She was scared to death. It was terrible. I have never felt worse. She was so upset and Claire was dead silent. She asks us all the time "Monsters are not real? Monsters not gonna get you?" Seriously scarred...

This is Harper, Daddy and Pops post haunted hay ride

Daddy carves pumpkins with the girls each year. Mommy sneaks out to try to take pictures, but it is their special thing that Daren likes to do with them without Mommy. They love it!

Primrose Halloween
Harper's class on Halloween

Grandma at Harper's school Halloween party

Claire's class on Halloween

Claire was invited by one of her best Primrose friends, Taschi, to Bring a Friend to dance class. They came in costume and at the end of the class, they performed a dance they learned to "Thriller." It was priceless. Claire broke out in cartwheels at one point. Taschi and Claire held hands the whole time. It was really sweet.

Halloween night!

Chris the Power Ranger

Claire as Blueberry Muffin

Harper and Daddy cruising the streets

Holding hands with Grandma

Claire and Grandma during the trick or treating fun

Strawberry Shortcake and Mommy

I love this picture of the kids at one of the first houses. They were so excited! They didn't do a very good job of waiting for sweet Harper so they raced ahead in good fun with Christi while Mommy, Grandma and Pops let Harper enjoy it and take her time.

This is Harper trick or treating, trying so hard to keep up with the big kids. Most of the time, she was fine taking her time and doing it herself. Every now and then, she'd speed up and shout "Issy, don't leave me! Wait for Harper!"

Pops and Charlie the Zombie still handing out candy