Mini Vacation

I decided our family needed a mini vacation this week. We took Lulu to Petsmart (JD says that's where sad, lonely dogs get dropped off while their people go on vacation) and away we went.
I was a little surprised when JD came to the door with his hands full of dinosaurs and announced, "I'm ready to go." I guess plastic dinos need a vacation too.

Our first stop was the Witte museum to see the giant bug exhibit. JD wasn't too sure about this huge tarantula. We had to do the exhibit a second time before he was convinced it was safe.

You can't visit San Antonio without a stop at the Alamo. What interested JD more was the wax museum across the street.

He posed with his favorite star.

Normally, you eat Mexican food on the riverwalk. That is --- unless you have a 5 year old boy who sees the sign for the rainforest cafe first. We got to sit right by the gorilla who shook the tree and made threatening sounds every 15 minutes or so.

JD and his pet T-rex enjoyed the view from our room. Mostly it was a view of the neighboring building's room. JD still thought it was fun to look out over the whole city.

After all that fun there was nothing left to do but hug your new toys and fall asleep going home.

Christmas

JD left cookies and milk out for Santa. When I tried to get a picture with them it was too funny. He has become quite a posser.
Here's his "I'm too cool" look.

Followed by a couple of silly faces.

Notice JD and I have matching PJs. HOORAY

Christmas morning Lulu helped supervise the opening of the presents.

What can it be?

Beyblades were the toy of choice this year.

George was very surprised by his South Austin t-shirt.

Finally, it was off to Grandpa's house to play with another cousin.

Christmas Eve with Grandma

Christmas Eve with Grandma always begins with the making of the menudo.
George and Grandma prepare the tripe (cow stomach - yum) before adding the best part . . .

. . . pig feet. YUM YUM

George carefully stirs this culinary delight which has to be cooked outside because of it's lovely aroma. Even though I don't eat any, it is a fun process to watch. I'm happy for JD to be part of the tradition.

JD puts on a Santa hat to help Grandma and Aunt Sandra distribute the presents.

JD played with cousin Alexis. Alexis is super cute and like all of JD's girl cousins, REALLY into the whole Princess thing.

Nativity Animals

When I asked JD what he wanted to do for fun today he said, "go to the dinosaur museum." GEEEE, really???? What a surprise! (read with sarcastic tone).
When we got to the museum we found this unexpected surprise. The animals from the Rockette's Christmas show were camped out across the street. George and I went to the show last night. It is pretty cool - they bring live animals on stage for the final scene with the baby Jesus.

The camels were very friendly. They let us pet their noses and showed us their camel teeth. The caretaker told us to go on in and pet them. He and the camel had matching teeth.

JD worked on wrapping a few last gifts and we are now ready for Christmas.

Boys of Summer

JD and his friend Lincoln played a little baseball today. I had to laugh when Lincoln told JD to "aim for the bat." Neither of them is ready for the big leagues.

JD and Santa

We actually visited Santa quite awhile ago but I just now got around to scanning the picture to put online. JD was much less scared of Santa this year. ALSO, dad told him if he didn't talk to Santa he wouldn't get any presents.

Day Full of Fun

We went to the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar to see the Biscuit Brothers. This was JD's favorite vendor. He created these really interesting monsters. Everything at the Bazaar is pricey but we enjoyed looking.

Next, it was off to Gatti Town. JD loved this motion ride and. . .

. . . these bumper cars. He was been waiting and waiting to be tall enough to ride. Today he was. Man were they fun!!!!!

Day Two . . .

and the fun continues.
JD played with my camera this morning and took this picture of himself.

AHHHHH - I love Texas in December. It is finally cool enough to go to the playground without having heat stroke.

On the First Day of Christmas Break . . .

JD and I finished our Christmas shopping.
These trees at Nordstrom are the prettiest in the mall. Don't get too excited if you are on our Christmas list your gift didn't come from Nordstrom. I like to park at that end of the mall to go in and look at shoes as I go by. When George drives we park at the Sears end and look at tools. George wasn't with us today so Nordstrom it was.

JD sang with the Primary children at the Ward Christmas party. It was a good beginning to our break.

JD's New Pet

A friend has asked us to fish sit over the Christmas break. JD was too happy to take on the task. He woke up at 5:45 this morning and hopped out of bed to feed the fish. He forgot to feed the dog last night --- but that fish got it's food. JD says he loves the fish and wonders if we can put a lid on it and take it on vacation with us.

JD Loves Science

In his after school Voyager class JD has been learning about animals. Last week they talked about anacondas and then each child made several segments that were taped together so they could see how long the snake was. YIKES - I hope I never see one of these guys.

Today was science day at the Texas History Museum. JD and dad made a space ship. The goal was to have a ship that the astronaut (aka cotton ball) didn't fall out of.

Astronaut food didn't look very yummy.

As we were leaving JD wanted his picture taken by the "lonely" star. I know we have lots of pictures like this, but how can you turn down a picture request like that?

My Hero

I waited in this line this evening to listen to my favorite Supreme Court Justice speak. I know I'm a geek and that "normal" people don't have favorite Supreme Court Justices.

There she is -- Sandra Day O'Connor. She was fabulous!! She was an excellent speaker with a good sense of humor. She also seemed remarkably humble for all the things she has accomplished. She said the only reason she believe Reagan appointed her to the court was because she grew up on a ranch and knew how to ride a horse and Reagan liked horses. That and there weren't many Republican women to pick from.

Any Random Sunday

The Young Women are going to make Christmas ornaments on Wednesday night. JD was kind enough to make the samples for me. Of course, Lulu had to be in on the action too.

The ice cream man here on the poor side of town doesn't even have a truck. He rides a bicycle and pulls his treats behind him. When JD hears the bell he runs for an ice cream. I feel sorry for the man trying to make a living this way and alway buy something.

Black Friday

We didn't do much shopping on black Friday.
Instead, we made a trip to the dinosaur museum. When Nina comes that's one place she and JD have to go. I think the two of them are kindred spirits - united by the bones of dinosaurs.

A trip to the drag to buy UT paraphernalia was fun. Never mind that they can't play football worth a darn right now. They'll turn it around one of these days.

YUM - Mexican food! All that activity meant we worked up an appetite.

We did make a short evening trip to the mall to ride the train.

What do you call Saturday after black Friday? JD called it having an ICEE at Cabela's.

The Ridings Are Here!

The Ridings came to eat turkey with us. JD could hardly wait to take Aunt Nina to the dinosaur pit.
Ahhhh, what a cute family photo.

Keith and JD take the pretend dinosaur dig VERY seriously.

Uncle Keith was a very good sport about playing "battle" with JD.

It wore him out though and after awhile we found Keith asleep on his Hulk hands.