Spring Break

Jason has been working round the clock since last February. Navie had a week off of school so Jason took a week off and we packed up the Altima and headed to Texas. We saw so many cousins and I finally did some sight-seeing in Jason's hometown. We stayed with Jacqui and Rob and saw their new house. Woot! Navie was thrilled to be reunited with Ella-Bella. On Monday we went to the Japanese Gardens. The kids ran from one thing to the next. Luckily we had the place pretty much to ourselves. The kids had a blast feeding the coy fish.

We also had a great time walking on the stones in the water. (But I didn't take any pictures). Then we had lunch at the park.

Leaving Florida for Spring Break means a drop in temperature and trees without leaves. That was quite the reality check for me. So we bundled up in long pants and hoodies.

And our last stop Monday was at the Water Gardens. It was a jam-packed day and it was so fun!

Check out that action shot!

On Tuesday, Kari joined us and we went to see the Longhorns in Fort Worth. While there we fed some ponies, tried on hats, and saw the rodeo center.

We had a delightful lunch at Torchy's Tacos. There was a foul smell outside though because they were cleaning the oil trap or something. Then we set off to see how they print money.

We spent the evening with Jason's sister's family eating pizza, catching up, and watching the beloved Frozen. Navie had a blast playing with Lennon. Wednesday was our date day. Navie stayed with the cousins and Jason and I went out to explore Dallas. We started off the day just right, a trip to the American Girl Store. It was a little weird to be there without Navie but we all know I love it more than her. Then we did a little shopping. We had lunch at Pei Wei and stopped over to the Dallas temple to walk around. It was like 50 degrees so it was a quick walk. Then we went to the art museum and JFK Museum. I learned a lot about his death and it was pretty trippy to be in the same place where it happened. Then we went up to the top of Reunion Tower. Jason has driven by it so many times, he really wanted to go to the top. We saw a lot of the city (duh) and learned about many of the buildings.

Our last day was spend with more family. We headed out to Nemo to see Jason's abuela for lunch. Luckily the sun came out while we were there and we walked the property a little.

After lunch we drove back to Arlington to see Jeremiah and his family. We met Sophia and Navie had a blast camping and dressing up with the girls. I had my first taste of Chicken Express too. Then it was back to say goodbye to kids before bed. We had a wonderful time. And we look forward to many more happy memories with our Texas family.

Some More Celebrations

Our Sea World and Busch Garden's passes expired after Dec 31 so we had to say goodbye with one last trip to each.

To ring in the New Year, we drove the 5 minutes to Legoland to catch a few thrills on the roller coasters and then celebrate the New Year with Lego fireworks and the great Brick Drop at 7:00pm. Woot! We were home in bed at just about 8:30 pm.

What better way to spend the first day of the New Year than with manatees at the power plant in Tampa? We sure couldn't think of anything better so off we went. It was frigid. But it was like a dream come true. As a 2nd grade teacher, we read a book about endangered species and the manatee was one included. It said that some manatees lived in the warm water near power plants. Boom, I saw it with my own eyes. I wanted to email all my old students and let them know, the book was right and I saw them. That clearly wasn't realistic so I guess I'll just blog about it.

I love Florida, I really do. I cannot believe our time here is coming to a close. I hope to keep us jam packed with new adventures till that time comes but if you want to visit with us while we're here, come soon!

35 Years for Daddy

We had this great idea that we would spend a night like pioneers at our house without using any electricity and technology and camp in the living room. Poor Daddy really misses camping, so on his birthday Navie said we should camp tonight for Daddy's birthday for his present. We set up a tent in the living room and even moved the Christmas trees to help it feel more like the forest.

We brought our mattress in to the tent and Jason even found a YouTube video of a fire for a "true" camping experience. Then it was off to Texas Roadhouse for the birthday dinner. Since Navie's birthday is also in December, she joined him on the saddle.

Daddy chose chocolate pie and he made his birthday wish.

And being the true party animal, the birthday boy was the first to fall asleep. And he was totally asleep. He didn't remember anything about us taking pictures of our headlamps and he didn't believe we had taken pictures of him sleeping until we showed him.

It was probably the best birthday yet.

The Christmas that Keeps on Giving

Every year I think it is a great idea to bake sugar cookies and decorate them for Santa. And every year I think why am I doing this? It's so much work and I feel like they always taste terrible. But by the time we were putting sprinkles on, it seemed like the loss of patience I felt earlier had been forgotten by all. We'll probably bake chocolate chip cookies next year.

We also started the tradition of giving pajamas on Christmas Eve. Only Navie participates in this. Jason and I do not get pajamas, someday this may change.

Navie got a new bike from Santa.

Daddy got new tools for Christmas and so Navie wanted new tools as well.

The bike riding has been going very well. I think we are going to take the training wheels off for the first time today!

Navie has been able to buy several more gifts including the above pink earmuffs for herself with all of the birthday and Christmas money she received. She also received package after package from her "other family." She got lots of nice things including an American Girl Doll. But that is indirectly a present for me because I still LOVE them! Merry Christmas to me.

A Little Catch Up

December is just like an explosion of party and event after party and celebration. As school was coming to end for Christmas, the choir and Kindergarten sang some songs. Navie dressed up in her Christmas cheer and Grandpa and Grandma Rees came for a visit to see her. It was darling. Granted all the parents were talking and standing up making it impossible to hear and enjoy the best song but hey it's elementary school.

Earlier that day we went for a little walk hoping to see some gators and boy did we ever. We saw like 20 or so alligators. It was wild. Some were huge. It was a delightful day.

After the school festivities were over, we took Grandpa and Grandma to Sea World Christmas. It was awesome!! We saw an ice skating show, a new Sea Lion Christmas show, and so many more! Navie got her face painted too. (She has birthday and Christmas money out the wazoo and doesn't need ANY more toys).

We were rushing from show to show and we didn't get to enjoy the Christmas ambiance but the shows were great and we did see some beautifully lit trees. It was a short visit with Grandma and Grandpa but so fun.