The long overdue post

Wow, I really don't have much of an excuse why it has taken forever to update the blog. Life is just crazy busy these days and down times are few and far between. Let's catch up.

CHRISTMAS 2010
Christmas was very special this year. The kids had a school program that was precious to kick off the season. Haley's class sang three songs and just melted our hearts.
Here she is singing her "Lights on the tree" song to the tune of "The Wheels on the Bus". Here they are showing how "Daddy goes Snore Snore Snore all Christmas Day".

Then Santa came to visit their school. As you can see Jackson was not too crazy about Santa this year.



Grandma & Grandpa Vara along with Uncle Michael came to stay with us for a week at Christmas. The kids had so much fun and Matt and I enjoyed the extra help. I really appreciated the help because I came down with the flu right before Christmas! What a horrible time to be laid up in bed but I started to feel better Christmas Eve, whew.
Haley was having lots of fun playing with Uncle Michael

And Jackson got lots of kisses from Grandpa (& Grandma)

Both kids were giving Uncle Michael morning greetings

Jackson getting into trouble with the tree

Uncle Mark bought the kids a trampoline for Christmas. He came over Christmas Eve to set it up which turned out to be the best weather day for a week!

Jackson tried on Uncle Mark's Christmas present. All ready to go, coach

Mommy and Haley getting cookies ready for Santa. We had 4 but Haley ate 3 of them before bed. Poor Santa probably left our house hungry.

Haley and the cookies for Santa. She was super excited and didn't want to go to bed. She wanted to wait up for Santa. In the morning she was upset that she didn't get to talk to Santa.

Santa was busy at our house.

Jackson checking out his new chair

And playing football while riding his fire truck

Haley was a very good girl and Santa answered her wish, a kitchen and cookies.

Christmas afternoon we spent at Grandma Jean's house. Haley helped make a pie

Uncle John helped Jackson with his new toys

What a very Merry Christmas we had.

NEW YEAR 2011!!

For New Years we went over to the neighbor's house. Jackson crashed prior to ringing in the New Year but Haley stayed up for the big event. She loved the fireworks until someone let off a round of very loud firecrackers. I still haven't figured out the point of firecrackers. They are just loud to me. Nothing fun to look at? Oh well, obviously people like them.

Jackson loves being outside. In fact, that is all he wants to do.

Haley showing off her new jacket. She is in to making silly faces for the camera. Not sure how to get her to smile normal anymore.

FIRST HAIRCUTS

Haley's first haircut was three years in the making! She really needed a trim and Jackson's curls, while cute, were starting to look a little shaggy. So we made a day of taking the kids to the haircut place in the mall.
Haley was up first and did a GREAT job.

What a big girl

She even got her hair styled in braids for the first time. How cute.

Next up was Jackson. He wasn't so sure at first.

The tears started...

But didn't last long. Mommy blew some bubbles and all was good.

What a handsome boy! He looks so grown up.

And since the kids did so good we rode the marry go round

Yeah, I'm cool like that

Now we're all caught up! That was the last 4 weeks in a few pictures. Now on to this week....

PRINCESS FUN

Haley has wanted to get dressed up when we come home from school. She is too cute. She always asks to put on her dress, pink headband, shoes, purse and Jackson can be her prince while she goes to the ball. Jackson usually has other plans but it makes my heart melt :)

Here is Haley dressed for the ball one evening.

THE ZOO
Today we took the kids to the Zoo. They love being outside and seeing all the animals so we ended up getting a membership. We're excited to visit several times during the spring and fall. The summers are usually too hot!

Haley wanted to visit the Tigers first, shocker since her best friend is her tiger (who is pink but she says it's a boy!).

Jackson loved the lions. I guess it was the nice cool weather and the time of year but the lions were really frisky and active today.

The male lion at the Houston Zoo

The newest exhibit is The African Forest. Jackson had a blast banging the drums

And Haley did her best Stevie Wonder impression

The chimps were a joy too. One time this chimp looked right at Haley and sat in front of her. It was awesome

And who can resist a playground even if you are surrounded by lots of cool animals?

The petting zoo is always a favorite. Haley did great brushing the goats while Jackson would try to eat the brush.

The last stop was right outside the zoo to feed the ducks and birds. We would watch the kids take a bite then throw some bread and pancakes to the birds. It was funny.

What a fun day at the Zoo! Hopefully it won't take another month before I post again :)