Adventures in Aggieland

Fall is here, although you cannot tell from the weather! With fall comes college football, of course. Matt and I both love to watch college football and enjoy going to the Aggie games in person even more. Two of the last three football seasons I have been pregnant so that puts a little damper on sitting in the sweltering heat watching a game. While I have enjoyed it from the confines of the air conditioned house, this year I was determined to get to at least one game. The kids are still really young and since you have to buy a ticket for every person we were hesitant on spending the money to take the kids when we would likely only get one quarter in. However, they had 1/2 price tickets to last weekend's game vs. LA Tech so we decided to go. Despite it being a very hot day and Haley not taking a nap, we had a great time experiencing gameday as a family. The kids did fantastic even lasting through the entire first half and the halftime show! I think we will wait a couple more years to get season tickets but we can see this as a definite tradition in the Vara house in a few years.

Prior to the game the kids burned off some energy jumping in Jackson's bed.

I love the way Jackson is looking at his big sister. They love each other :)

Haley decided to kick back and eat her breakfast.

Jackson wanted his bottle

The Vara's in College Station. 2 points for anyone who can guess what dorm that is???

Haley was keeping us all cool with the water bottle fan. Jackson loved it.

Awwww, this feels good!

The Vara girls. I love this little girl sooooooo much.

Jackson outside of Kyle Field. Maybe in a few years we will be watching him play in Kyle Field.

Haley was mad that she couldn't go back to the tailgate. We were trying to get a family picture but that didn't work out.

Mommy and Bubba

A happy Haley with Kourtney at the tailgate getting their grubb on.

Daddy helping Jackson clap to the beat of the drums when the players come on the field.

Haley clapping. She did awesome cheering on the Aggies, especially during a goal line stance once. She was funny. When the students were doing a yell and she decided to do her yell, "H-A-L-E-Y....Goooooooo Haley!"

Jackson was little restless a few times so Matt would walk around with him. The isn't the best picture of Matt and Jackson but I love how the background turned out. It looks fake!

And the Aggies Won!!!!!!!!!!!

After the game we walked back to our car parked at Northgate. Of course since we were already there, we had to take the kids into The Dixie Chicken. The game was still going on so it was empty. And they have banned smoking in all College Station bars so no worries there. Jackson droped a big load in his pants as soon as we walked in the door. I had to do what any mom would do, drop back the stroller and change the diaper right there. Well, I at least went into a corner but I'm pretty sure that served as birth control for some college kids that night.

In the Dixie Chicken. Haley was passed out but Jackson enjoyed it.

What a fun trip to College Station!! Gig 'em Aggies.

Fire Station, Cooking, Bubbles & School

Last Saturday we decided to make a trip to the fire station. We hadn't visited since Jackson was a couple months old and this time he was enjoying being the center of attention. He was a little timid at first but quickly made everyone smile.

He enjoyed pizza with the guys

And playing with the toy firetrucks

Playing peek-a-boo

He wasn't too sure about the real firetruck.

No wonder why, it is HUGE! Haley wanted to get into the action too.

We had lots of fun and talked about Jackson's first birthday, which will include a trip to the fire station :)

Haley is at the age where she wants to help with everything or do it herself. She loves to help cook, especially pancakes in the mornings

She's a good helper. Jackson is trying to help...

Sitting and smiling is easier. His second tooth just broke through yesterday!

One of my favorite times of the evening is bathtime. The kids hop in the bath together and always enjoy it. When it's a rough night, bathtime calms them down and makes everyone happy. Haley gets to decide which bathtub we go to and Jackson follows as soon as he hears the water running. It's cute.

This week Haley found the bubbles. She likes to put bubbles on Jackson and he tries to eat them.

Bubba in the bubbles

Haley trying to be Santa

The biggest news of the week was Haley starting school! She had so much fun last year that she is going 4 days a week this year. She was very excited to go back to school and meet her new teacher and friends.

Cheese!

Daddy, Haley and Jackson on her first morning of her 2 year old class. The class placement is based on your age as of Sept 1 so it's just like a normal school. She'll be an older kid with an October birthday but there are a couple kids with Sept and Oct birthdays so that is nice.

Haley did great the first week, which happened to be only 2 days. She did have an accident both days during nap time so we're going to work on that. The first day she woke up from her nap and told the teacher, "oops, I had too much apple juice before nap". Too funny. Hopefully the accidents are just getting used to the new schedule. We're very proud of Haley for doing so great!

And finally, a rare mention of our first "baby". As everyone who has met Buster knows, he is a BARKER but he is so good with the kids. Haley likes to play hide n seek with him and Jackson tries to steal his food or bed. Buster got a new look last week. Doesn't he look handsome :)

I can't believe it is September. I've started to plan Haley's birthday party and I'm almost done with her video montage. Wow, she is getting so big. Then as soon as Haley's birthday planning is over, on to Jackson's. We have a few busy months ahead, how fun!! Have a great week.

Crazy times

I still need to post on our trip to Mexico but this week the kids have been something else. Being a full time working couple with two kids under the age of 3 is quite a challenge at times, however moments like we have had this past week make our hearts overflow with joy. Unfortunatly I didn't capture all the fun this week, like the swimming play date with The Payne and Dautrich families. 6 kids and 5.5 adults (Merrick wasn't feeling well) was a blast and we can't wait to do it again! I was able to capture some evening events like...

Spaghetti dinners. Who knew a simple meal could be so much fun. Haley was slurping away. She's pretty clean here but this was bite three.


Jackson, on the other hand, was not so clean. This was his first taste of spaghetti. I'm not sure any made it in his mouth but he had a good time. Both kids got a sink bath before they were allowed to exit the kitchen!


Sometimes we (the kids) hang out in nothing but diapers and big girl panties with our mickey mouse hats on


Those don't last long. Let me help you get that off Jackson...


Best seat in the house to watch some Dora.


Some evenings we play Cars with each other. We now have Mack, Mater and Lightning McQueen and we usually share.

Haley showing off Mater

Jackson trying to look like Mater

Some evenings we get horsey rides on Daddy. Always a favorite!

Or wrestle Daddy

And some nights we play dress up. Haley wanted to be Snow White and she dressed Jackson in her old chick Halloween costume. Matt and I cracked up!! The two posed for a picture with fat cow, a new favorite of Jackson's.

Snow White making sure Chick doesn't get away too soon

Chick made a run for it...

And then chick decided to fight fat cow. Chick has him pinned

Oh no, fat cow is fighting back

Fat cow has the upper hand. Who will win is anyone's guess

Another favorite is helping put away the dishes. Usually Haley is a huge help and Jackson climbs in the dishwasher getting into trouble. This time Jackson was helping too!

Our life is crazy but we wouldn't have it any other way. LOVE IT!

Vacation Part II: Disney World

Tomorrow finally came! Part II of our vacation started with a drive over to Orlando. The kids did great in the backseat sleeping most of the way. My mom decided to take a two week trip to Orlando at the same time so we met up with her and my brothers. Our original plan was to go to Disney World all day Tuesday then fly out early on Wednesday. We ended up getting to Orlando early in the afternoon so we decided to take the whole gang to Disney World on Monday afternoon too. The park is open until 11:00pm during the summer and with the heat we figured one afternoon would be worth the money.

Day one at Disney was fun. Haley was super excited to see Cinderella and her castle. It was raining when we got there but it quickly passed. What came next was the sweltering heat! Wow, it was HOT. The lines for many rides were long so we stuck to the no line rides or shows.



Family shot #1 - Jackson was busy looking at Walt & Mickey behind us


Family photo #2




Our first stop was Fantasyland and Haley immediately spotted Cinderella's Carousel. Haley, Daddy and Grandma posed for a picture




We wondered around for awhile and decided to take a boat ride. Haley enjoyed looking at all the animals


Jackson had a prime seat on Grandma's lap. My mom had surgery on her foot so she was pushed around by my brothers in a wheelchair so she didn't have to walk to much.


Uncle Nathan, Jackson, Grandma and Uncle John checking out the scenery.


A very hot Jackson enjoyed the ride


To cool off we went shopping. Haley was in heaven. At first she was stuck on the Cinderella dress, wand and glass slippers. Then Daddy showed her the pirate's sword. She LOVES Barbie and the Three Musketeers and was pretending to be one with the sword. The pirate hat stayed but Grandma bought her the sword (which is already broken!).


Of course you can't leave Disney World without personalizes hats!


The castle looks beautiful at night.




The biggest excitement came with the electrical parade at night. I can't even describe how excited Haley was during the parade. Every float she would scream with excitement and say, "Daddy, Daddy... It's Cinderella..." etc. It was so precious. Jackson enjoyed the parade too. He was sitting on Grandma just watching everything go by in amazement. The kids had a great time and finally crashed around midnight!!

Day two at Disney was just Haley, Daddy and Me. My mom's foot was hurting so she stayed behind to watch Jackson for us. Jackson was pretty hot the first day and cannot go on many rides. We missed sharing the experience with Jackson but Haley was super excited to get back to Disney World with just her mom and dad.





At the entrance about to start day 2


Daddy and Haley

The first ride we ventured off to was Pirates of the Caribbean. Haley was a little scared at first but once I got her to look for the animals she thought it was fun.

We hit up a few more rides and then waited in line to meet the princesses. Our princess was in awe.

Haley and Sleeping Beauty

A big hug from Cinderella

Haley and Belle

The absolute best was dinner with Cinderella. Once we had decided to go to Disney I booked us a dinner with Cinderella. We kept telling Haley about it and she couldn't wait. She got all dressed up in her Snow White gown and off to our adventure we went.

The first guest was Cinderella when you walk in. Haley got her picture made with Cinderella and they gave us the copies during dinner.

During the course of dinner they introduce the princesses and they walk around to each table and meet everyone. We were one of the last tables they all visited so the anticipation and waiting was hard for Haley but she did GREAT. She was super excited to meet Snow White.

Haley was the only little girl dressed as Snow White. Snow White was comparing her dress to Haley's

Big smiles

And a big kiss from Snow White. This little Snow White was so happy

Next to come around was Sleeping Beauty

Ariel and Haley

Haley couldn't figure out why Belle wasn't in her princess dress? She loved her anyways!

The food was so so but we would do it again in a minute. I would highly recommend dinner with Cinderella to anyone going to Disney World! Haley had a blast. Afterwards we went over to the princess boutique and told Haley should could pick out two items. Lucky for us we got off pretty easy. She picked out a Sleeping Beauty mini doll set and her Cinderella glass slippers, of course!

We were all getting a little tired and hot so we took the train around the park a few times

Then we decided to do a little shopping and get a front row seat to the electrical parade. I couldn't believe people line up an hour before for this parade! Haley passed out in the stroller in her glass slippers so this gave her a chance to rest. She was so hot her glass slippers fogged up!

Haley woke up right before the parade and was just as excited as the night before.

As a parent there is no greater joy then watching your kids face light up with happiness. Disney World was a huge success and we can't wait to go back in a few years when Jackson is a little older to enjoy it as much as his sister. What a great trip!!

Once we returned from Disney, Grandma and Grandpa Vara came to watch the kids while Matt and I were off to Mexico. More on Part III of vacation later this week...