New Year's Eat

Because New Years Eve is a on Sunday this year we did things a little differently. We celebrated like we usually do with a miniseries and lots of snacks but this time we did it on Saturday night. We watched North and South this year. I called it New Years Eat instead of New Years Eve. 

Then on Sunday night I set an alarm to wake the kids up at 11:55 so we could count down and toast to the new year with sparkling cider. We did so sleepily and then all wandered back to bed. 

Welcome to 2024!

Zoo

We went to the zoo today. Actually, we took two cars because Jaons was making a trip to the dump and then would meet us there. it is the first time I ever drove to the zoo and there is this one turn where the signs say you are going to Juarez. I started freaking out. Then on the last turn before you hit the border, there is a lane that leads to downtown. I took that and we were at the zoo soon after. For a second I thought we were going to be stuck in another country. Phew! Now I know. 

The zoo has a new penguin exhibit and it was awesome. Those little guys are so social. They could've been anywhere in the tank but they were up front, showing off for the visitors. A funny thing happened at the penguin exhibit as well. Jaosn yelled, "Hey, how are you to someone who looked really familiar but that I couldn't quite place. I looked at his wife and had the same feeling. But when I looked at the kids, it clicked. It was our neighbors from Truewinds Dr, the Farnsworths! They are at Fort Bliss now but live on the East side. It was fun to catch up. It has been a few years and the kids are so grown up. Here is a picture of our whole neighborhood crew back in NC.

We then traveled through the whole zoo. The seals were funny today, the big cats were pretty lazy and the wild dogs were just sleeping. The pet adoption center actually had cats today but they were closed for a break at the time we came by. The girls want to come back on GirlDay and pet the kittens. 

All in all, it was a fun morning at the zoo. We will probably be back next month. 

 

Christmas Day 2023

As the kids get older they are still excited about Christmas morning but are also excited about sleep. So half of them slept in (until 7am) and half of them woke up around 4 or 5am. 

The elf this year was Darby. She brought me my present first. I got a portable diffuser, a silly mug from Calamityware, a new perfume and a journal from Eva with family pictures on it and a cute baby cheetah on the back.

Jason got a Kindle scribe, a Ron Swanson mug, a new polyester tie and a pocket multi-tool. Eva bought him a Hermey the Elf Funko doll, which is especially funny given that Hermey wants to be a dentist.

Brendan received new pajamas (that actually fit him), a D&D book, a toaster (which he was MOST excited about) and a laptop. The laptop was such a good deal that it is kind of a graduation present too. Darby got him a book from a favorite author and Eva bought him a copy of Frankenstein that he was very happy with as well.

Eva's presents were a KitchenAid hand mixer, a sketchbook, a coin holder craft, and several books she has been wanting. Paige bought her a book and some funny socks. Brendan gave her a small fondue set.

Darby opened pajamas, a new fleece sweater, a super big hot cocoa mug, Barbies, and some fuzzy socks. Brendan bought her a book series and Eva gave her a stuffed fox. 

Lastly, Paige got a necklace in her stocking and her presents were some more books, a new set of markers, some Schleich figures, and a Lego Ninjago game. Eva gave her Phoebe and her Unicorn books and now she almost has the full set.

The Waltons had us for Christmas and sent a video game version of Twister and a puzzle game. They were packaged in different flavors of popcorn that we ate while we watched the new Star Trek movie series. 

At dinnertime, we had ham, green beans, homemade rolls, and scalloped potatoes. I also made the peppermint pie that Paige loves for dessert.

In the evening we played the Twister game. It is super fun but exhausting. Paige was the undisputed winner.

 Merry Christmas to all!