Merry Christmas!

The girls were up at 4:30 am! Christmas morning! This year the girls were so excited about Christmas! I wish I could freeze this age forever! We had a really nice Christmas! As we were leaving for church Christmas eve, it was snowing! It was only snow flurries, but it was so beautiful! Christmas eve and Christmas day were very cold! We had our neighbors and Carlos' brother over for Christmas dinner. We were all so exhausted by evening time. Azul fell asleep while we were watching a movie, and the girls slept until 11 am Saturday morning!

We went to the North Pole last night!

We went to the North Pole last night and saw Santa! Oh how I wish Neal was still alive! He would of had so much fun with the girls last night! I had bought tickets last January, since this trip sells out in one day! We took the North Pole Flyer, which is part of the Austin Steam Train Association. The trip took a little over 2 hours, and was filled with Mrs. Claus, Santa, Christmas caroling, hot cocoa, cookies, story telling, and of course "Train Whistles"! The girls loved it, and it was worth the time and the money! The train was filled with "kids" in their PJs, and the energy was incredible! The Santa Claus on the train was the "BEST" Santa I have ever seen!...Real beard etc...! All the laughter really put me into the Christmas spirit, and I really needed that this year! Merry Christmas!

Baking Christmas Cookies

This morning we mixed, rolled, decorated, and baked Christmas cookies. The girls helped in the actual making of the dough, and of course enjoyed the decorating! When they were finished, of course we had to take a little "sampling"! I'm off this weekend, and we are planning on going on the Polar Express train tonight.

Christmas Parties up at the School

The girls had their school Christmas parties up at the school today. This is the first time for Aden to participate in a Secret Santa gift exchange. Aden was so excited. It was so much fun to watch the kids open the gifts and to see who had picked their name! This is the first year that the girls classrooms are at opposite ends of the school! So we spent half the time was with Aden and then with Azul. Carlos was able to get off early to attend! I didn't get any pictures of Azul. There were so many parents in Azul's classroom, we really couldn't move around much in the classroom. I am off this weekend, and we are going on the Polar Express Saturday night!

December Nights, December Lights!

Aden had her 3rd grade musical Tuesday night. It was titled, December Nights, December Lights! Very cute! All the songs were Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Hanuka etc...There was even a song in spanish. Aden had a speaking part in spanish, and she did great! Azul has her musical in the spring.

Well, we got the tree up! And some!

We finally got our tree up today! The girls did a GREAT job decorating! We still need to put the finishing details etc...but it is starting to look like Christmas! We have the polar express under the tree again this year. All of Aden and Azul's little friends enjoy the train. Carlos only put a few lights out this year, but it look nice. It was still too light when I left for the hospital to take any pictures, but I will take one tonight to post.

Azul's End of the Season Soccer Party

Today Azul had her end of the season soccer party. Azul got the
"Most Competitive" player award and her trophy. We all had pizza and cake. The kids also have a great time no matter where the party is held!

Thanksgiving Day

This is going to be the first time since Karina's disappearance, that I am going to be alone for Thanksgiving! Carlos left this morning at 6:30 am with the girls to go to Mexico. My schedule still has not changed, and Carlos just didn't want to wait until December to go to see his family. I have time off then. I took this picture just before they left. I just want them to come home safe and sound!

Azul's Thanksgiving Class Program!

Azul's class put on a Thanksgiving program, which was sooooo cute! The kids preformed songs, poems, and jokes etc....The program only last about 20 minutes, but was so cute. Azul had a speaking part, and held up picture of the Mayflower and gave a little history of the Mayflower. She remembered all of her part. Very cute and fun. Pictures are of Azul reciting her speaking part, Azul with her turkey that she made, being silly, and her class. Azul is on the far right side, in the second row.

UT Field Trip with the 3rd Grade

Aden's class and the 3rd grade went on a field trip to the University of Texas two weeks ago. They got to tour the campus, go to the Bevo museum, Bevo is the mascot for UT, he has his own museum, go to the hall of trophies, and then we all went to Zilker park for lunch and some playground play. We did A LOT of walking, but it was a beautiful day, and the kids had a really fun time.

Aden's Soccer Party!

Aden had her soccer party two weeks ago for her team the Leopards! The girls had a great season this fall! Aden was awarded the "Unstoppable" award, which was very fitting, since she was the team's top goal scorer! Azul has her soccer party coming up in a week. Azul's season was a little longer and a little different. The girls are in different competitive levels. The pictures are of the party, Aden with some of her prizes that she won, Azul on the bumper cars, and Aden getting her award and trophy.

Aden's Last Soccer Game!

Today was Aden's last game of the season. Azul still has two more games left this season, but Aden is in a different division, and they finish sooner, and the two top teams go to the CAYSA tournament. We finished 7th, but the girls really played a great season! Both pictures are of Aden's team, the Leopards. One is a silly picture. They are having their team party at Jumping Beans next Friday night.

Happy Halloween!

We carved jack-o-lanterns yesterday afternoon. This is the first year the girls actually did all themselves, well I helped with Azul's pumpkin. She picked a more difficult pattern, which had very small cuts, and she needs a "little" help. We bought one of those pumpkin carving kits this year, and they are really good for kid's little hands etc...The only thing is there not very sturdy. I have concession stand duty at 10-12, Azul has her game at 12 noon, then Aden has her game at 1:30 pm. We were invited to a Halloween party, which it really is a birthday party, but a costume theme. I am still on my night schedule, YUCK! My schedule is suppose to be changing in Nov! Happy Halloween! BOO!!

Fall Dance up at the School

Last night was the school's fall dance and carnival. It was a Hollywood nights theme, and the kids could dress up. The girls just love going, since their friends are there, and there are so many activities and games! The girls were Super Girls, and looked so CUTE! It is called a dance, but it is really just a DJ, and kids just jump and play, but it is a lot of fun. We had soccer games today, and Azul has another game tomorrow.

First Game of the Season!

Today was the girls first game of the season! Yea! Our games actually got rained out last Saturday, so today was the first day of the season. We literally have been at the soccer fields all day today. Azul won her game, and she scored 6 of the 8 goals for the team. Aden lost her game, but she scored the only goal for the team. They both played great! It has been a little cooler, but it did get into the low 90's this afternoon. I took off this weekend, and it has been a very relaxing time for us. I am also in the process of changing my schedule in a couple of weeks, which will allow me to be home on the weekends. VIA SOCCER!