The African Forest

Today we went to the Houston Zoo with several of our close friends to check out the new African Forest!  The Zoo has worked hard to develop almost a theme park like atmosphere - all of the decorations from the eating establishments to the gift shop to the bathrooms reflect the African Forest.  Plus, you have a really great chance to up close and personal to several of the animals!

Sophia and I by the elephants

Sammy, Sophia and several of their friends checking out the huts in the African Forest

Sammy and his friend make 'beautiful music' on the drums in the African Forest

Sammy and his current flame, M . . . they are so cute together!

Sophia brushes the goat's hair!

All I can say is, thank goodness she didn't decide to brush her own hair after she finished with the goat's! Overall, it was a great day - we enjoyed seeing our friends, and we had a great time!

Painting is So Much Fun!

Sophia fingerpaints . . .

And Sammy goes to town with the watercolors . . .

I DIRTY!  she says . . .

Happy New Year's!

Happy New Year!  I am so excited to see what 2011 will hold for us.  We spent New Year's Eve with my bestie, Amanda and her sweet family!

I love these kiddos!  The only one missing is Aiden, and that's because he was asleep!

And They Love Each Other, Too!

Sophia and Sammy are at such a neat age - Sammy is 4.5, and Sophia is almost two.  It's so sweet to see them playing together and interacting on a daily basis.  I love them, and I know they love each other!

A sweet face while drawing with shaving cream!

Yep, Sammy's dirty!

Hugs in our favorite place, the laundry basket!

Christmas 2010

There are too many words to describe Christmas, so how about some pictures instead!

Sammy opening presents at GiGi and GoPaw's!

Sophia and her Cabbage Patch Doll from GiGi and GoPaw!

Karsyn, Madison and Sammy being the monkeys that they are!

Sammy and Karsyn

Mom, quit taking pictures of me!

Christmas morning at our house!

Sammy's big present, the iPod!  I think he liked it . . .

More shoes for Imelda Marcos . . .

Sophia's big present, the outdoor playhouse!

My cousin's hubby Jeremy, sporting the running belt that I would like to wear!

Yep, They're Related

Watching a movie at GiGi and GoPaw's (Mike's parents) . . . blocks in mouth for both of them, apparently . . .

Mowing the Lawn

It was an unseasonably warm day, so Mike decided to run the mower over the lawn to even everything out and mulch some of the leaves.  It's so cute - Sammy decided to help!

Mike is hustling for sure!

Sammy focuses . . .

I love my two men!

Surgery, Christmas Cards and Other "Crafts"

Sophia had surgery today to correct her umbilical hernia.  It was not a long procedure, but afterwards she was pretty upset when waking up from the anesthetic.  Sammy was so sweet - he tried to sing "Baby Mine" for her.  She was a total champ the rest of the day!  Here's how she spent the majority of it . . .

Cuddled on the recliner with a blankie and her pink CareBear!

Later on that day, Sammy and I worked on his Christmas cards.  Every year, we exchange Christmas cards with our playgroup friends!  I always try to have the kids make a homemade card - I think it's fun for them to work hard and then share their art with their friends.  Here's the cards we made this year . . .

It's meant to be a candle.  The inside says "Jesus is the LIGHT of the world!"  I cut the strips and the flames, Sammy glued them on and signed the inside.  It was a good use of my leftover scrapbooking paper for sure!

Sophia wanted to sign them as well . . . she also ended up signing her face!

We rounded out the day by decorating gingerbread men.  I was feeling a bit sad about the fact that we didn't decorate a real gingerbread house this year, so I thought this could be the next best thing!

At first, Mike was a bit hesitant, but he got really into it after a few minutes . . .

Sammy and his gingerbread man . . . Sammy loves icing, can't you tell?

Mike's final product.  I believe it looks like Mister Bill!

Sophia just loved eating the cookie and all the candy!

We Love Gingerbread Houses!

This year, we made a real gingerbread house at our friend's house with playgroup, so I purchased a foam gingerbread kit for Sammy and I to do at home.  I have to admit, at playgroup it was very difficult for me to be hands-off, but I was pleased (and surprised) at the wonderful job Sammy did on his very own gingerbread house.  Plus, he was so proud to have done it all by himself!

Sammy's all by himself gingerbread house!

Getting all set up with the foam kit . .. 

Working hard!

Look at me!

The requisite putting stickers where they don't belong picture!

Look at that! 

And a side-by-side comparison!

The Santa Picture

You know, the Santa picture.  The one where you dress your kids up, drive to the mall, stand in line to take pictures with Santa, and pray that for just one second, both of them will be smiling . . .

We actually got lucky this year!  I figured, as long as they were both dressed, I'd take a few pics at home, and then head on to SantaLand at the mall and just hope for the best . . .

Look how sweet they are!  We actually used this on our Christmas card!

Although it's not the best picture, as she's not looking at the camera, I love how he's holding onto her and the trust in her face!

Don't laugh, I tried, people!

Sammy's smiling, Sophia is trying not to cry.  So proud of her - she was unsure, but she was willing to stick it out!

And this one is just pee-in-the-pants hilarious!  She's smiling, and he has the "I didn't do it!" look on his face - what a card!

How'd your Santa pics go this year??