Victim #2

Dear Jake,
I'm conspiring to get you hooked on checking my blog for updates. If I spread out the posting, you'll keep checking back for more. I know, it's not a great plan. But my life is a bit mundane right now and this beats posting about laundry. Besides, there's a lot of photos to proof:) and I do have a few other things that keep me busy. So here's a bit more...

Hester:

New victims

While my sibs were here, I subjected them all to a couple of photo shoots. Partly because I need new victims/subjects. Partly because my mom wanted some pictures of these 3 (apparently their frames are empty at my mom's house). Anyway, they put up with me getting in their faces. (Thank you Hester, Hannah, and Karl.) So I thought I'd show you some of my faves. Here's Hannah's:
p.s. copper really wanted to be in on all the action!

It was good while it lasted

We had a great week with Hester, Hannah, and Karl staying for the week. They were a ton of help (my dishes were done 4 or 5 times a day) and played with my kids (I wish I'd gotten a picture of Karl playing Polly Pockets - all by himself). We went out to eat, went shopping, to the movies, played lots of Rock Band and Wii sports and board games. We will all miss Hannah, Hester and Karl. We begged and pleaded for them to stay. But I guess they had to go home sometime. We can't wait to see them again.

Here's some of the other things we did all week:

The kids shot the BB gun in the garage at

This target made from all the boxes we received for the last month of Christmas packages. Those are little army men on the box.

We had a second Thanksgiving dinner last Sunday. For the real turkey day we had enchilladas. Nate wanted the whole shebang. So he cooked it all up himself! It was delicious.


Isaac carved it.
There was no shortage of food all week. We had lots of brownies, pumpkin squares, cookies, candy, etc. I think I gained a few more pounds.

Hannah brought her flute and played with Aspen. She is a great teacher! I wish she lived closer to give Aspen lessons.

We played lots of games.

Karl is helping Hazel read the 12 days of christmas pop up book.


We took lots of pictures, especially goofy ones like these:


There was lots of between activity sleeping.

As well as mid activity sleeping.



And lots of reading. (I think Karl read 10 books while he was here!)

Christmas morning was glorious! The kids woke up at a semi decent hour: 7:30 am. We held them at bay until 8am and had them wake up the "big" kids (Hester, Hannah, and Karl), then they could open presents.

Isaac loved his metal detector from Grandma. Nate got a binary clock, among other things.

Aspen loved her scooter and is showing off some cozy slipper socks.

The ponies from Hannah and Hester were a BIG hit. And she got her requested candy necklaces from Santa!

Toby is very excited about his new computer game (everyone has been enjoying this gift!) And his t-shirt is self-explanatory.

Hannah and Hester

Karl got (and gave) a bunch of books - which he read (both the ones he got and gave to others) during the day.


It was a great day. When I asked the kids if the got everything they wanted, they all said, "YES!" So I guess this year was a success.

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve the San Antonio Claytons came up to visit. We decorated our gingerbread houses (one of our traditions). We hot glued the houses together since the kids don't really want to eat the houses, just the candy. Then everybody went to work decorating.

Here's the traditional group shot. The kids are all getting bigger. Look at Aspen, she's nearly as tall as Hester, Hannah and me!

Down to the wire

It's 5:05 am.
No. I am not just getting up.
I am just going to bed.
I don't know why I wait until the last moment to finish projects. But I do.
Hazel only requested two things for Christmas this year: candy necklaces, and a pink princess dress. I included a princess hat for good measure. Here they are:

I've had the fabrics for a month. But I just finished. At least I did finish.
Now for my long winter's nap...yeah, right.

Anyone else a Christmas procrastinator?

Spreading Christmas Cheer

For our activity tonight we went to the Senior Assisted Living Center and put on a little music recital/carol singing. Everyone played a piece or two. Isaac played the piano; Aspen played the flute, by herself and a couple of flute duets with Hannah; Toby played the trumpet; and I played the piano. Then we all sang/led carol singing. The kids were a little apprehensive about this activity. Partly because it involved performing in public, partly because they were unsure about hanging with older people. But I was very proud of them. They did very well with the recital, and were polite and kind. The grandma's and grandpas were quite taken with Hazel. She was singing her little heart out and and dancing. We met a lady whose name was also Hazel! So we took a picture. I meant to take pictures the whole time. But I forgot. Anyway, good job to everyone tonight. Thanks also to Hannah, Hester and Karl, who were good sports. I was glad that they (my children, not Hannah, Hester and Karl. If they were nervous they didn't let on.) did this even though they were nervous. I think maybe we'll do it again. Especially with Hazel. The little grannies loved her and she brought smiles to everyone's faces.

Meeting with the big guy

Hazel has had lots of chances to talk to Santa this year. I was just glad she wasn't scared of him, like last year.

Hazel's Program

Last week we went to Hazel's preschool Christmas program. She sang 2 songs with her class. They did a really good job. And all the children looked so cute in their Christmas outfits.

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After the program there was punch and cookies in her classroom (Of course). Here's Hazel with her teacher, Mrs. Mindy.

The Best Present Ever!

I always tell people that the best present they can get their kids for Christmas is a nice big cardboard box--doesn't matter the age of the kids.

Today, we got a large package with some gifts in it, and the first thing Isaac did was ask for the box. I let him have it, and 10 minutes later this is what I found in the hall. Isaac somehow managed to get the folding lids under the his body--he was stuck in the box.

Sing Along

We went to the Austin Symphony Christmas Sing Along on Tuesday. It is one of our semi-traditions (meaning that we do it some years, but not others - depends on our schedule and if we can actually get the tickets. The tickets are free but you have to have one and they are limited). Anyway, we went to sing carols with the symphony and a whole bunch of strangers. Frosty, Rudolf, Santa and Elvis all made appearances. Every kid in the auditorium rushed to the stage to say hi (except Elvis - I guess little kids don't know who he is). What's Christmas without Elvis right?

The kids went to say hi to their band teacher who plays the french horn, and one of the violinists is an assistant principal. It was fun for them to actually know some of the performers. When it was over, I asked everyone if they had a good time. Nate said he actually enjoyed it. I guess he didn't want to go in the first place. Glad he went anyway and it was fun.