In our continuing quest to actually see sights of interest in San Antonio, last weekend we went to the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. We just walked around the grounds looking at exhibits and animals, we did not attend the rodeo, but for me and Madeline, the petting zoo was completely worth the price of admission (and the one hour of waiting in traffic and then in line for a ticket).

Despite a freak weather occurrence wherein a beautiful warm, sunny day turned into a wintery tornado in a matter of minutes, we had a good time, at least in part because we got to see Jacob and Susanna.

You know we've had houseguests when....

We post still more pictures of ourselves in front of the Alamo. Chris and Becky were here for a whirlwind tour, but we apparently avoided taking any pictures alongside them-- I think we were just in too much of a hurry.

An innovation in double stroller technology.


I did not get to see this, but Mommy and Daddy came back from an evening out with Chris and Becky and said they had seen a BURNING FOUNTAIN. Can you even believe that?

new shoes

I needed a new pair of tennis shoes, and Daddy bought me some with real big kid laces. He figured he would be able to teach me how before too long, and he was right, I knew how to do it by the time we got home!

Why yes, I do pick my own outfits these days. Aren't I fabulous?

Opening presents from Dan and Nikki

We have to be sure to put up pictures of us opening our gifts from our godparents because they are the only ones who don't get to give us gifts in person. Thank you! We love them!

Obligatory Epiphany party pictures

To make everyone come next year. I seem to have forgotten to photograph the kitchen island, where all the appetizers and hot beverages were.

SIsters!

Isabel highlights

Madeline highlights

Yes, I still haven't blogged the rest of Christmas.

Here I am next to the full stockings. I left Santa a note and some cookies, and he wrote back! I was very excited.


The first thing Madeline pulled out of her stocking was a red Jeep. At that point, Christmas was pretty much over for her-- all she wanted to do was play with her car. Even now, she is still carrying it with her nearly everywhere and insisting on tucking it into bed with her at night.


My OWN chapstick! I was elated. I told Mommy that now that I have my own chapstick, I won't have to steal hers any more.

Madeline poses with some hot cocoa.

Isabel skiing!

I am now five years old, so old enough to be a Wolf Pup at Wolf Creek Ski Area. I was very proud of my name badge and lift ticket and have told everyone I've seen about them. I spent the whole day in ski school all by myself, and when Mommy, Daddy, and Maria came to pick me up, I was ready to hit the slopes AGAIN and AGAIN. I felt very grown up and pleased with myself, though I almost fell asleep over my dinner. I managed to have three entire cups of hot chocolate through the day, which may have significantly impacted my view of skiing.

Before we left on our long drive, Daddy made a comfortable bed for Cleo in the back of the Subaru. After 3.29 seconds, she had leaped over the back of the seat to resume what she feels is her proper place in the car: between me and my sister. There's hardly any room, but she insists. She rests her head on each of us in turn and gets lots of pets and snuggles.

Christmas vacation: part 1

When we drive to NM, Mommy and Daddy get us up out of bed in the middle of the night and don't even take off our pajamas. This year, we arrived at Grandmama and Granddad's house still in them. We took Cleo out to the backyard and discovered the MOST AMAZING THING EVER: piles of leaves. We jumped in them, rearranged them, threw them up in the air, and buried ourselves in them. Apparently we live in the wrong climate zone to get to have any fun at all.

Later, we helped Grandtom gather wood from the old cherry tree to build a fire. We were VERY excited. We don't even have a fireplace at home!