Saturday, December 31, 2011

One last trip 2011

This was our last trip to Sea World in 2011.  My mom and I decided to take advantage of the amazing weather and our season passes (that would soon end) and head on out to Sea World (with EVERYONE else in SA).  We've been quite a bit this year and we have never seen it so busy.  Not too much of a big deal, we just saw all the shows Avalyn had missed (from getting sick), let the kids run around a bit and they were able to ride one ride (after a 30 min. wait).  Ainsley stayed home with Daddy, this worked out great with all the waiting we did- we had to go to the shows 20 min. ahead to get seats.  The shows and kids were great and we called this season at Sea World a huge blessing!
 I left my camera at home, I just didn't want to deal with it and how many pictures does one need at the same place?!  We did use my mom's phone for a few.  Big Bird- placed in the absolutely WORST place for a picture, Avalyn LOVES meeting characters and wanted a picture with him!
 Feeding the ducks- alot cheaper than the dolphins;)  Cambria enjoyed this and even left the ducks her little lizard she was playing with (glad she recovered quickly from that loss- there was no recovery for the tiny little thing).
 Avalyn was just in awe of this girl at the beluga whale and dolphin show, she was so excited to meet her.  She does this rope/ hula hoop routine in the air!
 The strange glowing angel lady in the front!


Friday, December 30, 2011

American Girl Surprise!

 SURPRISE!
 This was such a fun surprise!  My Nana LOVED American Girl dolls and I grew up with my Samantha doll and was fortunate to recieve most of her collection from Nana and my parents.  She was my favorite doll and I played with her all the time.  I still have her and she is now Avalyn's (and Kanani's best friends).  I have been hiding the catalogue for years, until I thought Avalyn was mature enough to handle one- she cut Samantha's bangs when she was little.  I finally let her see a catalogue in the fall and she was in LOVE!  She wanted Kanani and that was it.  I told her when she was 6, but Kanani would be gone before then so I let her ask Santa (Avalyn's birthday is Jan. 23).  She was a big surprise on Christmas morning.  I also decided that I wanted to surprise Avalyn with a visit to the American Girl store in Dallas for her birthday.  She had no clue that such a place existed.  American Girl is so much more than when I was little, my Nana and I would have loved this place back then.  We probably wouldn't be back up that way before her birthday, so we headed to Denton with my sister and decided to make it a girl's day out at the galleria in Dallas.  I wasn't able to get reservation for lunch (we'll be going back for that), but we made the most of it!  It was a great day and Avalyn was so happy!
 Still in a bit of shock as we walked in, I gave her a present!  Matching American Girl Place (Dallas) shirts (I got on a Ciber Mon. sale) and earings for Kanani- yes the pierce the dolls ears there.
 Going up to the boutique!
 Waiting in line to get Kanani's ears' pierced!
 Such a neat place, can't wait to go back- hopefully at a less busy time!
 Ready to shop at the galleria- Avalyn has always LOVED to shop!
 Avalyn and Milla (my sister's foreign exchange student from Italy) eating lunch!
In their new matching shirts on a lion Avalyn just had to have a picture with!
Girls' Day Out! Checking out the massive tree and ice skating rink!
 Watching the ice skaters and playing with Kanani's hair!
 One of Avalyn's favorite people- her cousin Hadley!
These picture were taken at the last minute on our way out- yes we were at the mall for a-long-time!

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Heading Home!

It was a wonderful Christmas at my Grandparents house.  The only downside, was it was cold and RAINY the entire time- the exact opposite of what summer was like there.  The kids were pretty much kept inside the entire time.  On our way out, the rain stopped a bit, we bundled the kids up and I got out the camera!  Kyle and my Dad took the little ones back to San Antonio, while my mom and I and the older 2 headed to my sister's house in Denton for a one day trip and a early b-day surprise for Avalyn.
So HAPPY to have both her Balooga whale and Shamu together again!
Saying goodbye to Great Grandma!
 Ainsley was so excited to be out of the house, she ran right for the swing...
 she was there for just a minute before she realized it was sopping wet with cold rain water and then she ran back...
to only be followed by the dog, she did not like this!
 Ainsley and Foofa ready to go, not so ready to be in a picture...
 Avalyn and Kanani!  Santa really knew what he was doing when he got Kanani and Rain Coat,hat and boots! 
She was so excited to take pictures with her new doll- there are many more to come!

 Always time for a quick ride in the golf cart!

 This is what greets everyone at the front of my Grandparent's property every Christmas!
This year my Aunt updated it with all the new Great-Grandbabies (it had been awhile), including my little ones!