December

 I'll just sum up the whole month in one post. The Christmas season has been so fun with Max. He loved looking at Christmas lights. We took a hayride around one of the neighborhoods close to us that always has really good lights, and we also went to a place that has a train that goes through a large light display. That was a hit - 2 of his favorite things at once! I think the hayride will become an annual tradition. As for Christmas itself, it was a little hectic at times but so much fun with Max. He still didn't really get the idea of opening presents. On Christmas morning at our house, he was much more interested in playing with the toys that he already had than in opening presents. We spent a couple days before Christmas at my parents' house and celebrated Christmas on Christmas Eve morning. Max loves his grandparents, great-grandma, and Aunt Ellen! It's so fun to hear him say all their names now, and he had so much fun playing with all of them. 

That afternoon we came back home for our Christmas Eve church service and then dinner with Matt's family.  We enjoyed a quiet Christmas morning at home with presents and cinnamon rolls.

 

Then on to the next stop - Matt's parents' for more presents and lunch. 

It was fun with all three kids opening presents and playing. 

Round 3 (or 4?) - Some of Matt's family came down on Sunday so we were back for a few more presents and more eating! Two more kids were added to the mix so they all had another fun day of playing.

By that evening, we were all definitely ready for some rest. I think Max took a nap that afternoon for the first time in 5 days. At least he had slept well at night over that stretch. We had a good week at home last week and celebrated the New Year in our pj's with a kiss and a toast.

Now...the countdown to Max's birthday!

Fall in Indiana

A long time ago (well...back in October) we took a trip to Indiana to visit my sister and see autumn (although now that it's December, our maple trees are looking very colorful - so if anybody says south Texas doesn't have fall, you can just tell them we do, it just doesn't happen until after Thanksgiving). Anyway, we drove and we were a little scared about a two-day drive with Max but he was great in the car. We had lots of fun with Aunt Ellen, discovered that Max truly does not like to sleep anywhere other than his own bed (not counting the car), played in the leaves, ate good food, and had a nice little vacation.

He felt that he had to sit on the pumpkin

Halloween...a little late

Max enjoyed Halloween this year. Since he's really into trains right now, he was a train engineer. Saturday, we went to the zoo for Zoo Boo. Max liked the animals but his favorite thing, of course, was riding the train, or the "coo-coo" as he says.

"I want to ride again!!"

We took him trick or treating at Mawmaw and Pawpaw's and then stopped by some other friends' houses. He got the idea that he was supposed to get candy but he wouldn't say "trick or treat". 

Can't wait to see him at Halloween next year!

Private...

We've decided to make the blog more private, so you'll have to be invited and sign in to read it. If you think I might not have your email address, and you want to keep reading, send me your email so I can invite you!

Another Camping Trip

We bought a camper! We took it for a short trip to Lake Texana to try it out at the beginning of the month. I don't have any pictures of the camper but here are some from our trip!

Nanny, Grampa, and Great-Nanny came for supper

An armadillo visited the campsite - yuck!

 An evening hike with his "night-night"

 

We're looking forward to lots of fun trips and great memories in our little pop-up!

Dewberry Farms

We took a trip to Dewberry Farms earlier in the month. It's become an annual tradition with Matt's family and we were excited about taking Max this year.  We had a full day of looking for pumpkins, riding trains and ponies, and trying to take lots of pictures of 3 crazy kids!

Max did not like the slide!

But he loved the pony ride!

 

The "cow train" was another favorite!

Looking for the perfect pumpkin!

Garden Update

I might have tomatoes in a few days! There are lots of little green tomatoes on two of the plants. I'm pretty excited! I found a caterpillar eating my cucumber plant. I don't know if it's going to make it. The broccoli and arugula both look just okay so we'll see if they get any better. I don't think it's rained since I posted last, so we have to try to remember to water.  I'd like to plant some carrots or lettuce, but we've been so busy! (which is also supposed to explain the lack of blogging)

Why I think anyone cares about my garden, I'm not sure...but I felt the need to update...