Panda-monium

Ever since his encounter with Panda at the American Cancer Society's Cancer Kids Halloween Party, Alan has been completely in love with pandas. We have been getting him panda toys and books ever since, and so have our friends.

We got him a Kung Fu Panda cake for his birthday of course. Chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, along with Po, Master Sifu and Mistress Tiger.



The first stuffed panda Alan opened was Ming, a small Ty beanie baby from Jaz and Em. So soft!



Poor Ming - Alan decided to rub his head on her, and then subjected her to a belly flop. That's no way to treat a lady!



The next one he opened was Ping, the Zoobie stuffed animal/pillow/blanket from Mommy and Daddy.



Ping is much better equipped to handle the belly flops, especially when she's in pillow mode.



Ming jumps on Ping! Yay! Alan's pandas know how he likes to play. How funny that Alan's first two pandas are named for his Auntie Janet (Ming) and his Mommy (Ping). Auntie Chelle found a panda toothbrush holder and a panda luggage tag for him. Then he got a third panda from Mackenzie, whom we have named Buddy (because Auntie Jenn found him at HEB).

The latest addition to Alan's group of pandas came from Auntie Neil - 30 inches tall sitting, which is just enough room for Alan to lean against and tuck his head under it's chin.



We decided to name him Tackley, since he is big enough for Alan to tackle. Here is a video of Alan's first encounter with Tackley.

Another Hill Country Christmas

Once again, we got VIP preview tickets to Schlitterbahn's Hill Country Christmas. We had so much fun last year, so we were looking forward to going with Daddy this year. We enjoyed the "snow" and Christmas lights blinking to Christmas music!

We were worried with the rain earlier in the day, but it stopped in time for us to enjoy the lights and meant it wasn't crowded at all. There was no line up to see Santa and we got story time with Mrs. Claus all to ourselves! We were having a time getting both boys to smile and look at the camera at the same time, but then Daddy broke out the Aerosmith. At first, the girls behind the camera looked at Daddy like he was crazy, then they saw the boys grinning and bobbing their heads to the music and started laughing.

It started sprinkling again so we went into Mrs. Claus's story time. Alan preferred to roam around, but Kevin sat on Daddy's lap for the first story. He was a little nervous at first, not wanting to go over to Mrs. Claus to choose a story book. By the second story, he was off Daddy's lap and choosing another book for Mrs. Claus to read. Finally, Mommy chose a book about Rudolph, which had a button for Kevin to press which lit up Rudolph's nose!

After more lights and a snack, we headed home after changing the boys into fuzzy PJs. Alan fell asleep on the way home, but Kevin held on long enough to brush his teeth. What a fun outing!

Working out

Kevin has been having so much fun following along with Mommy's workout that we set up a workout just for him on the Wii. Here is Kevin finishing off a Sun Salutation. We're so proud of him!

Trick or ReTreat 2009

It's the 9th Annual Trick or ReTreat, our neighbourhood pizza picnic and costume parade. For the last several years, Auntie Chelle has joined us for the festivities.



Alan loved running around the cul-de-sac! Mommy and Daddy took turns running after him as he headed down the street until he decided to stick to the cul-de-sac under the watchful eye of one of the neighbourhood girls.




Kevin tried his basket on his head like a helmet. Maybe Mommy should have gotten the matching ball cap after all!



This was Kevin's first year trick-or-treating around the Circle. Here he is basket at the ready!



Before we start the treat gathering though, we need to take a group picture! It's like herding cats!



Kevin had fun and wanted to choose his own treats!



We finished off next door, then it was off to a late bed time. Auntie Chelle took Alan home for bath time and bed with Daddy about half way around the Circle.



Auntie Chelle slept over and watched Kung Fu Panda with Mommy and Daddy after the boys were in bed. The next morning, Auntie Chelle had some PJ/bed head snuggle time with Kevin and Alan.

Pumpkin Patch with Mackenzie

This year, we went to the pumpkin patch in Cibolo with Mackenzie. It was a nice quiet little patch complete with hay bales, scarecrow, a wishing well and a little "barn".


A family portrait.


Alan enjoys roaming free.


Alan, Kevin and Mackenzie give us big smiles!


Alan makes a run for it. "Maybe the pumpkins will slow them down!"


Kevin and Mackenzie peek out of the barn.

Unfortunately, we came the day after the Cibolo Fall Festival, so there weren't any little pumpkins left. We left with lots of pictures but no pumpkin.

Firehouse visit

We had a fun visit to the firehouse today. Alan and Daddy stayed at home so Mommy and Kevin were on their own.


Kevin loved the fire fighter hat, courtesy of Firehouse Subs.


The fire fighters showed the kids all their tools.


Kevin got to sit up on the driver's seat of the truck.


After showing all the gear to the kids, the fire fighters pulled the ladder truck outside so they could raise the ladder. Kevin was in awe!


The ladder goes really high!


The fire fighters let the kids shoot water from the hose.


And then, the kids helped them wash the truck!


What a fun afternoon!

Wii have fun!

Mommy has been working out with the Wii more since we got the Wii Fit Plus. One of the new features is Baby Stats - now Alan can have a Mii and we can track his weight with it.



Kevin has been following along with Mommy while she does her yoga workout and has been cheering her on.

It's curtains for the boys!

Kevin has always loved playing with the curtains, whipping them aside with a big grin when we call out "Where's Kevin?". Well little brother Alan has been having just as much fun hiding in them and playing peek-a-boo.

Sleepy boys

Going back to school

Kevin heads back to school. This year, he is in the afternoon class, so we don't have to be up at the crack of dawn to catch the bus.


Ready for another year!


Here comes the bus!


He's a big boy now!


Kevin's home from his first day.