Danielle and Hudson

This school year has been different for me - it's the first year in 9 years that I haven't been in the school system.  My contract position was not renewed last year, so I am now enjoying the time I have at home each day with my kiddos.  Being home has also allowed me to watch Hudson, the son of some friends we've known for almost 10 years.  Hudson has become like my 3rd child, and we have really enjoyed having him here several days a week.  Hudson and Peter are 11 months apart and enjoy playing together, but Danielle and Hudson have really developed a special bond.  She gets so excited when the doorbell rings early in the morning.  She runs to the door calling, "Hudson, Hudson!!".  I recently caught them playing "boat" together while Peter and I worked on something at the table.  They sat on the little couch together while Hudson drove them various places in the "boat".  They giggled and giggled together and were so cute!  I'm glad to see Danielle developing such sweet friendships. 

Because He Lives!!

God sent His son, they called Him Jesus

He came to love, heal, and forgive.

He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

 

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.

 

Because He lives, All fear is gone.

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living just because

He lives!

Sneak Preview . . .

What happens when you take four kids ages 4, 3, almost 2, and 14 months to the park at 8:30 in the morning?

More pictures to come once I learn how to edit RAW files using Photoshop Elements!! :)

Waco Zoo with the Nolens!!

Rebecca and I have spent MLK Day together for the past few years. 

2009 - Austin Zoo
2010 - Scott and White Hospital

2011 - Waco Zoo

Rebecca's family has a Houston Zoo membership, and we were SO BLESSED to have been added to it this year!  The Waco Zoo is free for members of the Houston Zoo, so we were excited to try it out. 

It was a bit chilly, but that meant that the zoo was relatively empty.  Peter had the best time running around with Sydney and looking at all of the animals.  They stopped at each exhibit to observe the animals, trees, waterfalls, and other scenery. 

We saw rhinos, bison, and dik diks . . .

. . . but Peter's favorite exhibit by far was the lions.  He was SO excited when he heard them roaring, but he was even more excited when one came almost close enough to touch - well, except for the safety glass in between!!  The lion was licking his lips as he watched the children - I wonder what he was thinking!!

Danielle did a great job hanging out in the stroller and looking at the various animals as we visited each exhibit.  Even without her morning nap, she was such a good sport!!

There were a few indoor exhibits that allowed her to get out of the stroller and crawl around.  Danielle loved looking at the snakes, and she and Sydney enjoyed discussing the fish.

As Peter and Sydney walked from exhibit to exhibit, they collected a few sticks along the way.  The sticks came in handy when they came across these teepees!  The collected sticks became a "fire" inside to help everyone stay warm!

Toward the end of our visit we came across one of the neatest exhibits - the otters!  It was set up with a clear slide going through the water.  As the kids slid down the slide, the otters swam around in the water.  It was the perfect place to take a break, feed the kiddos, and take a group picture.  The picture took quite a bit of bribery (seems like juice boxes are very exciting after walking around the zoo for a couple of hours!), but we finally got all of the kids looking at us.

Danielle was starting to get cold by this point, so we moved on to the last activity - the playground!  While the big kids ran around and got out the last of their energy, Danielle and I enjoyed some bonding time.  I had intended to return this wrap to Rebecca because I didn't need it anymore, but it got one last use first!  I still have my original Moby Wrap at home, so I think I'll try it a few more times before Danielle decides she's done cuddling!  She enjoyed it so much that she soon fell fast asleep.  :)

We had a fabulous day at the zoo with our friends . . .

I wonder what our 4th Annual MLK Celebration will be like! :)

***Thanks to my friend Leah for loaning me the double stroller!!  The kids were starting to kick each other in the other double stroller I had borrowed, but they really enjoy sitting next to each other.  Thanks Leah!