Heaven

I am in Heaven. It's December 31st, and it's 73 degrees!!!! The windows are open with all that Texas sunshine pouring in. I love Texas winters!!!

Cute boys

A tender mercy when Peter was gone was the ability of these two little boys to play without fighting for over 30 minutes! These boys can make a fight out of nothing, but this afternoon they seemed to be so happy together. Kimball really wanted to ride Joey's bike (which would normally end in some big hysterical fighting match). Joey very kindly agreed to run next to Kimball while he rode the bike back and forth across the cul-de-sac. It made my heart have hope that one day these boys can really be friends--hopefully best-friends.

One day I went to pick up Kimball from the kids club at the gym and he had made these cute Thanksgiving turkeys. He wrote he was grateful for Mom, Dad, Kimball, Joey Gurr, and God. It was so cute!

One of the many nights Peter was gone in November (flying around for interviews for his pedo residency), I was so happy to have the boys in bed and asleep. A few minutes later I heard something coming from their room so I peeked in to see what was going on--I was ready to lay down the law and start dishing out some consequences, but when I saw how sweet they looked I just couldn't. They were snuggled together under the night-light while Joey read "David and Goliath" to Kimball. It was so cute. The flash takes away from moment, but it was so cute. I just sat on the floor and listened until the story was done. Then re-tucked them into bed and gave them one final good night kiss.

Natural Bridge Caverns State Park and Safari

Since Joey had Columbus day off of school, we went with Grandma and Grandpa Taylor to drive through the animal safari. It was first for all of us and a lot of fun!

Grandma Taylor came up with the great idea to place the food right on the window ledge. That way the animals come right next to you, but you don't have to worry about loosing a finger :)

The most exciting part of the day were the zebras and ostriches. It almost felt like we were driving through a pride of lions :)

First those beady eyes peer in.

Then the begging and threatening starts.

Then they finally calm down when they get the food. They even gobbled up the feed bag.

Poor Grandpa Taylor! All he wanted to do was drive the car in peace and this ostrich wouldn't leave him alone. It must have liked his glasses.

Joey finally got to touch the tiny donkey

After the exciting car ride we got our and pet and brushed the goats

Grandpa was so brave

Exploring around the caves after the safari

One final farewell to Joey. We surprised him with 2 fun visitors for lunch.

Lots of random fun

Peter finished the Tough Mudder Race and felt incredibly manly :) It was 12 miles of death defying obstacles and he did amazing at it!

We had so much fun with all our October visitors. We had Melissa, G-pa's Gurr and then Taylor, and even my good friend Jennifer and her family. It was non-stop fun.

Joey and Kimball's amazing track building skills

We had lots of fun playing with Grandma and Grandpa Gurr

Kimball trying to roll over the tree in our backyard that got knocked over in a crazy micro burst. You never know what the weather will do.

Joey helped us create a tradition of making the treat out of that month's Friend magazine during general conference. That month it was apple grins. We added a few chocolate chip cavities to our teeth just for fun :)

And how could we survive without 7-layer dip?!

We got some good reading off the crazy wind speed the night our tree blew over.

Cousin Caleb came to play the day Ella was at the hospital for her poor skin infections. The boys had fun playing and being silly.

We loved having Melissa here to play with and make mouse banana treats with.

The boys digging out all the weevils I found in a bag of flour. That was my first disgusting experience and I hope it is the last!

This summer Kimball learned how to tie his shoes all by himself. He was the proudest 4 year old ever! I am very impressed with his ability to just sit and work at one thing (without getting upset or frustrated) until he has mastered it. That attribute will be a great asset to him throughout life.

Beach Day with Melissa

Our oak trees in the backyard are the perfect climbing trees.

To celebrate Melissa being here we had a BBQ Friday night and then spent Saturday at the beach. It was so fun!

Crossing over to Port Aranssas on the ferry

It was so fun looking up and seeing a huge gull catching fish right in front of you

Joey was a great water transporter

Digging the big moat

Kimball entertained himself using his toy hammer he brought and pounding in the stakes for the beach umbrella

Joey's mile long boat track

Joey's incredible first attempt at wave surfing. He did way better than Dad and Uncle Joe.

Little Ella got tuckered out

Kimball had some great beach hair!

We ended the day visiting a candy shop Sally and Joe introduced us to. I told the boys they could pick out any 5 things they wanted. I was shocked when Peter kept loading up their bags. Our roles were momentarily reversed.