Getting to Italy

Planning to go to Italy kept getting pushed to the back burner until about a week before we were to leave.  I did a bunch of research, but still didn't book much because the flight to Venice looked full so we might end up in Rome first instead.  Stand-by is great to make your own itinerary, but difficult to plan ahead.  

Getting the girls up to Utah to stay with family is all part of the trip.  Flying standby makes this little part of traveling tricky.  Last minute, a flight was open late at night.   I had to leave after a lacrosse game and a performance at Jackson's school.  Luckily, I was all packed up for the girls, I just had to grab an overnight bag for me (and even got time to shower!).  The flight went great (both girls slept). In Utah, I made breakfast and enjoyed a few last moments with my girls before saying goodbye and heading back to Texas.  I liked that I had time to give instructions and tips to my parents before leaving.  The girls are in a really independent and happy place where they don't need much to care for.  They are a pleasure to be around so I didn't have too much anxiety leaving them in the good hands of my parents and in-laws. 

 I had another lacrosse game once I touched down in Texas and then we made our final preparations (or our first packing as the case may be).  Jackson slept well and we all woke up early 9 (on purpose) and started on the way to the airport.  Jackson was SO full of energy and questions and excitement.  Dave and I were a bit stressed and anxious about the flights and upcoming international travel and his questions were exhausting, but we didn't want to ruin his excitement.  On the flight to Philadelphia, Jackson read his Italy guide book and did some homework.  He did all 4 hours with no screens!  He was excited.  

On our long layover, I was going to take Jackson into Philadelphia to show him the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, but when we landed it was a blizzard and only 30 degrees.  With a light jacket there was no way to get into the city, so we had 6 hours to kill in the airport.   

  

Dave got us into the club so we could eat food and have a calm place to hang out.  Jackson and I went to the play place for a long time.  We facetimed with the girls and Jackson was missing them so much.

 We had plenty of seats and the plane had screens on the back of every seat, so Jackson got to play new games and we watched a movie or 2.  We had dinner on the flight and then we laid Jackson on the floor around 7 our time.  He was wired and couldn't get to sleep.  We finally gave him melatonin (recommended by our dr.) and he fell asleep within 30 mins.  He slept the ENTIRE flight!  So thankful my kids are great sleepers.  Dave and I took turns laying on 2 seats and sleeping sitting up.  It was uncomfortable, but I did sleep a little.

 When we got  ready to land, we picked Jackson up off the floor and he groggily rubbed his eyes, stretched and then gave the cutest grin and said, "I'm in ITALY!!!"  He was so thrilled.  It was a moment I was so glad to be experiencing this with him.


      Getting there  Day 1 Venice   Day 2 Italian Alps Day 3 Cinque Terre  Day 4 Florence  Day 5 Rome  Day 6 Vatican

November and Thanksgiving

I was thinking through our menu for Thanksgiving and realized that my kids would like almost NOTHING we were making.  I wanted to have a meal that they actually liked so we threw a 'Fakes'giving party at the park.  All our friends brought their favorite foods and it was a perfect time to eat and play.  It was a bit chilly, but most of the kids didn't mind. 

We made some party favors in anticipation of our family coming to town. 

 

I even made my first pie crust.  I was put to shame, when Jackson mentioned he had made two with daddy after I said it was my first time making a crust. 

Lori and Jim's family came from Houston bearing gifts (coloring umbrellas) that the girls just loved.   It is so nice to have cousins and family around.  Especially at our house.  I love hosting and just wish more people would come visit us. 

Dave cooking pies and relish with mom.

Grandpa reading and showing videos to the kids.  He knows the way to their heart. 

Playing four square in gorgeous outside weather. 

The dishes... green beans, mashed potatoes, turkey, cranberry relish, stuffing, sweet potato crunch, rolls, soup and vegi dish.

2 tables for 6 adults and 7 kids.  So happy that mom and Dad Harper and the Cole family could join us.

Halloween fun

Family night Flour cutting game.  We use to play this all the time in my family, but it was our first go of it.  Fun times.  Until the platter broke as I was carrying the flour to the sink to clean up. . . Flour everywhere!

A friend in our ward threw a murder mystery party and Dave was the main man, the Presidential nominee.  It was a fun night to be someone else and get to know people better. 

Hallie was a unicorn this year.

Hallie's preschool was at my house this month and we did a performance of Halloween songs at the end of the month. 

Dave's work always has an amazing halloween trick or treating route.  We enjoyed traveling through the 'world' and seeing all the costumes and decorations that went with each location.  A travel company is perfect for that theme. 
Daniel Tiger, Unicorn and Fighter Pilot

After trick or treating we made a candy bar graph.  A little much?

Happy Halloween!

Daddy is the best at carving with the kids.  This is a tradition I can never get into, we paint, glitter and decorate pumpkins, but carving?  Daddy does that!

Love my Daniel Tiger tigger

Ninja Jack

Girls at the gym after swim lessons. Our Hallowen Party was cancelled due to heavy rains, so we were sad. but we did get to swim with the leftover pumpkins at a Halloween swim party.

The pumpkin patch in Flower Mound. 

Hallie enjoyed the dress up box during the Halloween month.

We trick or treated with our neighborhood friends. 

Fall Fun 2015

 Play group at Paradise pond playplace

 This is Mariah most of the day... playing babies and carrying all around the house.

Playing at the Parr Park.  Mariah just wants to keep up with Hallie, thus the dangerous climbing begins!

 After school treats with Jacksons friends followed by a trip to the park.

 I got a weekend away with my friend listening to great talks and feeling inspired

The kids got new 'school' books and will get in moods to work and work.

Hallie and Jackson played soccer in the fall.  They both made huge progress!  So proud of them!  Hallie was a fast runner and scored many goals.

 I taught Hallie's preschool in October.  We had orange Julius, but Hallie couldn't remember the name so we now call it Orange GLORIOUS.  It really is good.

Daddy being the great dad that he is.  Loving on the girls!

Jackson ran in his run-a-thon.  He is making better friends and the school and it is nice to know the traditions they do there.

 The girls like afternoon tv time and watch Strawberry shortcake and Daniel Tiger.

Hallie took a gymnastics class (after 2 sessions of swimming) and learned new moves on the floor, beam and bars. 

Just laying around (while mommy pushes!)

Getting some Thai food with friends

 Mariah at the daycare at the gym.  She loves going and colors at least 5 pictures everytime.

We go to the library at least weekly.  Sometime more for special events, like this one.  They opened the Maker spot to kids and had activites for each of them.  Hallie was an engineer who followed a book to build a dunk tank.