going bonkers

my sister found the coolest place in the world. it is called going bonkers and it is right next door to vista ridge mall in lewisville. it is a little bit of a drive from us, but it was definitely worth it if you have a few hours to spend there. it is a huge indoor playground with seating right in the middle so the parents can sit and watch their kids run around. kristin saw it and invited brian and i to come hang out with them, since it is about in the middle of us (she lives in denton now). we were there for 3 hours, and the kids had the most fun at any place than i think they have ever had in their short little lives!! zach wouldn't even stop to eat! a physical therapist designed it, so it is good for their development, and the adults actually love it too. there were lots of parents climbing around up there, and there are swings and slides all hidden around. i didn't go, cuz i was hanging out with my pregnant sister, but you could tell by the laughter that fun was being had by everyone even the parents. anyways, i'm definitely going back someday. there is a cost: $2.50 for ages 1-2, $5 for ages 3-18, and adults get in for $1. there is food there, but i didn't see any signs that prohibited outdoor food, so next time i'll probably bring sandwiches. there is also an arcade up the stairs, and an adult "quiet" room, where you can go work in the wifi with your computer, and still see everything!

here they are after 2 hours of hard playing. when we get together, we usually have to break them up at certain points, but there were no fights, only fun!

good times!

here's my blue eyed beauty. christmas was a good day. we spent the early morning opening presents at home.

here are audrey and zach with the scooters that santa brought. they really love them, and they are perfect because the front has two wheels so they can balance. they now ride them all the time!

around 10 we made it to mom's house for breakfast. they brought their scooters to ride in the cul-de-sac. here's brian with my brothers: samuel, daniel, and trey!i think audrey and logan are having a discussion about whose turn it is to ride!zach played with kenzie a little. here he is actually sharing a toy! (he's actually getting pretty good at sharing!) audrey went into the sun room to read for a while.
later that night we went to cleburne to see brian's dad. audrey and cousins lauren and mary were intent on opening those presents!
sarah, lauren, and audrey eating in the kitchen.

audrey and grandpa in the sweater that he picked out for her all by himself! new years eve party girl!
blowing those horns!!
and i had to throw in a picture of their first bath all together!!!

santa at the gaylord

last night we went to see santa clause at the gaylord in grapevine. it was fun- the hotel is absolutely beautiful. we got there at just the right time, because there was no line. the santa was great, listening to audrey as she told him her list of wanted items. they included barbie the island princess, a snow white dress, and a tinkerbell dress. zach amazingly didn't cry! here she is talking to him. she was so excited to go see him, she forgot that she was going to sing the santa clause is coming to town song... its probably better since he didn't have that much time for each kid.
audrey and zach with molly chakery, the friends that we went with.
family picture! from the looks of this picture, you'd never know that i was mad at brian for buying a dirt bike with out my consent.
there was a large train set, and several small ones all around the lobby. it was very extravagant, and the kids loved watching the trains go all around! they also had a mrs. clause with real reindeer, but the line was too long, so we just peeked at the reindeer through the back.

My Montage 12/12/07

here is a little clip of some fun with zach and audrey. i am still trying to figure out how to just put it on my blog, but this will have to do for now. (audrea, do you have any suggestions?)

also, please check out this video i put on youtube. i got it yesterday morning when brian was watching the kids. it's priceless!!
http://www.youtube.com/user/carleighann

audrey turns four!!

audrey got a barbie "laptop" for her birthday. brian was like, "what are we teaching her?" she loves it even though it is a little advanced. but there are a few games she can play, and she loves just clicking the mouse and controlling the screen! (we got it at costco for only 37$, for those of you in need of a good gift for a little girl, age 5 or above!)

we took audrey to the parks mall for a carousel party. it was perfect. i didn't have to clean the house before and after, and the kids loved the carousel! i think that everyone had a great time! a big thanks to my brother trey for taking a bunch of candids... i didn't have time to do it. (not all of the kids are pictured here...sorry!)

audrey caught in the moment with cousins promise and lauren! zach cried at first, but granny calmed him down by riding a non- up and down sleigh. kenzie took a quick ride, too.
zach loves to play with his cousin logan! they are getting ready for cookie cake.
cousins logan and aubren, with aunt stacy
molly, daniel, zach and audrey riding the sleigh.

aunt karis and granny saved me by holding the baby all night!
everyone is singing happy birthday!
cousins kayla and sarah, with promise in the background.

traditions

hey, guys. this will be a short post, but i'm hoping that you all will leave a comment. now that the kids are getting older, i am wanting to start establishing some traditions for the holidays. i want the kids to remember the fun things that we did every year, but i'm having trouble thinking of creative or fun things. would you mind telling me what some of your favorite traditions were as a kid, and why? you can include food, games, decorations, or just anything that you loved to do each year as a family. thank you so much! and i hope that all of you have a very merry christmas season!

the dallas stars

can i just say how much i love my husband? i am constantly amazed at how perfect we are for each other. he is such a great husband, and a wonderful daddy. i don't think that anyone else could put up with me and my quirks in the patient way that he does. don't get me wrong. we have our differences. big ones sometimes. but in the long run, he is perfect for me and i am perfect for him. that said, we had a really fun date on friday night. brian worked his uncanny ability to find someone that knows someone that can get tickets for a lot cheaper... we got to go see the dallas stars, and we sat on the 7th row up from the ice. even though they got pummelled by the arizona coyotes, 5-0, we had a lot of fun. brian's best friend, marc morrow, and his girlfriend daniella, went with us, and we had a blast. here they are coming through the star as they introduced them. me and brian.... i love you baby!
marc, daniella, brian, carleigh
mike modano was right in front of us several times. you could see the facial expressions of the players as they body checked each other on the wall. it was great sitting so close (we were right by the goal).
us..... again