Hannah and her Violin

Hannah started violin lessons this month.  This is her tiny violin.  She wants to be able to accompany the ward choir--soon--so she's practicing like crazy! 

Enchanted Rock State Park

On MLK day, we took the kids to another state park to explore.  It's just a big, pink, granite rock that you can climb.  I can't imagine doing that hike in July--you'd fry like a bug on all that rock with no shade!

The view from the bottom.

Partway up--lots of boulders to climb over.

Looking up to the top--the granite is grippy, but it sure is a weird smooth place to climb.  I was worried that the kids would trip and then just roll right off the edge.

View of the hill country from the top.

Ellie, our GPS queen, looking for the cache.

It's a little over a mile to climb to the top and back.  The kids did great, and next time we'll also hike the 4-mile loop that goes around the bottom.  Look out for snakes!!!

Finally, the Christmas Wrap-Up

Since John was home for three weeks and we didn't travel for Christmas, we tried to do some fun things with the kids.

We invited a family from the ward for FHE.

We invited another family from the ward to come for dinner and make ornaments with us.

Snuggled with the visiting Aunt.  Awesome that she came for so long!

Waited patiently on the stairs Christmas morning

Had our first fire in the fireplace--yes, with real logs!

Did a little pogo-sticking

and skateboarding.

Snuggled with new blankets from Aunt Terrylyn.  It really does get cold here in Texas!

Went to Sea World with the San Antonio cousins

and rode the rollercoaster.

Here's a close-up

And met Martha, the Beluga whale, and her trainer, who is a friend of my cousin.  Martha spit on Ellie.

Our Christmas vacation was fabulous!  Wish it could be Christmas all year round.  Although, since I'm a girl who likes schedules and routine, it really probably wouldn't work for me.