How the kids spent their evening

We let our kids jump on the couch.  We inherited our furniture and it just so happens that it has a little bounce when you land on it making it really great for sofa jumping.  They hurl themselves from the end table onto the couch.  Why not?  Doesn't it look like fun?!

PS- Don't worry Mags was laughing at the kids on the floor.  She thinks her siblings are pretty hilarious.

PSS- Sorry if our kids come to your house and want to jump on the furniture, I suppose that is the drawback.

A New Nephew!

My sister-in-law (Daniel's sister) had her second baby on the 10th. Weighing in at 8lbs 7oz, we are so happy that Austin David Bullock is here!!! Thanks to Lindsay for continuing to provide us with nephews cause we sure love 'em! (we love our nieces too, thanks to my sister for providing those!)

This is the only picture I have seen of Austin, but I think he looks a lot like his big brother, Spencer!

Look what Mags can do!

It's about time.

Pictoral Updates

Still laying low here at home mostly, but I took some cute pictures of the kids so I thought I would post them. Owen is doing great at preschool. He is a bit timid going in and doesn't like laying on his rest mat, but besides that, he is loving it! I continue to be nervous about it but I think I will feel better as he gets more and more used to it. I spent all of Thursday cleaning the house and it was wonderful to be able to do it while Elise and Owen were in preschool. It really is nice to have that time to get things done.

And a few goofy ones...

The weather has been AMAZING the past couple of days. Lots of walks and outside play as we enjoy this 80+ degree weather! Pictures of that to come. Kids are feeling healthy and happy and we are grateful for that!

Owen's First Day of School

Yesterday was a pretty emotional day for me. Owen started preschool yesterday. It isn't something I had to do, but he was always so disappointed when we dropped Ellie off and this really is a great opportunity for him to fly on his own (without his sister telling him what to do) and get to know other kids his age.

There was a bit of trepidation (mostly with wanting his picture taken) but he survived and since being home has had a positive reaction from it. They said he had a hard time during rest time but that wasn't really surprising since he doesn't like to nap at home either. It takes all kids some time to get used to a routine and Owen is no different. We are eager to see how he does in the next week or so to confirm that this was a good decision. If he hates it, we will take him out.
It was really hard leaving him and I was nervous about it all day. I asked Daniel several times if he thought Owen was alright. He did, but I was still nervous about it. I did use my nervous energy to bake a pie and some bread. Both items were made with ingredients I don't like so Daniel (who is trying to diet) is left to eat them both :).

Laying Low

It has been awhile since I have posted anything, but that is because we have been taking it easy around here and just coming down from all the excitement from Christmas. We have spent most our time at home and playing with new toys. Just now we are starting to get back into our routine again and inviting friends over, going places and getting back to life as usual. I haven't done any updates on the kids in awhile so I will update you with what is happening with them.

Maggie is getting bigger (thanks to baby food) and is eating like a champ. She still doesn't sit on her own yet, but she is awfully close. Mags has started to drag herself small distances but mostly gets around by rolling over and over. She also can stand by herself while holding onto something for a short time. Maggie still doesn't have any teeth (at almost 8 mos. old) but her hair is finally starting to get a little volume and length (thank goodness, I have been dying to stick a bow in it). She is happier than ever but sure does like to be held.... they all do.

Owen is a big boy these days and never ceases to surprise us with all of the words he is learning. He loves his sisters "Ese" and "Magowyn", just now starting to give Maggie a little attention. He had a rough holiday with being sick but now that he is over it, he is back to his normally happy, independent self. Owen enjoys reading in his bedroom, messing with the microwave and jumping off all pieces of furniture. His new love is banana bread.

Elise is always our little mother around the house. She takes care of her siblings with "love" and assumed authority. She is a very creative child and comes up with all sorts of fun things to do and stories to tell. When she talks she says things just like her mom does (it is often frightening to realize the similarities). Ellie enjoys cooking with mom, doing crafts all the time and playing with her friends. Elise loves fruit of all kinds and really likes broccoli.
These pictures are pretty funny... I am holding them up with my feet but if you turned them upside down it looks like I am stepping on them.
We continue to have lots of fun together as a family. The weather has been quite pleasant this week and we hope to take more advantage of it in the coming days by visiting the park. No big plans for us coming up except the return of my brother from his mission next week for which we will be visiting Houston for a weekend and then probably nothing else until March.

Sea World- Christmas Break

After getting Sea World season passes for Christmas, we just knew we would need to try them out before they closed for the year.  So, we went to San Antonio on Tuesday to go.  It was such a beautiful day!  It was cooler in the morning and then warmed up to the 70's.  Plus, Sea World was still decorated for Christmas all over the park and even had Christmas shows going on with the animals.  It was fantastic!

This picture is of the kids looking at the dolphins at Dolphin Cove.  This was definitely the favorite spot.  They can get so close to the dolphins.  We went back later in the day and Owen and I were standing by all the people who were feeding the dolphins.  There was one particular dolphin who really liked us (even though we didn't have food) and kept coming up really close to us, so Owen and I got to pet him (usually I am not so brave, but it was fun!).

CHUBS!

They loved riding all the kiddie rides... Dad especially :).

Ellie loves the tea cups (or paint buckets as they are here).

Owen always looked a little nauseous.

Maggie was SOOO well behaved.  Probably because she was being held 99% of the time.  Sea World has really good facilities for us nursing moms (to which I must have been the only one there that day since the rooms were always empty).  It definitely makes it easier bringing a baby to an amusement park.

Owen's first coaster ride!  About a quarter way through I heard him say, "WOOOW" and then he clutched the lap bar for dear life.

Ellie is a pro at this roller coaster and had lots of fun with dad!

We are excited for more Sea World adventures in 2009... we will be posting a lot about Sea World once they open again in March.  My apologies.

Favorite Gifts of 2008

We received so many wonderful gifts this Christmas. Here are some of our favorites:

A quilt made by my mom. I have been leaving not so subtle hints that I wanted one and she made me one this year. I love it! After rigorous quality control tests, I have deemed it nap worthy.

We also got a new GPS. Daniel is in love. He can't drive home from the store without it now.

I love this wood activity cart. Mostly because I got it for a great price, but also because the kids like it. Of course, the favorite thing is pushing it on the kitchen floor which is REALLY noisy. Oh well, opportunity cost.

My sister made these fantastic hooded towels for the kids. They LOVE them... plus they look pretty darn cute in them.

The gift we received this year that will keep on giving all through 2009 is our Sea World season passes. We are so excited about them and went to Sea World on Tuesday to use them.

(My goodness that guy has a lot of kids)

We are very lucky and received more than we probably deserved. Other favorite gifts are new earrings, a new watch, "Little People" for the kids, Maggie's entertainment table, Ellie's Leap Frog computer and more! Thank you family!

Christmas 2008 Quick Review

Christmas was awesome! We had so much fun spending time with our families including 3 great grandparents! The kids could have been better behaved but they were sick practically the whole time and it turns out that Owen had a double ear infection and strep! Yuck. We were lucky to make it actually. Nevertheless, this did not keep us down, we had fun anyway! Please forgive the pictures... I was kind of lame this trip and hardly took any... sometimes I am lazy like that.

Maggie looking cute... I love this expression on her face. She is so funny.

Running in to see what Santa brought them.

Owen with Mr. Potato Head glasses on.

Ellie helping Maggie open her presents.

Owen trying out his new digital camera.

Christmas at the Weber house... Grandma helping out Ellie and Maggie with presents.

Mom and Ellie in the midst of Christmas present mayhem!

Owen playing with his new Little People.

Maggie with a new toy.

Ellie's Christmas Concert

Ellie sang in a beautiful Christmas concert that was put on by her preschool. Here is a picture of her at the "after party" in her classroom. She enjoyed showing mom and dad and Owen all the toys that she gets to play with every day.