Baumhover Babble

Monday, January 10, 2011

Shutter happy

I have a new camera, and it's safe to say I love it! Only one problem, I seem to be a little over zealous with my picture taking. I am way behind on posting about how we spent the holidays. The main reason, I have 204 photos to sort through and a slow computer. Yikes. So here is just ONE of them...

But can you blame me for taking so many? I mean, the first time skiing for a little girl is a pretty big deal.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Merry Christmas from the Baumhovers

Wishing you a joyous day with family and friends!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Wilton Gingerbread House gets an...

So it wasn't until I brought it home, opened it, and began pulling out the pieces that I realized I had bought this same gingerbread house last year... and at some point, decided it was ridiculous and I would never buy one again. Fool me twice. Rats. Unless you have very steady hands, an engineering degree, and no small impatient children, do not buy this house! Without going into too much detail about my near nervous breakdown, let's just say we (I) couldn't get the sides to stay up with the stellar icing provided. Plus, the cardboard base left no room for error. If you are one cm off, the other side won't fit. So, this is what was left of the "house."

I quickly regained my composure and told Aubrey I had a new plan. Luckily, she was just as happy decorating the pieces like cookies. Whew.

Perfection!

Let this serve as my reminder to never buy this kit again!

Ready for winter...

Aubrey has literally been saving her pennies for a year to go skiing. She's a regular snow bunny already...

Oh nellie, and then there is this one. Not quite the ski bum yet. Already in tears and there isn't even snow. Actually, he was just mad at me for some reason I've already forgotten and did not want his picture taken.

So you can see, we haven't made much progress from last year.

Wish us luck!

Aubrey's First Choir Performance

We had a very busy Sunday this week. We were honored to light the Advent wreath at church, and then at the next service, Aubrey's choir performed with all the other children's choirs. We are so blessed to have an amazing children's choir program at our church. They practice every week, and it shows. They did GREAT. I am still amazed at my dear friend Kathryn's (their director) ability to lead about 30 four and five year olds!!! Thanks for your hard work Kathryn. Aubrey loves singing more than ever!

Video coming soon...

Trimming the tree...

Actually, there was no trimming involved since it's a fake, but we still had a great time putting it together, stringing lights, and hanging the ornaments (so far, no broken ones)!

Thanksgiving 2010

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving here at home. Grandpa Roger was able to come, which made it extra special, but we definitely missed having Grandma here too. Brian was able to take most of the week off to spend with his dad. It was also a huge help having them around to entertain the kids while I cooked the thanksgiving feast. We are very thankful for family, friends, and our many blessings!

Waiting, not so patiently, for pie

Hook 'em Horns

Ok, well, let's just say the Texas Longhorns didn't have their best season. But we still love to watch them play. Our friends, The Joshis, had some extra tickets to the UT vs. Florida Atlantic game and asked if all of us would want to go. YES, we did. It was both Aubrey and Henry's first longhorn game, and they had a blast! Thankfully, it was a good game and Texas pulled off a win. Maybe we should have gone to all of the games.

Thanks Mukund and Sue

Thanksgiving Feast

Still catching up here....

A few photos of Squaw Busy Squiral at her pre-school thanksgiving feast

Five Years Old... and a little

Last photo of a 4 year old...

First photo of a FIVE year old!

Aubrey turned 5 in early November, but with the holiday Christmas card rush (all orders complete, hoorah), I really haven't had the time to properly devote to this momentous occasion until now. Aubrey was really just so excited about turning 5, more so than she has ever been about a birthday. Maybe because she knows she gets to start Kindergarten when she's five (still in denial about that one). Anyway, she woke up on her birthday to find a new bike in the kitchen (someone in the family ran over her old one with the car, and it wasn't me). Since her birthday was on a Tuesday, she was at school and got to wear a special birthday crown. I came during their lunch to surprise her with ice cream for the class. We had a nice celebration at home that night with her favorite dinner (Shrimp Enchiladas), a few more gifts, and a chocolate cake.

We decided to change things up a bit this year and not have a big party. She was more than thrilled with the alternative, which was a trip to Sea World! She got to bring one friend, and she chose Miss Alivia. So on the following Saturday, we dropped Henry off with Miss Alice (THANK YOU), loaded up the girls and headed to Sea World. We stopped for Aubrey's favorite lunch, Chik-fil-a and then made it to the park right after they opened at noon. The girls had an absolute blast. We watched every show and they rode the Shamu Express roller coaster at least 4 times. Each girl got to pick a sweet snack, and Aubrey chose her favorite, chocolate ice cream. Alivia went with cotton candy, which she happily shared with Aubrey. The weather could not have been more perfect and they were truly wiped out! A quick stop at Wendy's for dinner (I have heartburn just thinking about what we ate that day) and we headed home. I felt sure at least one of them would fall asleep, but they talked THE WHOLE WAY HOME. They pretended to ride the roller coaster and talked about the shows. Poor Alivia kept saying she was so tired, but Aubrey just wouldn't shut it down, so she never had a chance to sleep! Thank you Christy and Matt for entrusting us with sweet Alivia. Aubrey had an amazing birthday with her dear friend!

She LOVES riding her bike, we've tried without training wheels, but she's not quite ready.

Eating her requested lunch, mac and cheese!

She also got her first pets, two African Dwarf Frogs. She named them Tinkerbelle and Rosetta. The best part is you only have the clean the tank once a year and they are supposed to live 1-3 years. Well, poor Rosetta (R.I.P) only made it about a month. Aubrey was devastated. Luckily, the store where I bought them said they would replace her (thanks Learning Express).