Maze

"The overhead view is of me in a maze.
And you see what I'm hunting a few steps away.
And I take a wrong turn and I'm on the wrong path.
And the people all watching enjoy a good laugh.

Inside me a voice was repeating this phrase:
"You've lost it, you'll never get out of this maze""
- Phish



For our last afternoon of 2007, we headed to the Fort Worth Stockyards. With my niece and nephew in town, it was the perfect time to check out the Cowtown Cattlepen Maze. The Cowtown Cattlepen Maze is a unique form of entertainment for the entire family, group, or class field trip! With over 5,400 square feet of frequently changed wooden pathways, resembling the cattle pens of the old west, the maze is always a challenge! Maze runners can compete against the clock and each other, attempting to locate check points throughout the maze in a given time.



Each person is given a time card that is stamped with your starting time. You then enter the maze and have to find the 4 stations (M-A-Z-E), punching your card at each, then search for the exit to stamp your card again. The average time of completion is 11-20 minutes. I watched from the observation deck as everyone ran around like mice. Even the youngest had fun!

Christmas Time

"Something about Christmas time.
Something about Christmas time.
That makes you wish it was Christmas everyday.
See the joy in the children's eyes.
The way that the old folks smile.
Says that Christmas will never go away."
- Bryan Adams






We have been celebrating Christmas now for over a week. Between school recitals, family visiting from out of town, and special dinners at many houses...Christmas is ongoing here! I hope everyone has enjoyed these days full of laughter, love, and happiness with family and friends.







And to think with the hustle and bustle of the holidays, Ms. Pink is already 1 month old. It seems the more kids you have, the faster the time flies! I need to learn to sit down and enjoy the seconds...maybe in 2008 ;)



Check out the boys last Christmas!

Toyland

"Toyland, toyland
little girl and boy land
when you dwell within it
you are ever happy there!

Childhood toyland
mystical merry toyland
once you pass it's borders
you can never return again!"
- Perry Como




Today was the 22nd Annual Big Texas Toy Run. Benefiting the Mental Health-Mental Retardation (MHMR) of Tarrant County, Dallas MetroCare, and other children's charities in the Metroplex, thousands of toys are distributed to underprivileged and challenged children. The unique way in which these toys are collected is what makes me smile.




Thousands (and I am not kidding, they were expecting 70,000 today) of motorcyclist meet up in downtown Grapevine, Dallas, and Fort Worth. At exactly 1:00 pm the Grapevine rally heads south down 360, Dallas west on I-30, and FW east on I-30 to eventually meet up in the middle at the Arlington Convention Center. Here the toys or cash is collected from each biker to add to the toy drive. We saw trikes, huge plush toys, gift wrapped boxes, and sporting goods all strapped to the back of the motorcycles. While most riders were wearing their leather to hide from the winter chill, some were showing their spirit with Santa outfits, reindeer horns, elf suits, and garland decked on the bikes.




This event is known to be "One of a Kind...This run is one of a kind, it has no official sponsorship from any source and is the only run known to begin in three cities simultaneously and converge in one place." And no matter the weather "This is a rain or shine event." In the past the riders have fought sleet, snow and freezing temperatures. Their thought is 'Santa does it, so we should too.'







We watched the southbound bikers from a bridge over 360. They all waved at our boys, who also wore their Santa hats.I'll be anxious to hear the true count of participants from today. We had a full 10 minutes of non-stop bikers pass under us at highway speed...and that was only a 1/3 of the gang!

Candy Man

"Who can take a sunrise,
sprinkle it with dew,
Cover it with choc'late and a miracle or two?
The Candy Man, oh the Candy Man can.
The Candy Man can 'cause he mixes it with love,
and makes the world taste good."
- Sammy Davis Jr.








And yet another fun 'Knuffin Around' tradition at our house, well at least for 2 years in a row now. Ever since I bought the kits, the boys have been begging me to let them decorate the houses. Since things have finally slowed down a little bit and being house bounded with yet another day of rain, it was decided today was the big day. I am unsure if more candy was consumed or put on their houses, but either way we are looking at a sugar-high night. We are not Betty Crocker or Martha Stewart here, but compared to last year we are definitely improving.

This Train

"This train is a clean train,
you know this train.
This train is a clean train,
I said this train.
This train is a clean train,
everybody’s riding in Jesus’ name.
Because this train is a clean train,
I said this train."
- Randy Travis



As Christmas quickly approaches, new traditions are made and old ones are celebrated. One of our favorite is to visit The Trains At North Park. There are more than 35 'O' gauge trains traveling on a magical journey across America, past a miniature Golden Gate Bridge, Mount Rushmore, and on past the Dallas skyline before taking in Times Square and Washington, D.C. The exhibit does not change much from year to year, but the boys do not seem to mind as they enjoy the display. All profits are donated to the children and families of the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas.

See our visit last year!

Birthday

"You say it's your birthday.
It's my birthday too, yeah.
They say it's you birthday.
We're gonna have a good time.
I'm glad it's your birthday.
Happy birthday to you.

Yes we're going to a party, party..."
-The Beatles



This weekend Big had his first 'real' birthday party, celebrating 4 years of a wonderful life! He chose to have his party at the local fire station. With 24 kids, 5 firemen, countless parents, 12 pizzas and 4 dozen cupcakes, the party was truly a success. Even though I started preparing for this party months ago, knowing life would be busy with the arrival of Little E, I still was not ready. But after a late night of baking, making party favors, and gathering decorations I still managed a good nights rest.


Unfortunately I was not able to mingle with most of the guests as I ran around from activity to activity, but everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. The kids all sported their fire hats and badges as they blew their fire truck whistles and completed their foam sticker fire truck craft. After 90 minutes of food and fun, the kids left on a sugar high while exhausted from the bounce house with Big Red and Hot Tamales as favors.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

"You better watch out.
You better not cry.
Better not pout.
I'm telling you why.
Santa Claus is coming to town.
He's making a list.
And checking it twice;
Gonna find out Who's naughty and nice.
Santa Claus is coming to town."
- Frank Sinatra





Every Saturday morning in our house is known as 'Pancake Saturday.' There is a little jingle we sing and we all sit down at the table for homemade pumpkin pancakes and bacon, a little tradition that started over a year ago in Helsinki. Many family and friends have even joined us a time or two for the meal and the recipe has been passed around.





This Saturday we were able to combine the beginning of the Christmas season with Pancake Saturday as we headed over to Fire Station #1 for their annual breakfast with Santa. After a early morning breakfast, Santa, Mrs. Claus, elves, Rudolph, and even Frosty arrived in the open field on 3 choppers. You can only imagine the excitement in all the children's faces as they exited the helicopters and greeted each one with candy. We did not stay around long enough to fight the crowd and sit on Santa's lap, as Little E was due for a feed. But she sure did great on her first BIG outing at only 6 days old!

Today's photos!