Insect Zoo

For Martin Luther King Jr. day there were lots of service opportunities around town. Sam and I volunteered at the Insect Zoo to do some cleaning. Before we got started we were able to look at all the bugs they had. 

I think the glow-in-the-dark scorpions were my favorite. 

We even got to pet this tarantula! We were both really nervous!

Start off the new year in Texas

We took a road trip to Austin, Texas to visit Sam's aunt, uncle and cousins for New Years. 

Sam, Will and Ethan all have rocket shirts that Lauren made for them. 

What a handsome trio!

From board games and movies to a talent show and go-cart race it was packed full of activities!

Ross, Will and Sam were hard at work assembling their go-cart. 

Our go-cart's name was Rebel Scum from Star Wars. 

The girls decorated and painted. 

I  helped decorate The Wild Wonder. 

Then the go-cart race commenced down the driveway and down the hill. 

Rebel Scum had smoke bombs and fireworks attached to its back to slow down the competition. 

There were some collisions and injuries but I think everyone would agree that it was worth it. 

First Christmas

This is the first Christmas Sam and I have had together as a married couple. It was wonderful! 

Opening the gifts that Sam wrapped was almost as great as the gifts themselves. 

Sam's parents gave us this puzzle. Sam and I couldn't stop laughing. What a gift!

Merry Christmas!

'Tis the Season

One thing I love about the Christmas season is baking goodies and ding-dong-ditching them on people's doorsteps. This year I tried my hand at sugar cookies with royal icing. I think they turned out fairly well for my first time. Sam and I had fun decorating them but it's hard work!

Look at all those cookies!

 And here is the finished product. Yes, there are less cookies than what we started out with. 

What can I say? 

They were tasty.