Recent Goings-On

During Thanksgiving break, we went to the Dallas Zoo on their dollar day. I brought our amazing babysitter, Cydney, with us. She is such a help keeping track of the children. The kids adore her and this picture turned out so cute. 

Daron and I celebrated our ninth anniversary on the 30th of last month. Daron had an idea for a new family tradition - a birthday cake for our family's birthday! We even sang "Happy Birthday" and the kids thought this was great!

Daron has been getting me a rose for each year of our marriage. This year for some reason, he ended up getting more. No complaints here! The bouquet is still beautiful and the card was very sweet. I needed the time with him - things have been so hectic lately!

We did sealings at the temple and then out to The Melting Pot - a fondue restaurant. Very good, but not to die for, food. It was a quiet atmosphere, though, and we talked and just enjoyed each other's company.

While I was getting ready for our date, Daron and the kids played with Tinkertoys. Esther and Nathan were very impressed with Daddy's handiwork. Esther called it a hotel and named it the V Tree Elephant Hotel.

Yesterday, Esther had her first dance performance. Her teacher invited all her ballet classes to perform at the local mall. Her class, made up of 5-7 year olds, danced to "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas" including a winding through the line with a rope! They didn't know the rest of the dance very well, but they sure got that part down!

Esther was soooo excited to wear makeup. She thought she was so pretty that she declared she'd wear it everyday. Sorry to disappoint you kid, but you'll have to wait until you're 16. She looks like such a pretty ballerina.

And the usual squashing the brother hug....

And little brother running around like a crazy kid before the show until he rammed into someone else. Then he sat quietly in my lap for awhile. 

As a side note, the carpet in this mall is newish. They installed it straight over the broken tile floor a couple of years ago. I think they were on a budget. Yikes, is it ugly!