Arboretum, Phil's Ice House, and Graham Cracker Construction Co.

At the arboretum (shopping center), the kids climbed on the cow statues, hung out on the cool new patio, and fed the ducks, followed by story time at Barnes & Noble:

We listened to a story about Hannukah

Back at the ranch the kids built graham cracker houses, trains, sleds, etc.

Thinkery and Kerbey Lane Cafe

Tuesday we went to the Thinkery...

...And then Kerbey Lane Cafe for the queso. (Torchy's is better.)

San Antonio Trip

On Christmas after church, we went to San Antonio for a 24-hour getaway. 

The tree in Alamo Plaza.

The Riverwalk.

The tree in Main Street Plaza.

San Fernando Cathedral. (We saw the first 10 minutes of the light show, and then there were technical difficulties. Nor was really disappointed that she didn't get to see it through to the end. ;)

Our hotel!

At the Japanese Tea Gardens:

At Market Square. Nor says it's the biggest Mexican market in the U.S.

 Then we got Torchy's in San Marcos and played at Children's Park:

Fun outing! :)

Christmas Day

Santa found our new house!

Liz asked for walkie talkies. (Notice the dollar on the floor. The tooth fairy and Santa came in the same night!)

Heidi asked for a pogo stick.

Owen got tools, because he's always stealing Dad's.

William got a ride-on toy that makes farm sounds.

Yummy Christmas dinner!

Christmas Eve

For breakfast we had Christmas tree waffles (Nori and Travis's tradition).

Then we went to the fabulous Play for All Abilities Park.

For dinner we had all sorts of yummy food: fruit and veggie trays, pigs in a blanket, Li'l Smokies, cheese ball and crackers, and 7-layer dip and Texas-shaped chips.

Then we read from the scriptures and re-enacted the Nativity. Owen (the wiseman) didn't want to be in the pictures. Liz was Mary; Jimmy was Joseph; Heidi was an angel; and Reed was a shepherd.

6th Street, Texas Capitol, Mayfield Park

Today we explored 6th Street, Austin's entertainment district. First we stopped at Voodoo Donuts, where they have vegan donuts!

We shared 5 donuts: a vegan Sprinkle for Liz, Portland cream for Owen, the Loop for Nori's boys, the Old Dirty for Em and Nor, and the Bubble Delight for Heidi. We also got a Voodoo Doll to go for Dad. :)

Lizzie's first-ever donut!

The voodoo doll, lol! 

Next we stopped at the Driskill Hotel to see the Christmas tree in their fancy lobby:

Then we stopped at Brush Square. (The museums weren't open yet, so the kids just played in the park, i.e., threw acorns at each other.)

O. Henry Museum

Susana Dickinson Museum

Then we stopped at the Mexic-Arte Museum to see their nativity exhibit. (That didn't go so well; 6 kids and an art museum are a bad combo.)

Our favorite piece of art... Made from Lindor candy wrappers. (Just think, you can eat chocolate while you create art!)

Then we listened to a Tuba Christmas concert at the Capitol:

And finally, we stopped at Mayfield Park--until Owen had a meltdown and it was time to go home: