The Stars at Night....

Maybe I will get the rest of our Christmas pictures up before Valentine's Day. Or maybe not. Who knows. But while I actually have some free time where I am not teaching preschool, driving a carpool, sitting at ballet, practicing piano, cooking dinner, changing diapers, teaching drama, or playing legos, I think I will actually spend a bit of time blogging.

Yay for cousins! We were so happy to see Sophie and Jameson. These four had an awesome time together. We all think this was the best they ever did on one of our family vacations. Of course, getting older helps a lot.

The DC branch of the family met us in Austin and we loved spending time with them as well. Naturally.

 It's all fun and games until the remote controlled fish make an appearance...

 .....and then it's just fun. Well, for me at least. Lainey wasn't so sure.

  And Madeline wasn't so sure about having to sit next to her aunt and Mom. I don't blame her. I blame the red hair. It can bring out the crazy in anybody.

We headed to Zilker Park one night to see the Christmas lights. I must say that it was not my son's finest moment. I think all of the excitement and craziness of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Orleans and a 14 hour road trip finally caught up with him. It is a lot for a 4 year old little guy. But boy, did it catch up with him. The tantrum thrown on the way to Zilker Park was one for the ages. Only his cousin Madeline could calm him down.

  But the rest of us had a great time. Have I mentioned that my nephew Max is like, the coolest ever?

The whole gang. Will is still clinging to Madeline. That boy needed a bed and his stuffed dog really badly that night.

 We took a really fun day trip to San Antonio. Here we are at the San Jose mission.

We also went to the Riverwalk and rode the boats that I remember riding when I was about Bennett's age. I don't know if she will remember it or not, but riding these boats is one my earliest memories, so who knows?

Looks like a picture from a magazine catalog. Except for the guys in the back. They make it slightly creepy. But nonetheless, it's a cool pic.

The adults actually got to go out for a night on the town. And our awesome friend Maggie joined us. She is technically one of Frank and Stacy's best friends, but the rest of us like to think she is our best friend too. She is definitely a part of our family and we were so happy to see her.

Uncle Frank teaching Madeline how to two step.

The sister-in-laws.

Finding an activity kids from 1-18 can enjoy is kind of hard, but you can't go wrong with bowling.

Webster/Marshall tradition- Mexican train dominoes. We do a lot of fun things when we all get together but sitting around the table at night playing this game is probably my favorite thing that we do. You never know what you are going to hear during game night.

 And just a few random shots. Here are the seven 1st cousins all together. What a great group of kids.

 Dancing in San Antonio to a street band playing "Sweet Home Alabama."  Of course.

Drove past the Alamo. I remember.

Lainey bug with her beautiful Aunt Laura.

Somebody isn't quite used to being serenaded. That's a shame because I don't know of anyone who deserves it more. 2104 resolution: serenade my baby at every meal. But only while wearing a polka dot bow tie.

 Just swinging the day away.

 Naturally.

I think they are all obeying the command quite naturally.

What do you mean we have another 14 hour drive home?

 We had such a great time spending the few days after Christmas catching up with our family. I really love all of these peeps. I married into an absolutely wonderful family and I am so grateful for all of them. My only regret is that we all live so far from each other. 

Happy 2014!!!