San Antonio Rodeo

On Saturday Tim and Lori took us to the Rodeo and it was a blast! This will definitely have to become a family tradition every year:) Jed and his dad actually left early in the morning to hit the horse shows before the girls were even up! The long days were catching up to us:) Then we all went to the swine races and ate some fair food before we went into the Rodeo (the food was actually really greasy and not the greatest - but oh well, it's the experience that counts) Olivia was chosen as one of the "cheerleaders" during the pig races and then she and Lexi took their picture with a brand new baby pig. Livvy really wanted to take the pig home - I couldn't blame her - it was pretty cute:) After the Rodeo we walked around the fairgrounds, through the different vendors and then Livvy and Tim went on some carnival rides. We ended the day with a trip to "Chuy's" for dinner and it was so good:)
It was really sad to see Tim and Lori go! On our way to the airport we stopped by the Temple and took some pictures and then had lunch at Panera - yummy!! We are so blessed to have such wonderful parents and grandparents that give so much of themselves:) It was a much needed break from reality and the stress of every day life - so thank you Tim and Lori for everything:) We love you!

Olivia's 7th Birthday

We had so much fun for Olivia's 7th Birthday!! Tim and Lori came into town and we played non-stop for the whole weekend! On Thursday we drove to Fredricksburg and did a little window shopping and had a German lunch. Lori's father and step-mother served their mission there. It was a very quaint town with a lot of history. We even found a little shop named "Beulah's" (this was Lori's mothers name:) Then on Friday we had Olivia's birthday party and it was crazy fun! We were supposed to have it at the park, but the weather wasn't cooperating, so instead we had 11 kids in our house:) We played soccer in the garage, red rover, pin the tail on the donkey, musical plates, a guessing game and then ate pizza and cake! Olivia was so spoiled and received incredible gifts! Thank you so much to our wonderful family and friends!!

Cattle Drive & Parade

Jed thought that it would be really fun to take the girls downtown this morning and watch the Parade and the Texas Longhorn Cattle Drive that they have to kick-start the Rodeo! It was a definite success:) We arrived just in time, on a freezing San Antonio morning, but luckily we were prepared. First we got to see the Samba dancers, then the trick ropers, some other wagons and horses and then the longhorns! Olivia and Lexi really enjoyed it - Jed said that it made him miss his horses:( Now we can't wait to go to the Rodeo!!

Christmas Dresses

For Christmas this year, Olivia and Lexi received some really cute dresses from their grandmas!! Grandma Lori sent the cute red and black polk-a-dot dresses and Mimi got black and white ones (Olivia and Shaina were matching too). We are so lucky to have such fashionable grandmas that keep my girls so well dressed. Thank you and we love you:)

New Year's in San Diego

We were able to spend a whole week in San Diego with my family for New Year's!! My entire family was there and it was so much fun to see everyone:) It had been way too long since we had seen some of them! For New Year's Eve the adults went out to dinner and to the play, "It's A Wonderful Life." And then we went back home to put the kids to bed and celebrate. We were all pretty tired, but most of us managed to stay up until midnight:) While we were there we also managed to have our usual beach trip, filled with sand sledding and smores:) This has become a really fun tradition for the Romney family! My mom also held one of her famous tea parties with the grand-kids, while the adults went to see Avatar. Thank you Mimi for teaching our children such impeccable manners! Thanks Mimi and Papa for such a fun trip:)

A Texas Christmas

Christmas was a lot of fun this year! We spent Christmas Eve at a friends house for dinner and then came home and acted out the Christmas story (Lexi was a very uncooperative baby Jesus), opened our pj's from Mimi and Papa while they watched on the web cam and then sent the girls off to bed so that we could await Santa's arrival. Jed an I stayed up until 1am watching "It's A Wonderful Life!" I just love this show:) Christmas morning was very relaxing. We slept in until 8am and then opened our gifts while Grandpa Tim and Grandma Lori were watching through the web cam - thank goodness for modern technology:) Santa brought Olivia a razor scooter and a guitar and he brought Lexi a tree tent, and a rocking horse! Lexi was scared of most of her presents in the beginning and was completely content with the wrapping paper and bows! She has since discovered though that she is in love with Elmo:) I think we watch it almost every day! That afternoon we went to the Biorns house for an amazing BBQ brisket dinner - it was so yummy:) We actually spent Thanksgiving and Christmas with the Biorns this year! They have truley become part of our family - as so many of our friends here have:)

Gingerbread Houses

On another December night we went over to the Biorns house with some of our friends and decorated Graham cracker Gingerbread houses! Olivia decided that she was going to just decorate the front yard of her house - the actual house was in her imagination - it was definitely very unique:) And of course Jed had to show his artistic skills with his little Gingerbread house:) It was pretty cute! Later that night, we found the younger kids upstairs relaxing and watching "The Grinch" - it can't be Christmas without the Grinch - it's Olivia's favorite movie:)