Happy New Year from the Hughes Family

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD.

"Plans to prosper you and not to harm you.

Plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11-12

Wishing you a wonderful 2012

Nora Nora Bo Bora

She runs, she jumps, she is a happy little girl. She has opinions on everything. She has a pretty serious competitive streak. She never rides her three wheeled scooter because she only wants to ride her brothers'. She sings, she dances (constantly), she cartewheels and donkey kicks all over the house. She cares for multiple babydolls and stuffed animals. She recently got over walking pneumonia and we never really thought she was sick.

She makes us laugh and says "Sank you" with a smile.

Christmas Laugh

One of the items Ian had wanted for Christmas was a remote control car.
He asked last minute of course and we were just going to let things fall as they may, but he opened his present from Uncle Harvey and Aunt Cindy to find just what he wanted.

Garrett watching him said, "Ian, you are supposed to say 'fish, fish, got my wish.'"

Christmas Zoo Trip 2011

We kept up our tradition of a Christmas Eve Zoo trip this year despite the 40deg, rainy weather and it was worth it - the zoo to ourselves. We spent a lot of time in the snake house because the snakes were really active and it was fun to see them slithering all over. We also got a private hippo show from the trainers. They train the hippos to respond to different shapes and colors so the keepers and vets can see parts of their bodies we normally can't and the hippos wouldn't normally want to show. We enjoyed the family day in the midst of a busy BAR season and finished off the evening at a new Vietnamese restaurant. Sadly our original favorite, Pho San Antonio, is now under new management and just isn't the same for us. Hopefully we will find another favorite soon.

Garrett visits the ER

Well our streak is over. Not taking anyone to the emergency room in our full 8+ years of parenting was an accomplishment in our book - especially with our boys. Don't get me wrong, Ian has had some pretty good bumps - even one that left a scar, but didn't require stitches. Garrett however wins the prize for bringing us our first ER experience.

After making a headlong crash into the corner of our brick house we knew we needed to go. Driving there he was sitting in my lap and I asked him if he was dizzy or having trouble seeing. He said no to those, but told me "there was a fireball in his head messing up the pictures in his mind." He had a pretty good headache for the next few days.

At the hospital he was a super trooper. He was tough and managed all the exams, cleaning, and numbing like a pro. The doctors and nurses were really nice and it wasn't a marathon visit either.

Thankfully Chris was home.

I always figured it would be complete mayhem with me trying to get three kids, one injured, to the ER by myself. Nora and Ian were great while we were there. Ian was really cute answering all of the doctor's questions for us and he was really worried about his brother.

The funniest part was the next morning when the boys inspected the accident site and found a brick missing a chunk and decided that was where Garrett must have hit.

He was a model patient and I can only hope Ian and Nora are as tough if the time comes.

Way to go Super G!

Boys and Boggle

My parents sent us Boggle this fall. Garrett took to it immediately and has spent a lot of time playing it with pen and paper as well as just messing with the letter blocks.

The other night as we were cleaning up, Chris came upon this word solo on the Boggle board.

When Garrett saw the picture he fessed up with a smile and laugh.

Uncle Harvey Visit

Uncle Harvey came to visit tonight.
We had a great dinner and decided to do our Christmas tree earlier than usual this year. The kids had a great time entertaining everyone with ornaments and our tree looks great from about the floor to 4 feet up.
Ian gave everyone some brain teasers to work on throughout the evening and Grandpa and Uncle Harvey were pretty quick on them.