NEW Years with a NEW born...

This New Year's festivities were the classic "We're getting older and have 2 kids" variety.  No sparkly eye makeup, no new outfit, just comfy time with the ones I love.  It was perfect!  Tatem's still a bit unreliable in the evenings, so we knew we couldn't leave her with a sitter that long!  I didn't want it to be just another night though, so I did some serious idea stealing. :)

The first one I stole from my friend Bethany.  She, Dave and their little guy, Isaac, stopped by on their way home from this activity to rescue me from a broken water main in our front yard while Mark was on the men's retreat.  They were just glowing from their fun family day, and I tucked it away as an idea to do later.  If you live near Fort Worth, I bet you will too!

We took a 45 minute train ride through Trinity Park in downtown Fort Worth!

Our cute little train reminds me of the kind they usually have at the zoo. 

Landrie and her daddy:)

Precious Tatem went right to sleep in my arms.  This is such a dreamy stage of babyhood!

Halfway through the ride we stopped for 10-15 minutes, and Landrie and I went and ran in the leaves!

There were a ton of leaves!

She had a BALL!

Want to go too?  Check them out here.  Everyone loves a train ride!

The second one I stole from my other friend, Pinterest.  Perhaps you've met her?  If you have, you love her too. :)  She's the kind of friend that after I've spent time with her, I look up and can't believe how much time has flown by.  If you haven't, allow me to introduce you to her.  Click here. :)

My intention was to make bags of activities for every hour 5pm -midnight.  That didn't actually happen.  I was not to sure how my non-cheesy husband would like this, so I didn't plan a huge thing because I was worried it would flop.  He LOVED it!  We only ended up doing 3-4 bags, but they were fun.  :)

Here is one example of the Countdown Bags that I did.  Only mine were a bit more last minute and I just used a lunch sack.  I did write little poems for each hour though!  If you want cute ones, click here for her free printables.  This mom had cute ideas for her kids too. 

I just thought of easy things that would be specific to us.  

Most of the ideas were fun stuff to do together, but one hour I changed it up.  Mark had been off a lot and had mentioned how he couldn't watch all his recorded shows!  He likes this DEA show and some crime shows that are too much for the girls and me. :)  One hour went something like this:

This one's not his and hers towels,

But his and hers HOURS!

I know you'd like to watch your shows

And I need to give attention to my toes!

For the next 60 minutes, you will complete separate activities.

HIS

-Watch any show you want!

-Eat a sweet snack (I had a bag of gummy bears in there with sappy things written on it like "You are BEARy cute!"  "Life would be unBEARable without you!" etc.)

-Munch on some popcorn (Yup, microwave popcorn that he loves was in there too.  No notes, but that would be easy too.  "There's no one BUTTER than you!")

HERS

-bubble bath

-pedicure!

I also wanted to interview Landrie with something like this:

I thought we could keep them in with the Christmas decorations and do it each year!  Maybe I'll still do it. :)

Ice Painting would have been a big hit too.  Good thing Landrie can't read the blog yet!  She'll love it when we do it!  :)

On weekends we like to cook a big family breakfast.  New Year's Day was no exception!  Well, there was just one little twist!

How cute is she??  Lately she's been insisting on sitting in this big girl booster seat, and she always wants a plate or bowl and a fork or spoon.  She's getting so big!  

I hope y'all are having a very Happy New Year!