Break

One wonderful part about being a student is having definite end points to the madness of the semester, and especially the last part of the semester. Between writing papers, studying for exams, teaching, and grading, grading, grading, we were ready for a break. Of course, we spent the first week sick, and then it was Christmas, but after that we had about 2 weeks to get some things done around the house.

House Projects: My Dad and Austin fixed the front porch, which had some rotted wood caused by the poor water drainage design. Tracy painted the kitchen and the upstairs bathroom.

Since the only good thing about the kitchen floor is the cute baby sitting on it, it is about to be replaced. We finally decided on wood laminate, and bought it over break. We're waiting a little longer before installing it, so we (more likely Beckham) don't scratch it up before listing the house.

Fun: Tracy & Austin got to go on a date for the first time since July.

Tracy, Ainsleigh, and Austin went to a UNC Basketball game (Ripken doesn't like all the noise). Austin has been to several games this season, but this was the first one Tracy & Ainsleigh have made it to. Unfortunately, the Heels lost for the first time this season. So much for going to a good game!

Tracy finally got to read Inkdeath, which I highly recommend. Since it's the third book in the Inkheart trilogy, you've got some reading to do before you can start in on it! But it's one of my favorite books, and a fairly fast read, so don't let the 700 pages (times 3) scare you.

Also, finally saw WALL-E.

Playing on the playground. Gotta love mid-December in NC!

Ripken's first trip down the slide--he loved it!

I think this picture makes Ripken look a lot like how my brother, Tim, looked when he was little.

We even cooked dinner a few times! Staring longingly at the food in the oven. This boy is going to eat us out of house and home. At 7.5 months he started eating a full grilled cheese sandwich for dinner. What!? Where does he put it?

Back from a walk.

Poor Beckham, he can't even eat in peace.

Grandma: Tracy's mom came to visit for about a week. We went to the Museum of Life and Science. Train ride.

Butterfly house.

Working in the lab, doing an experiment about Vitamin C.

Ripken: If I can't be eating, what's the point of being awake?

More playground.

Our new favorite thing. My Mom got Ainsleigh this scratch-and-draw book of Thomas and Friends. No mess! How wonderful! And since Ainsleigh has been making some stray marks lately, it is well timed.