Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Family Christmas

It's been a while since we've had a big family Christmas. Typically, it's been Dadda monkey, the two little monkeys, and I. However, this year we've been lucky to have my parents and sister join us. I'm so happy the monkeys got to experience a Christmas with extended family. It's been really busy and tiring trying to fit everything in. It's my sister's first time in San Antonio so we're trying to fit in all the sights and tourist attractions along with all the normal Christmas festivities.

Tonight we're looking forward to going to the Alamo, seeing the holiday lights at the Riverwalk, and having a nice dinner downtown. Tomorrow, my parents head back home and the day after that my sister will go home as well. I think everyone enjoyed having a big family Christmas again and I hope we can make it happen again.

Merry Christmas!

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Devine Acres Farm

This is the first year we've taken the monkeys to Breakfast with Santa. My parents used to do it for my sister and I and I was excited to have a chance to take our family. Devine Acres Farm was about 45 minutes from our house and was an easy drive. Upon pulling into the entrance, we immediately noticed the Christmas trees growing in the fields, some chickens and ducks in a pen near the parking lot, and a large expanse of other things to see and do.

We wandered around the area up near the barn where breakfast would be served and the monkeys enjoyed dressing up scarecrows, but their favorite activity was the duck races. They have old fashioned water pumps aiming onto rows of channels where you put your rubber ducky and race against a friend with their water pump. It was difficult to tear the monkeys away from that one. Next we had breakfast, we got our pancakes and picked a seat in the decorated barn. We sat near the stage so we could see the musicians and santa's sleigh. Santa's helpers served us orange juice and Mrs. Claus even came by to let us know she'd be reading the kids a story later. Santa arrived just as we were finishing up and they've obviously had some experience with this as it was handled really well. The line wasn't too long, but they had it set up so the parents could wait in line while the kids sat on the stage listening to Mrs. Claus read them a story. Then when it was approaching our turn, we could easily go retrieve our kids for their turn on Santa's lap. Santa was his normal jolly old self and handed the kids candy canes when they were done.


From there, we wandered further onto the farm and found the maze, a huge playground area, tetherball, sack races, a fishing hole, a fire to roast marshmallows, and more. We spent a good amount of time exploring the areas and even went for a hayride where we could see the Christmas trees growing. We've already decided it's worth going back next year so I highly encourage you to make your reservations and have breakfast with Santa at Devine Acres Farm.

 There were plenty of hand washing stations around the farm.

The first view of the farm from the parking lot.

Santa's helpers.

My monkeys transformed.