Cornelius Chronicles

 Another year has sped past at impossible speed and it is time for the annal holiday update again.  A friend recently pointed out to me that we are always going to be busy, so we might as well be busy doing things we enjoy.  I thought I would take this opportunity to share with you a few of the fun things we have been enjoying to keep us busy this past year. Dustin and the kids in front of a holiday flamingo at the Dickinson Festival of Lights this year.  Dustin:   Dustin recently finished his program for National Board Teaching Certification.  We are all very proud of him.  He completed the process and testing in half the time of most applicants, and passed with very high marks his first time through.  He has also been busy with teaching at the high school, mentoring two robotics teams, and teaching a robotics summer camp for the school district.  He has worked really hard this year to earn his Christmas break.  :) Audrey and the kids at anot

With temperatures in the upper 70s F, it has been hard for Dustin and I to wrap our heads around Christmas this year.  We keep wanting to get ready for the beach instead of wrap presents.  Don't worry, the kids aren't going to let us forget that Santa is on his way.  They have kept us moving at a steady pace toward December 25th. We've had a bit of everything to keep us busy the past few weeks, so here is just a sampling of our holiday fun.  :) Rebekah posing with her friend after the 1st Grade Holiday Musical Program.  All the first graders sang fun holiday songs for their friends and family in the school cafeteria on Thursday evening.  It was alot of fun for everyone.  Bekah did a great job and sang beautifully.  She loves a show! Xavier loves to hold his sweet baby sister, Maeve.  He is so gentle.  Uh oh, it looks like we found out what happens if you take the binky out! I know that looks like dirt on the sidewalk, but I can assure that it is in realit

Loyd's preschool went on their annual field trip to the Moody Gardens Aquarium in Galveston.  Their teacher generously extended an invitation to the parents and brothers and sister of the trooper kids to come along.  Bekah took the day off of school and we all went on our under sea adventure together!  Loyd with his preschool class and his preschool teachers.  Yea for Trooper School! Xavier, Loyd, and Rebekah with two of their friends ready to begin their exciting Aquarium adventure.  Rebekah was fearless about exploring all corners of the aquarium.  She really enjoyed the touch pool. She felt and analyzed every starfish, crab, and sea urchin she could lay a finger on in it.  She is my little naturalist.  She soaking in every once of information she could about under sea life while were were there.  I was impressed by her already large store of knowledge regarding the subject of marine animals.  I was asking her to tell me what the different kinds of fish were inste