November 2012: More yard work and projects around the house were accomplished this month. We are so lucky that Aurora is a trooper and a great helper! The first snow came early in the month. Over Thanksgiving, we spent a week down in Texas catching up with family and close friends.

November 3, 2012: Aurora helped Jon sweep up the last of the leaves.



November 7, 2012: The first snow fall! It was just a few inches, but after coming home from school, Aurora could not wait to get outside to play. She also helped to sweep the snow off the porch steps.



November 9, 2012: A huge box with Aurora's name on it was waiting outside the front door when we got home that evening...what could it be?


It's a bright pink suitcase just for Aurora! She was so excited to have her own suitcase for our travels!



November 11, 2012: We took advantage of a warmer day to paint the porch railing that Jon fixed earlier in the year. Once again, Aurora was an eager assistant. She even wore the apron she decorated at her party back in June.


Video: I'm painting!



After painting the post, Aurora continued to help out. This time, she dug holes in the garden for the bulbs.


Video: I'm digging


November 15, 2012: After a science department dinner at Walnut Hill, Aurora (the Pied Piper of "tiao pi-ness") gets Andrew and William to climb a tree with her.



November 17, 2012: Aurora, I don't think we are in Boston anymore. In fact, we are at the Aquarium in Houston!


Jon touches a baby shark (doo-doo, doo doo doo)...and points out a horseshow crab to Aurora.

We also go check out the white tigers.


Video: Jon gets a back scratch

Outside, there are a few carnival type rides. Here is Aurora waiting for the shark train to arrive.


Enjoying the giant ferris wheel.


On the carousel. Twice.


We ate lunch there and then go back inside to see the white tigers again.


Outside, there was a spray fountain and a DJ playing dance music. Once she heard the music, we could not keep Aurora from dancing!


Video: Gangnam style 1



Video: Gangnam style 2



We finally managed to drag Aurora away from the music and headed to Weston's house.



November 18, 2012: Chris and Lisa hosted an early Thanksgiving dinner for Jon's relatives. Aurora got to know some more Milder kids.



November 19, 2012: Can you guess where we are? My monkey named Aurora meets another monkey with the same name!


There are lions in there!


Video: Roar!

and bears!


Over in Africa, Aurora and Weston tried out masks and drums.


Video: Drumming



On the carousel.


Video: Shake, shake, shake, Aurora!

Heading over to the giraffe feeding platform.


Aurora is not scared of feeding this twiga.


We take a train ride around Hermann Park.


That evening, we met up with one of Kathy's oldest friends. Jenn and Kathy have been good friends since 1978! Photos by Aurora.



November 20, 2012: Our last day in Houston. We get treated to a swim in the town pool.


Video: Swim, Aurora!

Video: Good job, Aurora!




November 21, 2012: We have arrived in Austin, TX. We head to the Children's Museum with Dee and her kids.


Video: Golf balls

Video: Spinning in circles



After lunch, we headed to an indoor play space. Lots of bouncers and other things to play with. It was hard to get Aurora out of there!


Video: Princess

Video: Free show!

Aurora takes good care of the "aminals" at the vet's office.


Video: Mushroom bounce 1

Video: Mushroom bounce 2

That evening, Aurora and Jon discover David's marble run.



November 22, 2012: It's a good day to go biking. Dee borrowed a bike from a neighbor and after "suiting up", the kids were ready! The dads took them to a neighborhood park to play while the moms got lunch ready.


Thanksgiving dinner and dessert.


Video: A turkey cupcake!

After lunch, the kids head back out to bike some more.

Video: Bikes




November 23, 2012: Everyone is so sad to leave Austin! Aurora had such an awesome week in Houston and Austin, that she passed right out once we got on the plane!



November 24, 2012: The next morning, we attended a Joanie Leeds concert at TCAN. Aurora was still quite tired and did not get into it as much as the previous time.



November 30, 2012: We got lucky snagging two or three different (free!) marble sets from a fellow Walnut Hill family. Aurora and Jon were in heaven that evening, sorting through the giant box of pieces and putting together marble runs.