There's No Place Like Home...

As Hal and I were brainstorming fun things to do while we were all together for Christmas, we came up with a doozy. 

The 1st Annual Michael Jackson "King of Christmas" Dance-Off

I know, the title might be a little excessive, but whatever. Go big or go home. 

We drew up a bracket and organized it according to raw dance ability. Hal and Mom went into the competition as #1 and #2. We played the best out of three dances advanced. Each contender chose their own song, and then a third song was chosen at random if needed. The Lyman women made it to the final four and Hal and Tal battled it out for the championship.

My Papi obviously won the "Best Dressed" award. He received a coupon for a free moonwalking lesson from Devon LaMay .... expires 12/31/2012. That's a subtle suggestion to bring the family out to DC.

"Gimme an MJ kick!"  -Me

Is that a move from "Ghosts" Papi?

Tal trying to swipe Hal's legs before the dance started. Each round got more serious. Not for the faint of heart.

I mean look at those faces!

So Tal won in a VERY CLOSE championship game. It was almost down to the last move, but she pulled it off. Way to go ladies. I'm so proud.

After Christmas my parents took us on a family trip to San Antonio. It was amazing. None of us had ever been there. The weather was beautiful, the company was entertaining, and the tex-mex was delicioso.

We visited the Japanese Tea Garden

They had some weird looking fish.

Morg gave us all a short lesson in lillypads and their function. Only he would know.

Mowgli doing what he does.

We rented some bikes to ride around downtown. It was really fun. All we would have had to do was sing and we could have been the Von Trap family.

HAL LOVES PICTURES. Haha 

Remember the Alamo. And we immediately watched the movie when we got home.

He was mesmerized by all the pretty buildings ... and LaToya was a captivating tour guide. 

The Riverwalk is BEAUTIFUL. 

That's a tree ... growing out of a stone wall.

COMO LA FLOOOOOOR! They are so cute.

You can literally eat right by the edge of the water. So don't bring small children here. LaToya said that an average of 14 drunk people fall into the river each week.

They were still lit up from Christmas, which obviously enhanced the experience.

 

We went to Josephs, the best bakery in San Antonio. Where everybody knows your name, and you're always glad you came...

I'm not sure how many people know this, but my mom REALLY wanted Riley's name to be Reggie. But my dad said that he wasn't dark enough.

Morgan slipped and fell at the pool (because he was running). Don't worry, it's just a bruise that quickly went away.

Don't I have the most adorable brothers? You couldn't put Grant in there, you would be overwhelmed with cuteness.

This was the NYE afterparty. I had to put this on here to showcase Talia's dance move at 13 seconds.