A December Day at the Zoo!

Over Christmas break we had a couple of beautiful days in Phoenix so we decided to head to the Phoenix Zoo and try out the new membership that Daddy got us for Christmas.  We had lots of fun checking out the animals and playing with our new camera.  We will definitely be visiting the zoo regularly now that the weather is nice and we have our Fridays free!

The Oryx

 

Resting Time 

 The Petting Zoo

Elephants

 Gorillas, Monkeys, and Others

The Cat Family

And of course... The Zebras

Our Christmas Celebration

Christmas season was so much fun this year!  Larkin really started getting into the spirit of things and was excited to decorate the tree, visit several Santa's around town, and read all about Santa, elves, and reindeer.  She couldn't wait to leave Santa some cookies, milk, and a few carrots for his reindeer.  Brayden enjoyed shaking packages, trying to eat some wrapping paper, and climbing the gifts!  Our holiday weekend was filled with movie watching, gingerbread house decorating, ornament making, and lots of time in the kitchen.  We enjoyed yummy homemade pizza on Christmas eve, Daddy's delicious cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning breakfast, and a tasty turkey dinner which left all of us ready for a nap!

Bradyen getting ready to open his first Christmas present!

Success!!!!

Showing off his Christmas pjs.

Here is our gingerbread house and holiday penguin.

Christmas morning playing with the new trucks.

Larkin getting ready to open a Barbie doll!

Larkin loved all the new games she got this year.

Even Hannah, our kitty, had to get in on the action.

Larkin helping her little brother open a hammer for his new workbench.

Brayden thought you were supposed to climb on the packages, not open them!

Everything tastes great when you are a baby!

Larkin with her new stroller, pack-n-play, activity mat, and crib for her babies. 

She loves to play Mommy!

Brayden enjoying playing with the presents.

Again... he really wanted to climb on those packages!

Opening the last of the presents and then it was off to play!

check out my smile!

Larkin showing off her stylish ways.

Watch out world!

Getting ready for bedtime.  What a long, but fun day.

And.....  Goodnight everyone. 

What a Merry Christmas!

Yo Gabba Gabba

Yo Gabba Gabba!

In December we caught our first children's performance.  We took Larkin and Brayden to see Yo Gabba Gabba Live!  Larkin absolutely loves this show on Nick Jr. and was so excited to see them on the stage right in front of her.  She was especially excited to see DJ Lance Rock in person.  Even Mommy and Daddy didn't mind the show too much.

 There is Toodee, Foofa, DJ Lance Rock, Muno, Brobee, and Plex.

 Don't worry Brayden only slept through half the show.  I guess when it is nap time, it is nap time!

 Larkin enjoyed all the smiley face balloons that fell from the sky during the show.

 Biz Markie showing off some of his skills!

 Daddy putting on a happy face!

Larkin dancing

November Fun and Thanksgiving!

November

Well the weather finally got a little cooler in November.  As you can see Larkin had to wear pants to play outside this month!  Even though the weather was warm and sunny we spent most of the month hunting down snow boots, coats, hats, mittens, and warm clothes.  Those can be tricky to find in Phoenix, but we were successful. By the end of the month we had all of our warm clothes packed up and were ready to head to Vermont for Thanksgiving!

Going for a little ride while Daddy did yard work.

Larkin is BIG into dressing up these days.  We have numerous wardrobe changes daily which is adorable, but slightly driving Mommy crazy!  Here she is sporting her high heels, tutu, fairy wings, and turkey hat.  Notice the cowboy hat in her hand just in case the turkey hat no longer matches.

Vermont!
We headed to Vermont the day before Thanksgiving arriving at the airport at 11 am.  Surprisingly, there was no wait at the ticket counter or at security and our plane left on time.  Our trip included a 5 hour non-stop flight which arrived about an hour early and two kids that were pretty much perfect on the plane!  They both slept most of the way.  Once we landed we still had to get our rental car and then continued on our journey with a 3 hour car ride to Milton, VT.  Poor Larkin was sick on the way so the car ride lasted even longer, but everyone survived.  We finally arrived at Uncle Mark and Aunt Mary's just before midnight.  It was a long trip, but totally worth it!  We spent one week in Vermont and got to catch up with all the Aunts, Uncles, and Gramp.  Even Shaun's sister, Tara, and her son, Garrett, from Missouri were there part of the time!  We all enjoyed having a real family holiday at Uncle Jeff and Aunt Paula's farm.

 Shaun and Tara showing a little sibling love!

 Brayden getting to know his 2nd cousin Liam.  They are only a few weeks apart in age.

 Larkin practicing her dance moves before Thanksgiving dinner.

 Larkin and Aunt Tara enjoying some milk and soda.

 Family Time!

 Larkin and Brayden with their Great Gramp.

 Larkin and her cousin Garrett enjoying some yummy colorful lollipops!

 Shaun and Tara hanging out at Gramp's new apartment.

 Brayden enjoyed getting to meet his Great Gramp for the first time!

Larkin and Justin playing around. 

Larkin's cousin quickly turned into her favorite playmate!

 Aunt Mary, Shaun, and Uncle Mark busy making breakfast. 

There was A LOT of cooking done while we were there and all of it was delicious!

 Check out those yummy pancakes!

What's That White Stuff?

We were so excited to actually see some snow while we were in Vermont!  This was the first time Larkin actually got to go out and play in some snow.  She had a blast!  Even Aunt Mary, who supposedly hates the snow, played around a little in it.  However, it was Uncle Mark who showed Larkin how to truly enjoy the snow.  We are not sure who had more fun!

 Uncle Mark taking Larkin around on the sled.

 Uncle Mark showing Larkin how to make snow angels.

Larkin looking up to her Uncle Mark. 

She had so much fun with him and we are pretty sure he had a good time playing around too!

Rolling around in the snow.

Rolling around a little more. 

They had to get good and covered before they could come back inside.

Coming back up the hill from a little sledding run.

Larkin enjoying the snow in her new pink boots.

More Family Fun!

Larkin and Sarah playing around before Justin's birthday celebration. 

Sarah was Larkin's other favorite playmate. 

Justin getting a little help blowing out his candles.

...And a little help opening his presents!

Brayden showing off  his standing skills.
When he is not crawling he has to be climbing on something!

Brayden and Aunt Mary posing for a picture.

Larkin chatting with her Aunt Mary and Aunt Paula.

A little play time with Aunt Paula.

Shaun and Brayden with Aunt Paula and Uncle Jeff!

Larkin getting her dance moves on with Aunt Mary and a little Lady Gaga. 
Don't worry Uncle Mark and Daddy joined in too!