Getting Into the Holiday Spirit!

Christmas Time!

This year we especially enjoyed the holidays.  Larkin was super excited about seeing Santa, giving gifts, and singing Christmas carols.  Brayden even joined in the holiday spirit.  He loved Santa (well only from a far), sang Jingle Bells, and ran around saying, "Santa says, Ho, Ho, Ho!" 

See he only likes Santa from a distance!

Larkin LOVED visiting with Santa!

This year we visited the Anthem Outlet Mall where they had the tallest real Christmas tree in the United States.  We couldn't get far enough away to get the whole tree in the picture!

Taking a little rest in Santa's sleigh!

Zoo Lights

One nice thing about living in Arizona is that you can still enjoy the outdoors even in the winter.  Each year the Phoenix Zoo puts on Zoo Lights, where you can roam through the zoo in the evenings and look at all of the wonderful Christmas light displays.  This year we had to take Uncle Mark and Aunt Mary since it was their first holiday season in Arizona.  Definitely different than the wintertime in Vermont!

 The decorated trees.

 Decorations over the water.

 Taking a spin on the carousel!

The night would not have been complete without a carousel ride!

Christmas Day!

This year our house was a bit busier for the holidays. We enjoyed having Uncle Mark and Aunt Mary stay with us for a bit this fall, while their new house was completed only a few miles away! We got to celebrate Thanksgiving with them at home. For Christmas, they got to move into their new home, but we spent most of the day with them and their wonderful kids and mom. We even had some house guests of our own! This year Shaun's dad and his wife spent Christmas with us in Arizona! We all enjoyed spending the holidays with a house full of family!

 Brayden excited to see his new race track!

 Daddy showing Larkin how her new Angry Bird talks. 

 Grampie helping the kids open their presents!

 Smiling by the Christmas tree!

 Check out our matching pjs!

 Our first introduction to Pez.  Wow!!!

 Helping Daddy open some presents.

 Grampie and Julie helping to open a few packages.

 Brayden was very focused on opening all those packages.

Giving Daddy a hand.

Uncle Mark and Aunt Mary's House

After some delicious cinnamon rolls, courtesy of Daddy, and a morning filled with gift giving and unwrapping we headed over to the Moreau's to celebrate with more family!

 Daddy and Bray relaxing on the couch!

 Round two of unwrapping presents!

 Look it's Dora!

Patrick and Rachel helping Larkin unwrap her super cool gift. 

A giant playhouse to color!

 Relaxing on the couch with one of her very favorite people, Justin!

 Story time with Rachel while Patrick took a little snooze.

 Larkin also enjoyed a little story time from Sarah and Justin.

Brayden's favorite spot at Uncle Mark and Aunt Mary's...

on the stairs with a cup full of Cheerios!

 Larkin sneaking into a family photo of the Moreau's and their new home!

 Back at our house, here is the new playhouse. 

Let the coloring begin!

The Fiesta Bowl Parade

This year we decided to check out the parade for the Fiesta Bowl.  It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed spending several hours watching the floats, bands, and balloons go by.

 Brayden made sure he had a good view!

 Larkin found Grampie to be a great seat!

 Playing around before Grampie and Julie headed back to Indiana.

Being silly!