Monday night we took the kids to the park until it became too dark. Then we went to Howie's favorite place to eat quick. (His birthday week has begun)

Jack was excited because Howie hoisted him into the tree that he ALWAYS wants me to help him get into, but always decline. Dads are the coolest! Even Julianne got a lift.

The Zoo with the Beckers

On Monday we went to the Zoo with my oldest and dearest friend, Fawn, and her two kids Kali and Kai. Our kids had a great time together. If you're reading this Fawn... I'm so grateful to have you in my life. I love that I ALWAYS laugh when I'm around you, and I'm glad our kids get a kick out of each other too. You're a very special person and I'm glad to call you my friend. Oh, and thanks for showing us a bunch of new spots at the Zoo that we've missed the thirty times we've been there! Jack has been talking about the Blue Fish, Velvet Ants, and River Fish since yesterday. Oh, and the Kettle Corn too! Now he knows what he has been missing. :)

Jack had just tripped over a goat and we all laughed SO hard.

Eating the Becker's Kettle Corn

Looking for Blue Fish (which Jack wants to look for again real soon)

She was all dried up, but they still had fun.

Grampy's Desert House

On Saturday night we stayed the night at my dad's house. My kids LOVE going out there, and we do too. Thanks for a fun time dad!

First things first: Feeding the birds.

When Julianne woke up she used Jack's new binoculars to watch the birds.

My favorite time is breakfast at my dad's. I love the coffee, and he makes great pancakes.

Christmas Day 2009

Christmas time is so much fun with kiddos! We were up at 6:30 to see that Santa had come. I wish I would have been awake enough to snap a picture of Jack's face when he saw the cookies had been eaten; it was priceless. They tore through their presents and we sang a happy birthday song to Jesus. It was a great morning.

After a trip to Grasshopper Park and naps we went to Uncle Jared and Aunt Missy's for a yummy meal and play time. We had a terrific Christmas.

Julianne was serving everyone hot coffee from her pot.

I loved seeing these beautiful girls together.

Christmas Eve

We started Christmas Eve off with a hike up North Mountain. I love the view at the top, and I enjoy hiking as a family. Jack complained half the way up, but we still managed to make it all the way.

Then we went to Chicken Pox Park (A.K.A. Buffalo Ridge) and enjoyed some time on their new equipment.

Julianne loves those tubes you talk into.

Later, we went to the Langs for dinner and family presents.

Time off

What do you do when you have time off together as a family?


Art Projects

Decorate cookies with friends

Bundle up with hot cocoa and see a great holiday light display

Have lunch and feed the birds at the park

Meet new friends at Howie's softball game

I love having time off as a family.

Zoolights

On Saturday night we went had a moment of insanity and took the kids to Zoolights. Luckily, we took two strollers as Howie and I thought we would walk fast and get some exercise. Boy were we wrong! The place reminded us of Disneyland, and for those of you who do not know, Howie and I can not stand crowds. We got there when it opened and it was wall to wall people. We decided to relax and go with it because the kids loved it. They kept asking about the animals, but you couldn't see them at all. When we left there were SO many people coming in. We were thrilled to be one of the few people leaving.

It looks like it was snowing in this picture, but let me remind you we live in Phoenix, Arizona and I have NO idea why it looks that way.
They had some great carolers, but the kids couldn't see them.

The best part was that Julianne rode an animal that goes up and down on the carousel! She LOVES to ride on carousels but ALWAYS wants to ride on the giraffes because they never go up and down. This time she picked the dolphin. I just missed Daddy giving her a congratulations kiss in this picture. She has been telling us she rode the dolphin for two days now.