We are a little behind

December 12th we finally got a Christmas tree.We had been busy and just never found a time to do it, but I decided we had to go get one that day (even though I was sick with sore throat and fever) or it would get to be Christmas and we would not even have a tree.William picked out the perfect one!

William helping carry it into the house;)

Gracie was pretty cute putting the ornaments on. She would just shove them into a branch until they stayed. Hands clasped in excitement. I don't have a good picture of the tree yet, but it really is beautiful and I really love having a real one. Next year I hope we get the time to drive up north a little and cut down one of our own.

I am a little behind on everything this year. Especially blogging, but I have to try and get some done before Christmas because things only look like they will pick up in January. All fun stuff, though, so I am really excited.

Christmas on Main St.

We went to walk down Main Street and the kids got to decorate some cookies and got a couple new books.They were most excited that they got candy canes and look Belle was even there.
And every now and then Santa would also come riding by in a vintage fire truck. Christmas is such a fun time of year to be a mom.

QC Parade

Last weekend we went out to Queen Creek to see the kids cousin Vaeh in a parade and help my brother and his family move into their house. Here are William Bryant and Gracie. My mom and I loved how Gracie has started following the bigger kids around trying to do what they do. Here is Vaeh. So good at concentrating on what she is supposed to be doing even with all of us yelling her name and waving at her. (She is the 3rd one in from the left on the bottom)William loved the marching band.

I know Gracie is the one your eyes are probably drawn to in this picture, but notice William - he sure loves the marching band drums.

After we went the park where they had lots of stuff to play on. William LOVED this slide.

Close up of the happy face. He loved this stuff so much that he didn't want to go into the little petting zoo where there was a baby COW! He looked at it from the outside of the fence and then ran back to the giant slide.Gracie (and Russ) sure loved the animals though. This cow loved Russ and Russ loved to scratch him. There is a small irrational part of me that thinks it would be fun for us to have a pet cow.Gracie got brave and would walk up and touch the animals. She was fine as long as they didn't turn their heads towards her.And look at this sweet little piggy.Russ sure had fun. And the highlight was Gracie got to ride a pony.

Then she promptly fell asleep in the stroller on the way back to the car. It was a lot of fun.

Zoo Time

We went to the zoo last Friday with our friends the Allens. It was pretty chilly. William didn't wear a jacket so I let him wear my sweater. After we got moving and as the day went on it wasn't so bad.

The elephants were really fun that day.

Gracie really got a kick out of him "dancing". It was so cute he would step side to side and his trunk would sway.

I didn't get pictures of any other animals but the kids did get to see a lot and had a fun time. Here is a picture where William ran ahead and then just sat squatting on the path until we got closer and then got up and ran again. I guess it was his way of resting. When we getting ready to go we came upon Santa's sleigh. The kids had just as much fun on this thing as they did anywhere else. They took turns being Santa or and elf.

And here is William being a reindeer. A jumping reindeer. Cracking their tinsel whips.

And Gracie wouldn't be Gracie if she didn't get really dirty. Here she is fulfilling her mission to get dirt everywhere.

It was very fun and as you can see below, very tiring.

Cute little dirty thing.

Remembering Miles

Last Wednesday the 2nd we went to the cemetery to celebrate/remember Miles birthday. One year ago he came into the world and left shortly after. It is heartbreaking to see the rows of small grave plots. I can not even imagine (and don't even want to try) what my brother and his wife have gone through this past year. But I can say I have been very impressed with them and now as they are preparing to welcome the next member of their family in June, I am so happy for them.

Here is Vaeh greeting Mark.Admiring her boots:) This little girl is always dressed better than me, even when she is in pajamas!

Gracie getting Connie

The kids holding on to their balloons waiting to send them off to their cousin in heaven.

Gracie was pretty excited about itWe sang happy birthday and let them off.There they go...Gracie was the last to let hers go and I wasn't sure she would or if she did I thought she would cry, but she just let it go and watched them float on up. So Miles, Happy Birthday! I am sure they last year has been busy and good for you. Keep close to your parents, they miss you so much. See you sometime again on the other side.

Daddy Dolittle

I know this post will gross a lot of people out but, oh well. Russ loves to catch birds and the kids love it too. After we got home from church one Sunday a pigeon was walking around our yard and would let Gracie follow is around. Eventually Russ caught it and brought it inside for me to see.Gracie loved it...sometimes. Like most animals she thinks she loves them and then if they look at her or something she gets nervous.William sure liked the bird, and I didn't touch him. And we all washed our hands afterwards.Letting him go. p.s. Russ looked less like a catholic priest in real life:)