For Fun

Yes, we had Christmas.  Yes, it was fantastic!  Yes, Gabe is suffering from a Christmas Hangover.  But since I don't have time to go into detail right now...enjoy our silly faces!  It is now almost impossible to get Gabe to take a normal picture. 

Hope everyone had a safe and blessed Christmas.  Much love to you all!

Festive, Fun, and FREEZING!

Tonight we bundled up and braved the 38 degree weather to take Gabe to Hogle Zoo to see Zoo Lights.  At Christmas time, Hogle Zoo goes all out by putting up thousands and thousands of lights.  We have never been before but now that Gabe is REALLY into Christmas this year, we figured we would give it a shot.

 What we didn't know is that Santa was making a special visit to the zoo tonight.  While we waited in line, Gabe wrote up a list of the things he would like for Christmas-the first thing on his list was candy.  We had a little bit of a wait because Santa was extra friendly and took the time to really talk to each kid.  It was very special.

 Gabe was overwhelmed by all the beautiful lights.  We had to keep reminding him to stay with us.  But of course, even with all the extra things to look at we have to stop at his favorite places too.

 I will admit that I kept getting a little distracted myself.  For example, I loved the peacock lights.  I think Ry and I need one for our house next year.

 And this is the bridge that goes between the Rocky Shores exhibit and the Asian Highlands exhibit...this picture does NOT do it justice because I thought it was breathtaking. 

 Even better was that Gabe like the bridge just as much as I did.

 And the night wouldn't have been complete without a ride on the carousel.

 Another shot of the lights that doesn't really convey how gorgeous the zoo looks.

 I think these two figures were Gabe's favorites: a giraffe and an elephant.

So despite the fact that my nose is still trying to defrost, Zoo Lights was a lot of fun.  If you can find the time to get up to the zoo, you should.  Just be sure to dress warm and pregame with some hot cocoa.  

Much love to you all!

Happy December

After we went to the Festival of Trees on Thursday, Gabe could hardly wait to get our Christmas tree set up.   Once we got it finished, Gabe turned off the lights and just sat in front of the tree and looked at it.  I love getting to see Christmas through Gabe's eyes.  I even don't mind having to pay a larger power bill for this month because he won't let us turn the tree off anymore.  Much love to you all!

Extra Spicy!

I think I just discovered what Gabe really wants for Christmas.

Much love to you all!

Festival of Trees 2012

Utah has a tradition called The Festival Trees and Ryan decided that it would be fun to take the kids on Thursday night.  I am not sure if other states have similar festivals but in Utah people decorate and donate Christmas trees, Christmas wreaths, quilts, and Christmas crafts.  Then the Festival sells them and all the money raised goes to benefit the Primary Children's Medical Center.  This year the festival had over 700 trees plus all the other stuff I mentioned.  It was really neat just to see all these amazing trees piled into one room.  Below is a picture of the kids standing in front of one of their favorite trees which was inspired by the movie "Despicable Me."

 What the kids were most excited for was the Kids Corner where there were all sorts of activities and crafts.  Sera could hardly wait for her turn on the bubble machine.  She kept popping the bubbles before I could get a picture of her actually in the bubble.

 Luckily, Gabe was a little more unsure of what to do and I was able to get a picture of him inside the bubble.

 The next thing we did was make sand necklaces.  Sera made a really neat rainbow pattern in her bottle.

 Gabe did mostly blue sand with a little yellow and red.   Once the bottles were filled with sand, a long ribbon was tied on it so they could wear them as necklaces.

 This is Sera trying to find the best prize possible at the Giving Tree.

 The one thing Gabe really wanted to do was to climb in this little phone booth and called the elves at the North Pole.  He was so excited that he got to talk to an elf.

 And of course, we had to stop and say hello to Santa.  Sera asked for a Furby and Gabe asked for stickers and candy.  Yes...stickers and candy. 

 And here is a big tree that was set up just outside the big room full of trees.  When Gabe first saw this tree his mouth fell open and he said, "Wow...I can't believe it."  

Even though my feet were sore after walking on concrete floors for 3 hours, it was a fun night.  I wish we could have spent more time looking at all the trees but I am glad that the kids had fun.  I cannot wait until next year!  Much love to you all!

Spicy!

I have had people ask if Gabe still likes Cholula Hot Sauce now that he is a little older...

Yes.  I am not kidding when I tell you that we have to keep the bottle hidden in the fridge so that Gabe cannot find it and drink it all.  Much love to you all!

He's Coming To Town In Style

Today we took the kids over to the Valley Fair Mall because Santa Claus was coming to town and arriving in a helicopter of all things.  Ryan and I thought it would be a fun way to kick off our holiday season with the kids.  It was really cold sitting on the curb waiting for Santa but it was worth it when we heard the sounds of the helicopter approaching.  

Everyone stood up and kids started screaming and clapping.  Gabe was just a little confused about why everyone was so excited.

 But then the Big Guy himself stepped out and he got the biggest grin on his face and yelled, "HI SANTA!"  Sera was laughing and clapping.  I will admit that, for some reason, I got a little choked up watching my kids light up with joy.  I love seeing their little faces so excited.

 Of course we had to go over and say hi!  Both kids ran towards Santa and I was worried that when Gabe got closer he would get nervous and start to cry like he has every other year.

 But instead he gave Santa a big hug.

 After we said hello to Santa, Ryan asked the helicopter pilot if we could take a picture next to the helicopter and he was nice and said yes.  He even asked if the kids wanted to see inside the helicopter where he sits to fly it.  And of course, they both said yes.

 So he opened it up and showed them both all the dials and buttons.  Gabe was fascinated and really wanted to start pushing things.  

 After that Ryan decided it would be a fun treat for the kids to pick out a cupcake at The Sweet Tooth Fairy.

Sera picked out the Double Fudge cupcake and Gabe got the Fairy Fetti cupcake.

 We then hurried home because they really wanted to eat them but I said they couldn't in the car.  It was TORTURE having to wait the 5 minute drive home.

It was such a fun way to start getting ready for Christmas.  I have always loved Christmas but now that I have kids, I love it for a whole new reason.  I love getting to experience Christmas through their eyes.  I love how innocent and amazed they are.  I love seeing them be excited for all wonderful things.
I hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving and are just as excited for the rest of the holidays as we are!  Much love to you all!

Time And Relative Dimension In Space

We have a family favorite T.V. show that both parents and kids adore at our house...Doctor Who.  I am not going to try and explain the Bristish television show on this blog because it would not even begin to make sense.  But I will say this, there is a space ship on the show called a TARDIS that is a blue Police Box that you would find in England...don't ask! 

For Halloween, Gabe dressed as The Doctor from Doctor Who.  He has a nightlight in his room that is shaped like a TARDIS.  And when we went F.Y.E. the other night, he saw this.

He about lost his mind! 

Sorry about the lack of blogging lately.  I have been in a slump.  I will try to be better during the holidays.  Much love to you all!

Mormon Pioneers Needed Pirate Ships

This weekend Ryan and I took the kids up to This is the Place Park for an event called "Little Haunts."  The park passes out candy and has all sorts of Halloween-themed activities for kids.  Our kids were just excited that they got to wear their costumes.  And I guess maybe I should explain their costumes.  Sera is Athena the Greek Goddess.  Gabe is The Doctor from a British T.V. show called Doctor Who.  Yes, my kids are geeks and I LOVE IT!

 Here they are posing for me even though they just wanted to run and collect all the candy they could.

Going on a pony ride.  Who doesn't love ponies?

 Weirdest thing we saw?  A pirate ship.  Because it is widely known that Mormon pioneers were also excellent pirates.

 I was panning for gold...didn't strike it rich.

And here is Gabe just hanging out.  

It was really a fun event and we were there for almost 3 hours.  Again we didn't give ourselves near enough time and didn't get to do everything that was there.  Next time we will know better. 

This week is the BIG night...HALLOWEEN!  

Gabe and Sera are both ready to go and cannot wait to trick-or-treat until they drop.

Much love to you all!

Fall Fun At Black Island Farms

 Ryan and I wanted to take the kids to a pick-your-own pumpkin patch this year and so I did some research and found Black Island Farms in Syracuse...yes Syracuse.  It was a blast!  We got way more than we bargained for at this place.  We were there for 3 hours and didn't get to do everything.  We could have easily spent another 2 to 3 hours if we had known and planned for it.  Even Ryan and I had a great time.  In fact, I had so much fun I think I pulled my hip muscle...oops!   Here are just a few of the many pics I took!

Gabe and Sera jumping in the Giant Inflatable Pumpkin.  It was really old and hard for them to stand in but I guess that made it more fun.  At one point Gabe lost his balance and rolled right out of the opening and onto the ground.  He then jumped up and dove back in for more.

Feeding the llamas some corn kernels.

Yes that is me going down what shall now be called the "Slide of This Was a Bad Idea"

MOO!

All aboard the choo choo train!

Hold crap!  That slide was fast!

Ryan was zooming!

Gabe loves slides.  He went down this one so many times that I quit counting.

The Rubber Duck Race Track

 

Go Gabe! Go!

 

Just waiting for the Pig Races to start.  Yes, I did say Pig Races.

 

My Little Pumpkins

Sera was excited to be able to pick her own pumpkin from the patch.

Ryan and Gabe on the hunt for the perfect pumpkin.

SUCCESS!

 

It was really a fantastic day at Black Island Farms.  If you haven't been, GO!  You will have a good time.  It is worth the 40 minute drive up north.  Just beware of the slides...

MUCH LOVE TO YOU ALL!  HAPPY FALL!