New Years and Stuff

We got some Zoo passes from the library, so we decided to go on New Year's Eve. It was cold, like in the 30's, but it was a lot of fun. We bundled up and ran from building to building to keep warm.

It was all decorated for the holidays and for the Zoo Lights they do at night.

The kids and I have been to this zoo at least 5 times, but Ryan has never been. He was teasing me, because I kept saying, "We've never seen this part." Mostly the indoor reptile exhibits. I'm not a huge fan and in the summer I have no inclination to go in the stifling hot buildings.

We did end up seeing  lot of cool animals we haven't seen before, like this parrot that ducked as soon as I snapped the picture. We stayed for a few hours, then headed home to warm up.
Later that night we went to our friend's, the Deja's, for food, games, and fun. I didn't think we would make it to midnight and had told Ryan to plan on heading home at 9. But we did it. We payed for it the next day, however. It was our first morning back to 9am church. I didn't set an alarm, because our kids always get up between 6:30-7:30 no matter when they went to bed. This Sunday morning was different. Ryan nudged me and showed me the clock. 8:45!! We missed Sacrament meeting on the first Sunday of the year. Not the best way to start 2012! We have been doing better since, and we are excited for all of the new adventures this year will bring.

Here's just a random picture of Cole. Relaxing on the couch, eating an ice cream cone. Man, that's the life ;)

It has been a super warm winter so far. Two days ago we were outside playing, without jackets on. It was 53 degrees, sunny, and warm. Then yesterday, the first real snow hit us. Snow all day long and wind chill in the single digits. The kids wanted to go out and play. I'm not going out, so I let them play on the deck. They lasted about 20 minutes, and were ready to come in. We filled some bowls with snow and they played in the bathroom. They loved it! First thing this morning Hayden asked to do it agian. I see this being a popular winter activity at our house!

Christmas

Christmas morning started at our usual wake up time- 6:30. The kids were so excited! I was, too. I barely slept. We did stockings first. Then we had our traditional sticky bun breakfast, before opening the rest of the presents. Not Ryan's favorite tradition, but I like that it stretches out the present opening. Plus that's the way we always did it ;)

Santa brought just what the kids wanted, minus the sled for Hayden.

Hayden got lots of Barbies and Fancy Nancy. Cole got lots of train stuff and Buzz Lightyear.

Look at that excited face!

After all of the opening, it was time to get to work. Setting up the train tracks and getting everything out. The Barbies took FOREVER to get out of the packaging.

We were all spoiled! The most used presents since Christmas- the construction paper both of the kids got in their stockings.
It was a very low key, relaxing day. After the morning fun, we got ready and headed to church. I love having Christmas on Sunday. It made the day perfect and helped remind us that Jesus is the real reason we celebrate!

If we would have sent out a Christmas Card

 If we would have sent out a Christmas Card, it would have had some pictures like these. Notice our Elf, Waffle, hanging out in the tree. The kids couldn't bear to put down their new toys for all of the pictures.

 We took all of these pictures before church on Christmas Day. The kids are decked out in their Christmas church clothes.

I love this picture!

Our Christmas card would have also included this little yearly summary I wrote up for Ryan's family's annual Woodland Christmas letter.

Cole (28 months)- Still our little Cole baby (even though he's not so little anymore). Loves to sing and knows the words to a lot of songs. Tells a great knock knock joke (the same one every time). Very independent but also loves to cuddle and give kisses. Loves lightning McQueen and Thomas the train. Loves to play with other kids, especially his big sister. Usually very happy and energetic.

Hayden (4 years)- Loves having preschool 3 times a week at the real preschool. Loves doing projects of all kinds. Taking a tap/ballet class. Loves Sunbeams. Very social. Loves playing games. Great big sister. Has started unloading the dishwasher everyday. Loves to help (on her terms). Silly. Tells great stories, and loves to tell jokes, and to read. A lot of fun.

Carli- Pregnant with baby #3. Due June 21st. Busy growing a baby. Chasing kids. Trip to Hawaii with Ryan. Reading and crafting. Young Women's President. 

Ryan- Busy!! Still working hard at Motorola. Ward clerk and Gospel Doctrine teacher. Graduated with his Master's of Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. Looking forward to having some free time!

We're thankful for our Savior, Jesus Christ, and for this time to reflect more on His wonderful birth.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Love,

Ryan, Carli, Hayden, and Cole

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, we headed out for some fun. Hayden brought the Robot book along to read in the car.

Our first stop was the Jelly Belly Factory (really just a warehouse). It's pretty boring, but the kids like the train ride (for the first 3 minutes) and the free candy. Plus I wanted some Jelly Bellies!

Next we went to the mall. We went to Bass Pro Shop to get free pictures with Santa. I was so proud of Hayden. She was very nervous and didn't want to see Santa. But when it was our turn, she walked right up and told him she wanted a sled with a rope (ours don't have ropes to pull people) and a Barbie. Cole wasn't scared at all and asked for a Buzz Lightyear. Ryan wasn't too thrilled about getting his picture with Santa, but it was free so I made him.

While we were at the mall, we took the kids to the Christmas store to pick out their ornaments for the year. They fit them each perfectly!

Later that night, the kids sprinkled reindeer food on the deck.

While we were taking care of the reindeer food, the elves brought our new pajamas! Our elf, Waffle, had moved over to see us open our pajamas. The kids thought that was so funny!

Then it was off to bed so Santa could come.....

Winter Fun

We have gotten very very little snow here this year. I'm definitely not complaining, but the kids are very anxious to build snowmen. We've had a couple of days with just a little fall that melts an hour later. As soon as the kids see even the dusting of snow, they are ready to go. They put on their snow gear and are out on the deck. They have both been wearing their snow boots everyday for at least a month. I'm hoping for one day of good snow for them to play in, then I hope it doesn't snow again until next year!

We didn't do as many fun Christmasy projects as we would have liked to, but we did have a few friends over to decorate cookies. Always a good time and, of course, more frosting than cookies were eaten.

We went to our friend's house for a fun white elephant party. The kids decorated cookies, had a book exchange, and played their hearts out. Melissa and Rob got these great hats! We were all jealous ;)

One of the men in our ward set up a photo shoot at our ward Christmas party. Here's our familia.

On a side note, Ryan got a fun book at the library for the kids. It has lots of comic strip like pictures and a few words. Hayden loved it!! She spent hours making up her own story to go along with the pictures.

Cole loved being read to by Hayden!

We caught her several times throughout the day, just enthralled in the book. I'm so glad my kids love to read!