Zoo Lights

Every year we go to Zoo Lights and since I am a sucker for Christmas Lights I absolutely love it. Doug and I also drive around to look at the lights around the valley because I love them! This year the little boys were really into the lights. I find it so adorable to hear Jacob say "Oh WOW!" when he sees them. It's also nice because it has turned into a big Family tradition. We go with Ang, Cody and their boys, the Armstrongs, Nan, Randy & Sally and Travis. This year Doug's parents were unable to go with us, but we hope they can join again next year.

Watching the carousel

Nan & Luke

Aidan & Daddy

Ang and I

Lori, Les & Luke entertaining Jacob

Aidan & PopPop

Now that's how you walk around the zoo!

Doug and I

Christmas Day

For Doug and I Christmas Day is a big one filled with lots of family and fun. We start out at his parents house for a delicious breakfast and presents. Its probably the most relaxing part of our day (since Rosco is the only "kid" there).

Rosco gets a yummy treat

Doug learns how to play guitar

Next we go over to my parents house for more food and presents. We meet Ang, Cody, Jacob & Aidan there. And do things over - more presents and fun times. This gets a little more crazy with the little boys. I love the craziness - its so great to see the boys excited about opening gifts and playing with their new toys.

Thomas'

Jacob loves his Bob Toys

Attack of the lizards

The boys loved their Big Wheels from Grammie and PopPop

The Bird Watcher - must have gotten that from Mom

Next we had my Mom's side over for more food and presents. I guess we ate a lot over the day. It was a great time with The Armstrong Clan, Nan, Thomas' and my parents. I love having all the family together. I think everyone had a wonderful time. This was less relaxing - we had a bunch of family over with everyone opening gifts and Rosco running around trying to be involved in everything.

Aidan rides his new Dump Truck

Andrea & Luke

Rosco gets a new toy! Thanks Lori & Les!

To end our day we went over to Doug's Aunt/Uncles house. We had a fun time playing Nerf guns with the Terry kids. What a way to end our Christmas day - go out with a bang. Unfortunately I don't have pictures from the Terry house.

I found a cute Santa suit for Rosco - we tried it on and he's just too broad. Every time he sat down the velcro came apart. So I took pictures of him in it before I took it back. I can't believe it - a Large size shirt is still too small. He's a special pup :-)

Decorating the Christmas Tree

Every year we go to my parents house to decorate the tree. Each year has its laughs, especially with the little boys around :-) Jacob & Aidan had a great time decorating the tree - it's so awesome to see them getting into the Christmas spirit. I love family traditions!

Congratulations!

This past week Doug past his last Physics course! Physics is a tough degree - he is now just about done. We are all so proud of him. He's been working hard and desereves his degree!

Congratulations Doug!

Thanksgiving Weekend

We had a fabulous Thanksgiving weekend. Doug was able to have a four day weekend, which doesn't happen often - well really never happens. We started our wonderful four days off with the annual Poker Game at my cousins house. Last year Doug spilt the pot with one of our friends and this year he won the whole pot! It was a lot of fun. It turned out to be Luke's birthday as well. We went out to celebrate it - it was a late night.

The next day was Thanksgiving. I love thanksgiving - its always a wonderful day being with family. So relaxing and always a lot of fun. We played some football, ate a lot, and walked up to Pima and played frizbee.

Since Doug finally had a weekend off we took advantage of it and took a short road trip. We took Rosco and drove up to Jerome and Prescott. The day was beautiful. I love looking at old towns so what better place to go - Jerome. Rosco does great on the road so it is very easy to take him anywhere. He loved seeing Jerome and Prescott.

Downtown Phnx

We made a morning taking photos of Downtown Phoenix. I am not a fan of taking pictures of buildings so I took my own route. This was one of our photo assignment. Here are my top three photos I shared with my class.

Happy Happy Halloween

I love Halloween - the weather gets nice, family gets together and you see many crazy & cute costumes. Carving pumpkins is a family tradition - we get together with my sister, her husband and their two boys at my parents house. I decided not to carve this year - but enjoyed watching the "boys" carve their pumpkins.

Doug working hard

Jacob was more into the tools than the pumpkin

Aidan looking at the gooey slimy seeds

Aidan scooping for more seeds

This is what happens when the little ones want to play

Doug and I waited at my parents house to see two little jumping Tigers. It is too cute that both boys wanted to be alike - Tiger. They were adorable :-)

Who are these cute kids?

Tiger #1 - Jacob


Tiger #2, Aidan, really enjoyed his sucker

I am a fan of dressing up as well - so each year I try hard to find a costume that Doug will go for. This year he came up with a great idea. He was the Gorton Fisherman and I was his catch, a mermaid. My so wonderful Mother-in-law made my costume possible. At late notice she made my skirt for me. It turned out so awesome! Its a shame Halloween is only for one night.

Gorton & Mermaid