the last day of 2008

we enjoyed our extended family

cousins played

spent time with the birthday boy

instantly re-made our family room into a bowling alley

tried to smile (and not laugh) while the timer feature on the camera beeped and flashed at us 

 (we did it!)

sang Happy Birthday to celebrate 80 years

enjoyed fabulous chocolate cake

some enjoyed more than others!

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Phoenix Zoo with Cousins

Today, the kids and I ventured to the Phoenix Zoo with my parents and the Lyon family, visiting us from Colorado Springs.

Me (Ann), Sophie, Pam (Gran), Kendallyn, Aunt Karen, Jody, (Papa) Jeff, Dan
Charlie, Ella, Erica

Our absolute favorite animal, the daddy orangatan! He was great fun to watch. Charlie could have stayed with this guy all day.

Another favorite. This was our first time inside the monkey enclosure.

Eating lunch.

Erica Lyon (6 years)

Ella (5 years)

Charlie (3 years)

We finished the day with a ride on the carousel.

The weather was wonderful, we saw lots of animals, and everybody left completely worn out. A successful day at the Phoenix Zoo.

Polar Express

Before Christmas (last week), we took the kids up to the Grand Canyon Railway in Williams, Arizona to ride on the very last Polar Express run of the year. We arrived just in time for fresh snow! The kids were so excited!

Eating dinner, waiting for the train to arrive.

The train arrives!

We board and start our adventure.

Excited kids

and parents.

Charlie was very excited for the conductor to punch his ticket. He made quite a lot of punches (just like in the movie) and the punched out holes spelled "NP". 

Can you tell by the eyes who just boarded the train?!?

Sophie granted Santa a moment, just long enough to receive her bell.

Ella and Charlie loved singing songs with their bells, all the way back to the depot.

Playing in the night snow.

Enjoying the fire

and the tree.

In the morning we played in even more fresh snow! 

The storm stopped just in time for us to head back to the valley for Christmas!

Christmas with Cousins

Christmas day was spent with the Marshall grandparents and cousins.

The kids played

and played

and played.

Ella (5), Gwen (3), Sophie (16 months), Mira (18 months), Charlie (3)

with their Mo

Christmas Morning

Santa brought...

A vacuum for Sophie.

An American Girl doll (Mia) for Ella. (Pictured riding Sophie's new zebra, also a fave.)

And lastly, rescue helicopters for Charlie. Charlie is rescuing Miss Mary Quite Contrary (made by Great Grandma Betty).

We had so much fun opening presents and eating a delicious home-made waffle breakfast (with Charles' new 5 of Hearts waffle maker)! A wonderful Christmas morning!

Merry Christmas!

On Monday evening, we drove up to Williams, Arizona to catch a ride to the North Pole on the Polar Express. These pictures were taken with Santa at the train station. This was the "best" picture of all taken with Santa. As you can see, Sophie did NOT care for Santa much this year. Charlie, despite his odd expression, really loved Santa, and Ella adored him, she insisted on a hug before we departed!

To fully appreciate this picture you must also view the next picture below to see Charlie's identical facial expression from 2006.

Priceless.

More pictures of our Polar Express adventure to come...

Happy Holidays!

Do you see a theme?

Sophie Mae
15 months

it's raining, it's pouring

It rained for 3 days this week! Unbelievable. The mornings were so dark, we had that nice rain sound and it made the kids just want to stay in bed (mom and dad too for that matter, and Dharma - she always stays in bed, regardless of the weather).

I'd bought new umbrellas for the kids for Christmas, so we decided to open them early so we could get some use out of them. Normally they're just a novelty, but my kids LOVE to play with them. To them, rain is so exciting, it's a cause for celebration!

thrill seekers

If you're searching for a last minute Christmas present for your loved ones, I highly recommend this toy, it provides endless entertainment and very happy children!

Spider-man is SO tall

Charlie's best buddy turned 3 today!

Last week we celebrated at his super duper Spider-man birthday party. We had SO much fun. You just never know who might show up at the Walters' house...

Zach, Charlie, Nathan, & Josh (they are all officially 3 now!)

and Spider-man of course

Charlie had lots to say to Spider-man. He was especially impressed with how tall Spider-man was (as was I). Only Loraine's tall, thin, young neighbor could fit in that suit!

Ella told me she was shy with Spider-man, but decided he was okay.

Needless to say, Sophie wanted NOTHING to do with Spider-man. But, no need to worry, she found her own fun!

Happy Birthday Nathan!  You always make us smile!