December Highlights

Finally(finally!) posting our December. The kids (and their mom and dad) had a very fun and busy holiday season. Christmas spirit started here in Phoenix with a trip to zoo lights with Grandma Cindy, Chip, Vanessa and Lexi. Ada and Will then got to stay up late going to the light parade close to "uncle" Ian's house, and ice cream with our friends after.

Rachel and I then took Ada and Will back to my homeland Wisconsin where they got an extended time to hang out with family and friends. James met us there midway through our nearly 3 week trip back for the fun. Was a very memorable and special trip.

"rrroarrr!" Lion at zoo lights. Lots of animals say roar in our house lately.

Captivated by carousel.

Walking from parade with "uncle" Ian.

Ada "helping" me pack for our Wisconsin trip. She found a Santa jacket from last year (now three sizes to small!), leg warmer on arm, and one slipper. She's ready.

Tia and twins at airport.

Ada taking a "rest" on the plane.

isle view.

Sightseeing.

How did people travel with toddlers before the iPad?

One of the first orders of business at home was Great Grandpa Braun, Tia/Rachel, and cousin Tracy's birthday. Complete with Grandpa Brauns infamous Sunday soup.

Party boy.

Taking a birthday party couch break. Snuggles.

Happy Birthday Tia!

Movie night at Nana and Papas!

Aunt Laurie came over to cut Wills extra shaggy locks.

So cute!

Ada and Will got tons of Nana attention...

...and Papa of course, to teach them the finer things in life--sugar and TV!

Also lots of extra one on one time with Great Grandma and Grandpa Braun. Even though it has been awhile since seeing them, Ada and Will, to my surprise, never acted shy or hesitant around them. It was like they knew straight away that they belonged with them.

Bonus: They have a great broom.

Most awesome and hilarious pillow game Will played with Great Gramps...

...that should do!

Us desert kids were hoping for some serious Wisconsin weather! It was quite mild most of the trip...here romping in just our caps and fleece. In fact, Ada and Will have been so unaccustomed to cold that when they'd go outside and get chilled they would say "hot, hot, hot" instead of "cold"!

Here starting to need more bundle. This is still Ada's "cheese" face. She thought her pockets were so cool. 

"mom, what are these...."

Here a bit cooler. Winter walk with Will, and a brushing of snow!

Taking Minnie for a walk.

Fond du Lac Childrens Museum with Tia and cousins Paula, Gabriel, Catherine, and baby Nolan.

Ill have a 1/4 of a pizza please, and one green fish.

Playing radio station with Tia.

Future in medicine? Keep it in the fam...

Kids table! With cous Gabe.

We also hit up the Madison Childrens Museum with our dear friends Kristen, Matt, and baby Jameson. Their bro and SIL came too. So fun to play with Char, Lindsey, and Ella!

Water room! With Jameson.

Kid group shot. Hilarious.

"Auntie" Hayley and "Uncle" Thayer also overlapped WI trips with us and we got some time with them at the Coopers. 

Grandpa Brian time!

And to complete our WI Childrens Museum tour, we end in Milwaukee :). With Tia, Gramps, and Julie. Here teaching Grandpa how to grocery shop ;)

Flower shop with Tia.

Do you know how to use that thing dad?

Corn ...

...and cows. Home sweet home.

Goofball.

Monkey!

Age-old kid restaurant activity. Creamer stacking.

Brunch with tots...

...think we lost one under the table.

Too hilarious to not document. Ada hugging and kissing a picture of uncle "ah-jee".

Nana and Papa and TONS of fun new traditional, and nontraditional kids toys....
* Here wearing Anna Krells slippers

Dusters...

...poker chips.

Baskets.

Jingle bells.

Minnies dog bed was Ada's most favorite spot in the house.

Magnets were a new and very cool discovery.Will liked to line up the magnets with each of Tia's baby hand prints.

Of course we found the pots and pans.

Kids getting good at the alphabet puzzle. And yes, Will is wearing a head band. 

Ada and Will were also a hit and Great Grandma Schmitz's new pad at Tri Manor. They loved walking up and down the long hallway with Grandpa looking for the home's cats.

Also the ramps made for awesome truck races.

Daddy's here! They did see US too...

Some down time with their momma.

All the action wore the kids out! Here Ada "taking a break" in her favorite spot.

Here Will actually fell asleep sitting up in James' lap. (unHEARD of!) Being on vacation is tough work!

Thanks to all of our family and friends for taking the time and energy to hang out with us. We loved seeing all of you. And those we didnt get pictures of, like friends Sean, Beth, and baby Liam, Aunt Diane, Uncle Eric and family, and one of my best ladies Shelly.

Now, off to work on Christmas post....I know I know....