A day with my guy at the zoo...

I am really gonna miss my time with my boy when he starts Kindergarten in a year and a half! I know, that is plenty of time to spend together...I had the same feelings with Pumpkin as she was getting older. I just love the time I get to spend with the kids before the have the distraction of school, homework, projects, etc.

Critter and I went to the zoo with a bunch of friends. It was one of the first times he and I went together where we could just walk around without all that accompanies a little kid. It was so much fun! I love seeing what makes him smile and interests him.

He loves all these bronze statues in the kids area. Each time we go to the zoo he wants to pose with them! We don't always get to or I don't have my camera with me. But, when we have the time and my camera, he wants lots of pictures :)

He loves the elephant trunk. I know one day he will be too big to lay on it...

I just love days like this. I wish I could get more days like this with Pumpkin now. But, I will enjoy every day I can!

Ringing in 2012...

Ending the year is always hard. Not because it is sad or reflective or anything deep. It is because Hubby works insane hours. He works about 30 hours within a 40 hour time period. Luckily, we have VERY amazing friends who usually get together. The kids and I usually get to hang out with them. Not only are the adults friends, but also the kids...so it is win-win for all of us! Because of them, the new year is fun and awesome!

They were having so much fun outside, she did not want to stop and let me take her picture. But, I can be quite convincing :)Critter is very different from his sister. Where Pumpkin likes to be in the middle of the action, the kids and leading a group....Critter likes to do his own thing. He was up in the fort for quite awhile playing his own thing. He is perfectly content that way. He will join in the group for awhile and then go off on his own. He is not the social butterfly his sister is, that is for sure!

I have been trying to remember to get a picture of me with the kids lately. The face Critter is making is his new "cheese" face. When you tell him to smile for a picture, this is what he gives you. Not sure about that one! But, at least they will look back and know I was there!

Most of the evening/night we were dancing to a great dance game. The kids and grownups got in on the action. It was a workout both from the dancing and the laughing. It made the night so much fun! Pumpkin has been begging for the game at home now.

What party would be complete without sparklers? I don't think Critter has ever held a sparkler before. He thought they were pretty neat, but didn't move around too much!

My little adventure girl on the other hand was having a blast making designs in the air and moving all around.

We were trying to do a heart, but she got a little excited. She did not want to stop at just one heart, she kept making them! I love how excited she gets though...

This was near the end of the night. We stayed up for the 10pm countdown..then got ready to go home. It was a late night, but a blast. We were all quite tired the next day...and a little goofy at the end of the night!

Here's to a great 2012!

Christ.mas Day

We had a beyond fabulous Christ.mas Day. It was different this year because we woke up in the morning with just the 4 of us. Usually my parents are there too...but I think they probably enjoyed not being woken up at 615am! :)

We had just a few things for the kids at our house...plus the big guys gift! :) The kids knew they had quite a few things waiting for them at my parent's house.

This was Critter as he woke up and looked for the first time. I don't know about your house, but at our house San.ta does not wrap his presents. The ones under the tree without wrapping paper are from him. So...the first thing the kids see is what he brought them....is is fun and cute!
They were super excited their aunt and uncle gave them new Wii remotes! We have been sharing the 2 white ones it came with for over a year. Now, no more fighting! I don't know who was more excited about this...the kids or Hubby and I :)

We gave Critter a cool Star.Wars ship set...isn't it adorable! :)

After getting dressed and setting up new toys, we were up at my parent's house the rest of the day. It was fun and relaxing. But....weird for me to not cook a meal. I have been cooking a Christ.mas meal for 6 years. I don't always know how to relax and this was proof. All week I kept thinking I was missing a present or something...it was driving me crazy. It was not until Hubby told me I was missing shopping, prepping and cooking the meal that it made sense...

He was so excited to open each gift.

Yes, that is a jar of pickles....yes, it was a Christ.mas present...yes, it was from my parents...yes, he was super excited about it! This kid loves pickles!

I totally forgot to get a picture of the kids sitting in front of presents this year. so...we did the next best thing. We gathered all the paper at my parent's house and buried the kids. They thought it was a blast!

One of the favorite gifts...it talks too.

Another favorite! He was SO excited to be like his big sister. He hopped on and was riding like a pro. Plus, he loved the little hill on my parents street.

What better way to burn off the dinner calories than a race on the street. We all raced..it was fun. I had the kids get Hubby though since I was wearing boots with heels that were not too great for running!

He wore himself out! No, I did not pose this. He just layed down in the street after racing and riding his new scooter!

We finished the night watching a 3D movie. It is one of the kids (and my dads) favorites and really cool in 3D!

It was a beyond amazing day. Everyone was so spoiled. We are still enjoying the feelings from then. I don't think anything is better than these two amazing faces celebrating...