Baptism Picture Preview

While we had both kiddos in the same state we decided to get some pictures taken so we can use them at their baptism in a couple of weeks.  Neither Camille nor I are professional photographers, but we dressed up the kids, found a great park, waited for twilight and hoped for the best.  They may not be perfect, but I'm pretty happy with them.  The kids were troopers and didn't complain about the fact that we didn't know what we were doing. Man, not to brag, but they are good looking kids!

 

Bike Parks and Ice Rinks

Each day we had a small adventure.  The first day it was the aquarium.  The second day we went to the bike park.  Somehow we managed to round up enough wheels for our entire crew.  True, not everyone fit on their wheels, but it was good enough to play.  We went up to the paved bike park in Anthem so that those on scooters could enjoy it.  We had a few wipe outs.  Audrey rubbed through her pants from sliding down the turf.  Moki got to run and chase Kelton on his bike.  All in all, it was a successful afternoon.  

Another day we went ice skating.  For some reason we've just never gone skating here in Colorado so the Ice Center in Westminster was new to us.  Cambrie loves ice skating and kept going around and around.  The toe pick threw her off at one point though and she hit hard.  I turned around just in time to see her spread on the ice like a star with her glasses spinning away in one direction and her phone spinning away in the other direction.  Remarkably all she had to show for her fall was a bruised leg.  Kelton was determined to do it all by himself.  He never complained even though he fell...a lot.  But he still had a smile on his face.  Daxton hasn't skated without the walker so this was new.  He spent most of the time holding my hand but every now and then would take off on his own.  He had two epic falls.  One he fell back and slammed his head into the ice.  After that he tried to land on his elbows...I can't believe he wasn't more bruised.  The second was right after the ice was cleaned and it was soaking wet.  He didn't expect it to be so slippery.  But we all survived the two hour public skate window so I'm going to call that a win.

Watching the Zamboni is always so fascinating.

We didn't get a single group shot (too many kids off the ice then on the ice), but here's proof of our family fun.

Aquarium Visit

We didn't go out for Christmas, but that didn't mean we didn't see any family.  The Thurstons came out to spend a few days with us over their break.  Our first adventure was the aquarium.  My girls were busy with teenager lives, but the boys came willingly.  It took me back to the years that the aquarium was my sanity and our favorite day trip.  We had a membership and went whatever chance we had.  The boys may be bigger now, but that just means they enjoy it even more.

My favorite exhibit is still the sea otters.  I love how playful they are!

Watch out Kelton, I think that shark is going to be able to catch you.

As a baby the flash flood exhibit terrified Daxton.  I mean absolutely terrified him.  I used to have to cover his ears and press his face against my chest if we walked by at the wrong time.  This visit the boys waited around to watch the flood come through twice before they'd move on.

Cambrie told me I needed to take pictures of the prettiest or strangest looking fish for her.  I love the color on these magenta ones.

The shark tunnel is still vey, very cool.

Kelton used these bubble windows to pretend he was drowning.  He is totally starting to turn into a big, weird, middle school boy.

Hey, jungle Christmas lights!

We couldn't quite find the tiger this trip, but it didn't stop the kids from looking.

Hello sharks. Audrey did not trust the glass floor and refused to walk on it.

Jellies!

We splurged and let each kid feed the manta rays.  Feeling their mouths grab the fish in our fingers is so, so weird.

Happy Aquarium day!

 

Christmas

What a peaceful Christmas morning!  The kids were all nestled all snug in their own beds and we were able to enjoy Christmas our own way.  The tree looked beautiful with everyone's gifts underneath it and the kids couldn't wait to see what was inside.  

Daxton had a fun surprise, a letter that Santa Claus wrote back.  Lucky kid.

It was slight mayhem as the boys just started unwrapping everything willy nilly.  If I was lucky I was able to turn in time to watch them open their gifts.  I didn't get to see it all though because they were just so fast!

Moki got a new toy to play with when we're out of the house.  We filled it with treats and it took him all morning to dig them out.

Magic happened here.  Cambrie lost her tortoise pin from Zion's at Thescon this month.  Somehow Santa was able to get her a new one in her stocking.

A new family game, Abducktion!  A game played with mini rubber ducks! 

Just trying to open the best lotion ever, Sol de Janeiro.

Daxton's gift to Kelton, a neon game pad for their room.

Kelton gave Cambrie some new water color paper.

Over the ear headphones...I don't think she'll participate in another conversation ever again.

Karaoke microphones to go with her new disco ball.

McKenzie gave Daxton a solar system orb.

Hello Lulu!

"Mom!  This is the third time Santa gave me what I asked him for at Breakfast with Santa!  He's so good!"

Sword earrings from her sister.

A new pink coat from my girls.

A fuzzy pillow from Cambrie for Kenzie's new room.

An extendable keychain so Jeremy doesn't leave the keys on the bumper of the car anymore.

New skiis!

This was the exotic fruit in her stocking, a Buddha's hand.  None of us has any idea what it is.  Time to find out!  (Update, it is great for zesting.)

Cambrie got a kit to make a paw print ornament for Moki.  She was giggling and so happy.

Jeremy now gets to learn how to use his new air fryer.

McKenzie's haul.

Kelton's goodies.

Daxton's stash.

Cambrie was too efficient, but here she is with her big ticket items.

The best thing about being home is that the kids could open their gifts right away.  They didn't have to worry about traveling home with them, losing pieces, or not being able to use their gifts since they don't work when we're traveling.  McKenzie immediately got to work hanging up her fairy lights to complete her room.

Chilling while playing their new games.

Dance Jam was so much fun for all of us!  That was a fun surprise.

Kelton's coconut was absolutely filled with water!  I've never seen one so full.

Christmas dinner.  I almost forgot that this was my job now.  It was delicious steak with rosemary bread and punch.  Delicious and just right (and we're all still in our jammies from the morning).  I think that was the best thing about spending time together.  It all felt just right.