Kickin' it

It's photo dump time! Here's what we've been up to:

We went with Aunt Melissa and cousin N to the dinosaur museum at the beginning of the month. Ari really liked playing in the sand. I really need to get a pass for Thanksgiving Point.

For Christmas, Dawn gave Ari some dance clothes to wear during their dance lessons on Wednesdays.

 She's a pretty awesome at somersaults (it only took 3.5 years...)

 Our passes for the aquarium now include the 4D movies, so here we are watching one. Ari really likes them. Locke is indifferent.

 

Ari LOVES snow (both playing in it and eating it :)  )

 She also loves talking on the phone while in her snow gear.

She likes reading stories, especially to Locke. My mom got them both a subscription to Highlights magazines this year, so it's been fun for them to get them in the mail. 

This blog's title mentions our two hounds, but I rarely talk about them. Mostly because they're stinky and annoying, however we do love them. I'm very impressed with how good both dogs are with the kids.

 Locke grabbing at Abby. She loves to be by him. 

 Chuck is a master at finding the most comfortable position. 

 Chuck is also a good pillow. 

 And he has to get in on snuggle time. 

Both dogs actually really like Locke. Abby, especially. She'll go sit by him when he's on the floor or in his jumper. They'll let him totally maul them and just sit there. They like Ari, too, but she's a little crazy for them sometimes.

Some random dress up with Ari. She has such an imagination and is so much fun. She's also very bossy. ;)

So I went to Swig for the first time last week. Big mistake. Huge. I am addicted.

 Love seeing Ari and Locke play together. I didn't think it would start so early, but she is great at interacting with him.

We went to the zoo last week. Ari BEGGED to go and then was totally uninterested once we got there. She pretty much only wanted to go for the train and the carousel.

 

Locke's first carousel ride. Can you tell he's thrilled? I wasn't going to take him on, but I had to be with Ari and couldn't leave him in the stroller. Poor kiddo was sick. I found out later that evening that he had RSV (what  good mom I am- dragging my sick kid to the zoo.)

Here are some random pics of Locke. He's almost 7 months already! He's super sweet. He loves food, pulling hair, and trying to eat your face. 

 Happy boy!!

And we'll finish up with a pic of Ry and Ari on the ferris wheel at Scheels.

Oh How Blessed We Are

We've had a wonderful holiday season, and I am left feeling an extreme sense of gratitude for our family and for all of our blessings.

We are grateful for snow (finally) and that we had a white Christmas! Aria finally got to use her snowman kit that we got from Dr. W.

I appreciate that our HOA has a Santa that actually has a real beard. They also let you take your own pictures, and it's all free (well....not really since I pay my fees...). Here are the Santa pics I promised:

She loves Santa! She asked for a snow globe and a microscope. 

Santa even offered to hold Locke for a picture. He really was a great Santa.

Locke LOVED waiting in line, can you tell? I like how this pic is mid-drool.

We always spend Christmas Eve at Ryan's parents' house. The grandkids have so much fun together, and my favorite holiday tradition is singing Christmas carols together as a family. 

 I was in charge of decorating cookies with the kids so they'd have some to leave out for Santa. I think Rose did more eating, and Katie did the decorating.

 Ryan and the boy.

 Taylor and Amanda!! We were all so glad to have them up for the holiday. 

 It was present time, so smiling for the camera wasn't really Ari's focus...

 Yay for dress up stuff at Grandmas!

 Amanda was a good sport and let Ari get her all dolled up. 

I think Ari may have a future in cosmetology. 

 Ari likes to dance while we sing carols. She was pretty much the director, and told us what songs to sing (for the most part).

Nick and Oakley spent Christmas Eve night at our place so they could be there to see what Santa brought on Christmas morning. Nick and Ari have such a special relationship- it was so much fun seeing them together. Ari was so excited to see what Santa brought. We'd considered putting coal in Nick's stocking with a note that he needed to eat more vegetables or something that Ari needed to work on, but we didn't get around to finding coal, and I was worried that she would be really upset that he didn't get anything. She can be pretty tenderhearted that way.

She didn't wait for us to get the camera, so sorry for the blurry cell phone pic.

Santa brought some toys for Locke, too. 

Ari made us that awesome ornament you see behind her at preschool.

Ari got a Snow White dress and immediately tried to put it on... packaging at all. Needless to say her head got stuck.

She loves Oakley, too. He helped her open presents. 

Uncle Nick got her an octopus puppet. It's so awesome! Ryan was "getting" her with it.

Miss Wendy got her a stuffed bear. I think she likes it...

Snuggles with Nick. :)

We also got family pictures taken:

 I love this cute family of mine!

 My favorite. How I got two such awesome kiddos, I don't know. We're sure lucky!

 I love this spunky girl! 

 And this little guy! Oh the drool! I love his snuggles and his giggles.