Zoo Fun

Today we went to the zoo and had a great time!  We rented a wagon to carry the backpack, lunch bag and the boys (when they got tired) and we all took turns pulling it around.  The weather was really nice (cool and sunny) and most of the animals were readily visible today!

Just getting started....

Sharing pulling duty and checking out the birds

A King Vulture is showing off his impressive wing span

 Bears enjoying the sunshine

The new addition to the Elephant Exhibit is now open. 
The little one on the left is one of the newest additions!

Michael is almost as big as the Komodo Dragon!
(not sure if that is a good thing or not...)

Mandrills take naps too.

Guess it is easier to pull the wagon when straddling the handle bar.

Big brother had to have his turn pulling the wagon!

Christmas 2011

Here is the picture of the boys with Santa this year:

We had a good Christmas this year:

Tree & Gifts before the boys got up
(We decided to wait until Christmas Eve after the boys went to sleep to put the presents under the tree)

At church Christmas Day morning
(we all got new tops to wear!)

Grandpa Dave & Grandma Lela helping with some of the gifts

How quickly they learn to rip things open!!

David got a new RC 4-wheeler that can run outside

More things to add to the Toy Station: trucks, cars, helicopters, Dragon Ship, 2 small RC cars for Michael...

A few more things that don't fit at the Toy Station: RC Sesame Street train (currently residing in the yellow tub); fold out race track; Barrel of Army Men, Tanks, Planes, etc; Marble Run & Electronic Snap Kit. 

The boys also got assorted clothes & pajamas.  They opened gifts in shifts: stockings before breakfast; Santa gifts after breakfast; went to church, came home, had lunch & rest time; opened the rest of the gifts after Grandpa Dave, Grandma Lela & Grandpa Frosty came over (around 4:00) then dinner at 5:00 before playing some more before bedtime.  We had a good day.

First Visit with Santa

We took the boys this morning to see Santa for the first time.  It went really well!  We practiced smiling and telling Santa what they wanted for Christmas (cars, even though Mama tried to get Michael to say "Land Rover" instead of 'Car') 

We went ahead and got a package of pictures (we will post one once we can get it scanned).  Here are ones we took while waiting our turn:

Decorating the Christmas Tree

We got the Christmas Tree put up a couple of weeks ago, but didn't get it decorated until tonight (the lights were strung last week).  The boys had fun helping hang decorations and Chris enjoyed watching (before he had to leave for work).  See if you can tell who decorated what parts...

Mama and the boys getting started

Waiting for ornaments to put on the tree

This is fun!

Making sure the sides & back get some

All done!!  Now all we need are the presents under the tree...


At dinner, the boys were asked what they wanted for Christmas:

David: a train and 20 motorcycles

Michael: motorcycles

(They take after their daddy!
He wants a motorcycle too!)