Pre-holiday Fun Stuff

As each holiday approaches, we as a family get to do a lot of interesting things together.  Some of those things are just random outings like these.  

about the only thing she could play on

We take our kids to the local McD's quite often - not to eat - just to play.  We'll get them snacks like the apples or a water, maybe ice cream if they've been good.  We love to let our kids run around without having to tell them to be quiet and with no stairs in our home it's a good place for our little ones to practice new skills.  This was one of Ally's first times on the equipment at McD's.  Obviously it was a hit with everyone.

yes, this is normal for Liz

peek-a-boo!

even daddy had fun!

We also get to do our toy shopping as a family.  It's not always very fun, but we try to make it interesting and as secretive as we can get.  Luckily they're still little so beyond the short attention span their memories are not that great.  Thank goodness!

Got Bottle? Happy kid!

she loves to try everything out - we don't mind

he was trying to get away from the camera - he's belted in

We also had the chance for something a bit unique!  I found these great cookies that you could color.  Literally, we took markers and colored our sugar cookies.  It was a lot of fun and something totally tailored to my kids' desire to color everything imaginable.  They got a kick out of it.

Evie was very careful.  She really loved this idea.

Lizzy, not so careful, but still very happy

I don't even know if he colored it!  At least it tasted good.

soon after this picture she was belted in every time!

See?  So pretty - the cookie too.

We also had to do something we've never done.  We had a professional photographer - not a family member or friend - take our pix this year.  We get family pix every year, usually the day after Thanksgiving or somewhere near there.  But I was out of town this last year and we obviously had lots to do as you can tell if you've been reading!  So, I know most of you have seen the pix, we included them in our family update/Christmas letter, but here they are for those of you who didn't get them!  Enjoy!  I was shocked at how well they turned out!

I LOVE this picture!  My family is soooo cute! (I'm biased, I know)

We look almost the same as we did when we were married - is that weird?
Still happy and in love 10 yrs later.  Who would've guessed?

Ohhhh! I'm so in love with my own kids.  I mean, seriously, if anyone's going to be in love with them, shouldn't it be mom?  They are so cute and I was so surprised by how well they did at the studio.  They did so good I couldn't tell if they were actually mine!