12.8.13: Loving Santa

Oh what a difference a year makes.  Last year, Fiona, Stella and Daphne were relatively scared of Santa.  In fact every year at least one of them was crying or upset in the Santa picture - therefore forcing Brant and I into the photo.  We this year we have finally turned a corner, all the girls went running to give Santa a hug and willingly sat on his lap.  We had smiling faces during the picture and a even good conversation about our wish list to Santa.

12.2.13: Mama's family

With everyone together, we decided to get some professional photos of my entire family.

(Uncle) Rob, (Auntie) Kelly, (Cousin) Cooper, Penny (Nene), Kari, Brant, Daphne, Stella, Fiona 

Nene and her grand kids 

 The Robertsons with three squirming little ones. 

 The Kochmans (Kelly, Rob, Cooper and baby-to-be)

Our amazing little girls - so much energy - so much love.

12.1.13: Uncle Rob's Birthday Party

There are few things the girls love more than celebrating birthdays.  I would like to say it is because of their appreciation for the birthday party honoree, but in fact I think it is because they get cupcakes.  Regardless, we were able to celebrate Uncle Rob's birthday - complete with party hats, singing, presents and of course cupcakes.

 

Daphne, Stella and Fiona desperately trying to wait to eat their cupcake until Uncle Rob starts.

11.29.13: Thanksgiving fun

We had a wonderful thanksgiving with my entire family coming down for a visit.  Nene, Auntie Kelly (~7mo pregnant), Uncle Rob and Cousin Cooper. Here are some of our favorite pictures from the festivities.

Teaching Cooper about winter in Arizona - very similar to summer in Seattle.  Cooper's mom wasn't so sure about giving Cooper (~18mo) a metal shovel with lots of kids around. Auntie Kari said, "Go for it".  Notice a very pregnant Auntie Kelly coloring with the girls...impressive, I'm not sure I would have been able to get back up.

 Stella's self portrait.

Science Time:  Auntie Kelly made some (baking soda) eggs and supplied the girls with their own squeeze bottle of vinegar.  Fiona, Stella and Daphne weren't totally sure what to expect, but when dinosaurs appeared in the dissolving eggs, they were more than excited.

 9 people going to the zoo together, not too bad.  4 kids staying near each other, more of a challenge.

Stella decided to climb onto this block all by herself and stood very proudly until I interrupted.

 

Bringing a toddler to the zoo means bringing a stroller. Of course Cooper didn't want to ride in the stroller, so the girls took turns pushing it into walls, signs and of course people (sigh).

 

Fiona testing out her camouflage.