1.26.14: New Goldfish

Today we got a surprise after swimming lessons, the girls graduated from being tadpoles and are now goldfish. Here Stella, Fiona and Daphne are proudly displaying their ribbons.  I am amazed at how well they have taken to submerging their faces in water and bravely try whatever their teacher suggests.  Very proud of my little tadpoles...oops I mean goldfish.

1.18.14: Hiking

Today we went on a REAL hike....a climbing over rocks, beware of the prickly plant, I think this is the right way to go...sort of hike.  The girls (Stella, Daphne, Fiona) had so much fun and so did we.  We took a few water breaks an lasted just over an hour.  We even saw the inside of a saguaro cactus that had fallen over. Not too bad for our first hike through desert wilderness.

1.12.14: Swimming Lessons

Upon finding an indoor pool with fantastic reputation Daphne, Stella and Fiona are now officially enrolled in swimming lessons.  It is extremely important the girls learn how to swim properly given we have a pool and are surrounded by friends with pools.  We have tried swimming lessons twice before but both times the girls were too young to actually learn to swim.  Previously the lessons were more focused around being comfortable in the water - and they are. However, now it is time to learn to swim, really swim.  We are hoping to have good swimmers by summer.

1.5.14: Pizza

Tonight Stella, Daphne and Fiona each made their very own pizza.  Their favorite part was definitely stretching out the pizza dough followed next by the munching of extra cheese.  Stella made plain cheese, Daphne mushroom and Fiona broccoli.  We even had enough for leftovers the next day.

1.3.14: Triplet Carts

Whenever the girls find three of something, they get really excited and declare them 'triplet objects'. With Nene in charge during the final days of winter break, the girls (Stella, Daphne, Fiona) went to a park to swing.  

 Then they decided to create a triplet slide

Finally ending at a grocery store with three mini-carts.  This is a rare treat that only Nene allows.  Mama and Daddy avoid the kid carts as much as possible because someone invariably runs into someone/something inappropriate.  Nene is from out of town, so she seems less bothered by the onlookers.

12.27.13: Just one more book

The girls (Stella, Fiona, Nana, Daphne) trying to squeeze in some more Nana reading time before our final house guests leave the for the holidays.

12.26.13: Robertsons and Javelinas

 With everyone together, we attempted the large family photo (Evan, Nana, Ragan, Brant, Daphne/Melissa, Kari/Fiona, Christina/Stella).

For the first time since living here, a family (~10) javelinas went running through our front yard.  They are much larger than I expected and I was very thankful we were all safely inside at the time.  Melissa noticed them first and yelled 'Pigs!' over and over again.  Eventually the girls let her know they were javelinas and actually seemed excited to see them - me, not so much.

What do you do with all the boxes left over from Christmas? Why you make a five minute doll house that can be colored and decorated of course.

12.25.13: Christmas

The girls awoke to many wonderful surprises left by Santa including brand new Big Girl Bikes!  This year he accidentally knocked over some of the candles in the fireplace.  Next year the girls instructed us to move the candles too - as we already have to put the stockings on the floor so Santa isn't blocked from coming down the chimney.

Santa filled each girls' stocking with legos and they had a blast dumping their stockings onto the floor - the amount of legos seemed endless.

After stockings, we all opened presents.

Go Team Robertson!  (the kid table dinner cheer)

 Daphne riding her bike

 Stella riding her bike with Auntie Christina

Fiona riding her bike with Auntie Melissa.

Fiona, Stella and Daphne modelling their handmade winter hats by Auntie Melissa.

12.24.13: Christmas Eve

We had many adventures over the holidays with family in town.  We made cookies for Santa (and of course tasted a few along the way), skyped withe the Kochmans, walked to our future elementary school to play, and of course prepared the house for Santa  

 Brant, Stella, Daphne, Nana, and Fiona decorating cookies for Santa.
 
Family walk to our future elementary school (Brant/Stella, Fiona, Ragan, Christina, Daphne, Kari, Evan)

Stella and Brant swinging

 
Auntie Melissa sliding
 
Uncle Ragan, Fiona and Aunt Christina swinging
 
Uncle Ragan made it safely down the slide

We even discovered a new game where family members would hold an imaginary ball and the girls would try to squish their hands together - this provided an abundance of entertainment.  

Uncle Evan needed help trying to squish the imaginary ball.

Uncle Ragan and Daphne working together to squish the ball.

Yes, Santa was very busy at our house this year.

12.23.13: Crazy houses

Now that Auntie Christina and Uncle Ragan have arrived, the family had a group project:  Make Gingerbread House: 

Auntie Christina, Fiona, Daphne and Nana assembling the house. 

 Auntie Melissa and Stella patiently waiting to add candy

Uncle Evan putting on the final touches.

The completed masterpiece

Upon completion of marveling at the delicious creation, we embarked on a big adventure to Winterhaven, a neighborhood with an over-the-top approach to the holidays.  The favorite house was one with disney princesses all over it.  Last year, we didn't know who any of the princesses were - oh, what a difference a year makes.

12.22.13: Zoo lights

With Nana, Uncle Evan and Auntie Melissa in town, we took the crew to see the Zoo lights.  Somehow the girls (fiona/blue, daphne/gray, stella/pink) convinced each of us to carry them on our shoulders.  Even worse, we walked by a sign that said 'Nana's cinnamon rolls' and the girls read the word Nana on their own, so of course we had to then buy a cinnamon roll.
 
The polar bear at our zoo 'left' so Stella was really excited to see this one tonight.

12.15.13: Arizona 'snow'

Tonight we (Stella/pink, Fiona/blue, Daphne/gray) all adventured to the outdoor mall to enjoy the fake snow show.  Yes...I'm serious - this is what people get excited about here in Arizona.

12.14.13: Riding horses

Somehow the girls are lucky enough to have a friend with horses.  During her birthday party, Stella, Fiona and Daphne all got to ride around on the horses.  Horses coupled with a bounce house = big smiles all weekend.