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.

 
 

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. 

11.11.13: Big Girl Beds

Long overdue for big girl beds (from our convertible toddler beds) we decided it was time to make a big move to get twin beds.  We went to Ikea where the girls (Stella, Fiona and Daphne) were trying to convince us they could all just share one bed.  We decided to get three twin beds instead, knowing that our children would never sleep if sharing one giant bed.

Daphne testing out her new bed.  She likes to sleep against the wall.

Fiona sleeping in her new bed.  She likes to get all twisted up in the covers.

Stella very comfy in her new bed.  Often we find her sideways - perhaps unsure what to do with all the new space these beds provide.

While Brant was assembling the beds, the girls and I came up with a plan to divide out our shared clothes into three dressers.  Stella is the keeper of all pants and skirts.  Fiona is the keeper of all shirts.  Daphne is the keeper of undies, socks and pjs.  They seem pretty happy with this breakdown and enjoy having their very own space.

So long cribs/toddler beds.  You have held three, two and then just one Robertson girl.  You have moved three states and survived four and a half years.  We have jumped, puked, peed, pooped, chewed, cried, snuggled and laughed on you.  You have shown your wear and tear but survived and kept us safe.  We couldn't ask for anything more.

11.10.13: Playing at Nene's

Realizing that we had no specific plans for the holiday and an overdue need to get big girls beds from Ikea, we decided to adventure to Nene's on very short notice.  Perhaps too short of notice for Nene  :)

Daphne showing how long her legs are now that she can easily walk between the pillars.

 

 Stella showing her excellent climbing skills (even climbing onto the bridge from the outside).

 Fiona found a perch and was keeping an eye on everyone.

Stella, Fiona and Daphne trying to golf on cement - turns out there is a reason golfers prefer grass.