Christmas

Derek and I were really looking forward to Christmas this year as Taylor had taken to snooping under the tree...we fully expected her to rip into all of her presents, not so much! Her first present was out of her stocking, it was a spatula to use in her kitchen. After opening the spatula she wasn't interested in anything else! We would open a present and show her, she would just throw it aside and hold on to the spatula!

My Grandma gave her a chair, which she did love...probably because she could hold her spatula while sitting in it!

She also got a new wagon...which again she liked because she could sit in it and hold onto her other toys!

Thanks so much to Great Grandma & Grandpa Streets, Grandma and Grandpa Moon, Aunt Alyssa, Uncle Greg and Cousin Bea for all of our great presents!

Christmas Eve Lights

Thursday night before our Christmas Eve service we decided to check out a neighborhood that really does an amazing job with Christmas lights! Taylor loved walking around and seeing all of the lights. I think it is safe to assume Clark Griswold has retired to Arizona!

Also, just in the nick of time Taylor was able to see Santa! We hadn't taken her to see him, which my decision not to take her was validated...she did not want to go anywhere near him!

More COOKIES!

Last night I had my 3rd and final cookie baking party for the holidays! This one was at my friend Terri's...it is also the 5th year in a row that I've gone! (Oh wait..I think there was one year in there where we were back in IN...close enough!) Anyway, it has been such a favorite of mine and I look forward to it every year! This year we did it on a Saturday and Terri was nice enough to invite the families over for a yummy stuffed shells dinner and to get a sneak peek at our hard work! I can't list all of the cookies we made but I am guessing there were around 8-9 different kinds, we were very busy from about 2-7pm! Thanks so much Terri for another wonderful cookie party, I can't wait for next year!

Christmas Lights

I am on our Homeowners Association board of directors and proposed that we did a neighborhood Christmas light contest...it was a GO and tonight was the awards ceremony. Before the gathering we decided to walk Taylor around the neighborhood and show her all of the lights. We bundled her up in her warmest pj's (I mean it was 65 outside...a bit chilly), and took a walk around the neighborhood. These two pictures are taken at the winners house, you can't see how detailed it was but take my word for it...there wasn't much more they could do! After they were presented with 1st place, he told us it is actually set to music...like the houses you see online! We all walked back down there and watched the light show set up to music. It was very impressive and I think Taylor had a great time seeing all of the different blow ups and lights!

Train Park

Taylor and I met some of the girls from MOPS and their little ones at the Scottsdale Train Park. This was our first time going and we had a great time. There are a couple little playground areas, a carousel, and a train. We played at the playground for a little while, Taylor loved trying to climb up the end of the slide and then sliding the short way down saying "whoa"! After the playground we went on the carousel...I have decided this will from now on be a Daddy task. I did not like it at all and was pretty dizzy and sick by the time I got off! I guess I haven't been on one for a long time to know! And the picture is very deceiving..this was obviously taken before we took off! We went on a train ride next, Taylor really liked watching everything and waving to everyone as we went by.

Mom's Night Out

My MOPS group does a Mom's Night Out each month and we all take turns hosting and selecting an activity. This month was my turn and I figured what better activity in December than a cookie exchange! I made a bunch of sugar cookies and lots of frosting, we had such a great time decorating cookies and enjoying great conversation! I have really enjoyed getting to know the women in my group and am looking forward to everything else our MOPS group does this year! Thanks for coming over last night ladies, I can't wait to dig into the cookies!!

Vanguard Circus

In lieu of a Christmas party, Derek's company brings in the circus!! It was about an hour long and Taylor did pretty well. When we went into the tent they handed out goodie bags with all kinds of treats, from the one picture, you'll see Taylor really enjoyed snacking throughout the whole show! She started losing interest towards the end, however, the elephants came in and saved the day! She loved seeing the huge elephants up close!