Time to decorate for Christmas!

The day after Thanksgiving we always decorate our house for the Christmas season. It is a family affair - Dad brings up all the decorations and tree. Then we turn on the Christmas music and put on our hats. Dad (with a little help from Dakota and Bailey) puts up the tree while RyAnne and Mom put up the Christmas decorations.

Bailey, handing the branches to Daddy.

Dakota, carefully putting on the lights.

Okay, Dakota and Bailey weren't that much help this year. They made more of a mess than anything. Once they were in bed Mom and RyAnne straightened up there mess and put the ornaments on the tree.

Anytime we go on vacation we buy an ornament that will remind us of that trip. RyAnne and I had fun reminiscing about our different trips. In this picture she is putting on an ornament from Chicago. We had fun remembering the White Sox game, Navy Pier and the rides, and the ferry ride on the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. You can also see the Mickey ears from our trip to Walt Disney World last March.

Another Zoo trip!

Since Dad was off hunting, and it was such a beautiful day, Mom took us to the zoo.

Smile!

Mom thought this would be a cute picture - you can tell what Zachary and RyAnne thought.

The lion got down from his rock and ROARED right in front of us. It was exciting!

Zachary's 12!

Dad made them eat cake and ice cream before presents.......cant you just tell what he's thinking!

Bailey and Dakota enjoyed it! Bailey kept screaming,"More!" After two pieces we cut her off.

Zachary REALLY wanted an iPod touch. His dad told him they are WAY too expensive. Here he is getting some snowpants. Another nice look!

That's better! He got his itouch (it was in the pocket of the snowpants)!

Kids Expo

We had fun at the Kids Expo.....feeding the goats, jumping in the bouncers, making wheelbarrow planters, and seeing many characters. Of course, Mom forgot her camera but we got one picture of RyAnne with the Wells Fargo dog! The best part was all the freebies:-)!

Grandma's Birthday!

Went to Grandma C's house tonight to have cake and ice cream for her birthday!

Grandma opening her gifts. This was the beautiful plate painted by RyAnne!

Henry Vilas Zoo

Today Grandpa and Grandma Carter, Mom, Dakota and Bailey went to the Henry Vilas Zoo. It was a bit chilly, somewhere around 50 degrees, but fun. We had the place pretty much to ourselves!

Dakota was mesmerized by this snake. It was moving around and flicking its tongue. He went back to it 3 or 4 times and stared!

Grandma was trying to draw his attention to the mammoth turtles but he was still thinking about that snake!

The alligator was right in front of the glass...it was freaky!

The brown bears were active.

After Grandma walked right under this macaw (she never saw it) Dakota and Bailey got a closer look.

We had to stop to see the giraffes since Bailey was one for Halloween!

As always, a stop at the park to play. They liked Grandpa scaring them in the tunnel the best!

Cinderella, a bat, a giraffe, and Bucky!

Mom and Dad prepared Dakota and Bailey an entire week for this night! We'd tell them, "You ring the doorbell and what do you say?" and they both would shout "TRICK OR TREAT!" and we were like "Yes, and then they give you candy!" Dakota would then lick his lips and Bailey would say, "Candy!"

Posing for pics before heading out! We spent the night trick-or-treating around Grandma and Grandpa Carter's neighborhood.

Waiting anxiously for the door to open!

Dakota checking out his goods!

Grandpa escorting RyAnne and Dakota to the next house.

After about a half an hour of walking, Bailey and Dakota decided to hitch a ride. Anyways, it was easier to check out their candy while riding in the wagon.

The kids had a "spook"tacular Halloween!

Pumpkin Carving

Bailey and Dakota had great fun digging in the pumpkins.

We pulled out some seeds to roast. This picture was taken right before Dakota dumped them back in the bowl!

Who can get the most pumpkin in one scoop?

Zachary's first year of designing and carving his own pumpkin!

Finished products. The one on the left Zachary carved all by himself. The rest (even though there are no pictures to prove it) were done by Mom!

Waterpark Fun!

Dad had a conference at Chula Vista Wednesday, so the family spent three nights at the condo and swam, swam, and SWAM!

Wednesday (while Daddy had to work - hee, hee) Grandma and Grandpa Carter came up and went swimming with us. Dakota LOVED to lie on Grandpa's belly in the lazy river. Here is a picture of Dakota tackling Zachary in the kiddy pool.

RyAnne...probably begging Mom to go on the watercoaster - AGAIN!

All tuckered out and ready to return to the condo to go to bed.....

....or swim again in the jacuzzi!

Good night! The bed at the condo is HUGE - there was actually room for Dad next to RyAnne. NO, this is NOT how we slept!

See RyAnne's Artwork!

RyAnne's artwork she does in school is posted on the web! See it by clicking the following link:

www.artsonia.com/RyAnne41