Let it snow!

Kansas welcomed us home with a light snow. 

Lily kept begging to play outside, while Mommy said "no way, it's too cold!"

Nanny came to the rescue, bundled Lily up and outside they headed.

(Mommy then felt guilty so bundled up too.)

Pure joy during her first little snowball fight.

Brrrrrrr.  We're not in Arizona anymore!

Zoo Lights

Zoo lights at the Phoenix Zoo was a success!

Lily loved all her favorite animals decked out in lights.

We liked the monkeys and giraffes best. 

She also enjoyed singing 'Jingle Bells' over and over again.

Mom and Dad would be ok if they never had to hear that song again!

Such a fun event. I believe we have a new Christmas tradition!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

A new tradition we started this year was an advent calendar using Christmas books.  

Each night of December, Lily opens one book to read before bedtime.

Not only is she warming up for Christmas morning with her present opening skills,

she is also learning about Santa, the meaning of Christmas, and the names of every reindeer (her favorite!).

It's been so sweet seeing the excitement on her face as she opens the book,

and even sweeter, seeing her cuddled in Daddy's arms!

Good friends

What a treat we had last weekend.

Lesley, Tyler, Alex, and Drew came for a visit!

Such a fun weekend just catching up plus keeping three kiddos entertained.

While Lily was at school on Friday, we took the boys to the Children's Museum.

Their favorite was the "fake food."

On Saturday, we treated ourselves to Dunkin Donuts.

These three kids were never as quiet as when they were shoving sugar into their mouths.

(Don't you just want to squeeze little Drew?  He is flipping adorable!)

Followed by a (cold) visit to the train park.

(Thanks for dragging the winter weather to AZ guys! 
And you forgot to take it back with you!)

Thankful for good friends, good conversations, and good times. 

Thanks for making the trek southwest...

...our turn to head towards Arkansas!

Post meal hike

To work off our yummy meal, we spent Friday morning hiking Pinnacle Peak.

Thanks to our neighbors for loaning us Lily's backpack.

She LOVED it and had a great time!

 And what's a hike without chips and hamburgers immediately following!

Happy Thanksgiving

We have lots to be thankful for this year.  Mostly that Lily actually made it to the dinner table after her first two attempts here and here.  And the fact that my parents and sister joined us for our first Thanksgiving away from home.

'helping' Mommy cook

1st time using my wedding china.  6 years later.

thankful for these two gals who are my best friends

and these two who constantly keep me laughing

and these two for being such great examples

 Happy Thanksgiving to all our family far away.

We are so thankful for each of you too!

Turkey day warmup

What better way to warm up for a Thanksgiving meal

than a little soccer playing in the beautiful Arizona weather!

love your sense of style, Lily!  

 We then ended with a little parade...

"march Nanny, march!"

 Now we are hungry and ready to eat!

Soccer

Lily started soccer practice a few weeks ago.

How cute are those little shin guards!?!

To wear both the dog and the daughter out we spend 

lots of time 'practicing' at our local soccer field.

one favorite game - Daddy kicks the soccer ball 'far away'

Lily then runs as fast as she can and retrieves it

with a big celebration hug when she gets back
so basically, we play fetch with our girl

sometimes all three fetch the ball

Lily loves showing off her dribbling skills

her trapping

and scoring a goal 

pretty cute lil soccer players!

Swings!

Yay for cooler weather!

Yay for revisiting our parks!

Yay for the swings providing endless fun!

And yay for sweet friends!