Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Joyce took us to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs and I think it is one of the best zoos I have been to. It is set against the Colorado mountains and all the animals seemed to be out and about and excited to see us.

Our favorite animal of the day was the Giraffes. They were very excited to eat our lettuce and got very close to us. I love Joyce's face in these two pictures.

We rode up the mountain on a sky ride and found that the top of the mountain was covered with snow.

On the sky ride we were able to see the bears, mountain goats and cougars.


I had fun taking pictures of the kids and of the tiger too.

Christmas dresses

Mom, thank you for the dresses. I took a bunch of pictures, but only this one turned out. My little models were not very cooperative. I like this picture though because it definitely shows their personalities.

Merry Christmas

Christmas morning was fun to watch our little ones get excited about their presents. S got the Lala Loopsy doll that she asked for, and J was surprised to find a bike.








It was fun opening presents with cousins!

Christmas Eve we went up to the park near Grandma Judy's house to play.






I wanted a group photo, but not everyone wanted to pose for my camera.



Later, we made Gingerbread houses. S and J were so excited to help decorate their houses, but they enjoyed eating the candy too.


Then we went to visit Daddy at the fire station. The girls love the fireman slide. They could spend the whole night just riding on the slide.


We love spending time with daddy.

We were all ready for Christmas morning when I got the best Christmas surprise. Steve walked in the door. Another firefighter offered to work his second shift for him so he could be with his family Christmas morning. I was really happy and very appreciative of that thoughtful firefighter!

Merry Christmas Eve!

Blackburn Christmas Party

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. At our Blackburn Christmas party we sang the 12 Days of Christmas, read Christmas stories, and passed out presents. We also had our Nativity pageant. Both S and J were angels this year, and S was able to hold the star that shone over baby Jesus. We ate pizza and salad and lots of yummy desserts.

Last week when S got out of Primary she was so excited to tell me that she was going to have breakfast with Santa.
"Mom I get to have pancakes and juice with Santa!"
So, this morning we woke up and went over to the church to eat with Santa. First the girls made Christmas tree ornaments, and then we got in line to meet Santa. S was as timid as always. She was so excited at first, but when it came time to go up there she wasn't so sure.







Luckily She did make it up there so she could tell Santa what she wants for Christmas.

Holiday Hoike

Today was S's Dance recital. It was a celebration of the dances of Polynesia. S has been taking Hula dance for the last couple months and today we were able to watch her perform.


One of the dances S did involved using a musical instrument called a Puili. Puilis are bamboo rhythm sticks.


This is S with her teacher Aunti K.


S's class.



ALOHA!