Christmas and New Years

 Who doesn't enjoy a little marshmallow in a tutu running towards the playground?

 We spent Christmas Eve with the whole family at Mom's house, eating pizza, opening presents, throwing wrapping paper balls at each other...you know, the usual.

 And then this is what we usually look like:

 What a stud!! The kid loves to dress 'fancy'. He has been asking for a tie and bow tie since the school year started. Aunt Linda and Marissa came to the rescue!! They supplied him with both, which he has worn quite a few times.

 I wish I could've gotten more pictures of Christmas morning, but it was CHAOS! Most of the pics I do have are a blurry, pajama, mess of wrapping paper and toys. Next year, we have vowed to slow it down a bit. Not sure how that will work yet, but it will.
This girl is so routine, she had to have her cereal before she would open any presents.

 Here's a glimpse of our Christmas morning surprise, Santa brought Ethan a new bike and Lucy a stick horse

 She also got a stuffed puppy that needed immediate cuddling

 After opening gifts here at home, we hit the road to the parent's house and opened more there (we are so blessedly spoiled).
We dressed the kids up before we headed to dinner at the Brunson's

 It was fantastic, why can't Thanksgiving and Christmas happen more then once a year?
After dinner, we turned on Home Alone and Ethan and Grandma shared the laughs together.

 On New Year's Eve, we bundled up and went to the zoo for the electric safari. It was a great night to go, the chill wore off (a little) once we were in and walking around (helps that it's a lot of uphill hiking) and not crowded. Most of the animals were sleeping but the lights were beautiful and the animals that we did see were some of our favorites

 The zoo has been revamping the elephants' habitat so they have not been out for a long time. They were on display, kind of like a sneak peek, for the electric safari only. Then they'll be back when their new home opens in the spring. It will be beautiful! Both kids agreed that the elephants were their favorite animals that they saw.
 Although Ethan's favorite part of the whole experience was that Grandma and Papa were there. (I know, he'd something else)

 After the zoo, we came home where we had bought the ingredients for shirley temples for the kids and decided that we would just let them run crazy until they dropped or the ball did. Both made it to the 10pm drop on the East coast and went to bed. It was a very memorable New Years for Mike and I, and hopefully it was special for the kids too.

 Ethan trying out his new bike. I didn't realize how hard it is to teach a kid how to pedal! This is probably a daddy job.

Did anyone else hear angels singing tonight? There's something magical when they sit together, I can't get E to not pose when the camera comes out.