Christmas Eve

Do I dare go out on a limb and say that this was "the BEST Christmas EVER!" Having a little one brings so much joy and excitment to the holidays.

Here's how Christmas Eve went:

Love this family shot: (yes, her first "up 'do")

Cousins and best friends:

The group shot! We share Christmas Eve at my parents:

Child swap...They *love* their uncles!

We opened some early gifts, so the girls could play

Plus, we wanted a distraction prior to Santa's visit...

Saying *cheese* by her new tower! She loves to stack!

We were nervous about Santa coming since earlier in the week,

it looked like this:

But she was super brave (and Tay was a champ!)

Even a hug:

And a kiss (lucky Santa!):

Then we played dress up with Tay...

Leighton didn't think it was a good idea:

The mess we left at Grammie & Papa Botkin's:

Back at home.

The last shot after we put out the reindeer oatmeal and sparkles outside...

And of course, we had to put out cookies, milk and carrots for Rudolph...

Don't be fooled: that's excitement on her face!

Boat Parade

1 week prior to Christmas we were in a boat parade!

Jon's parents live on a lake in Gilbert; each year everyone decorates their boats, then parades around the lake. Families gather around and we throw candy out....and enjoy the view! So fun and definitely a new family tradition! I love this!

Special headbands just for the parade!

Yes, you need mittens in AZ (....just to hold a cool brewski!)

Lassaks and girls!

Auntie Summie and Tay

The girls with their "say cheese" face on!






About 30 boats were part of the parade....what a fun night!

Getting smarter...

Me: "Leighton, please don't turn the light off anymore. Leave it on"
Leighton: "Ok, mama...but my baby turn it off"

It's Beginning...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.....well, more than beginning. I've been done with shopping for awhile...we're just waiting for the big day and Santa's arrival!

Christmas Photo Shoot 2010

My faves...














http://www.behindthelensphotographers.com/

Leighton Turns Two!

Leighton has a minor, no major, obession with airplanes,

so there was no doubt she would have an airplane party!

I'm so proud of my homemade invitations...

I call them my "burst of creativity":

Here's the cake...

Leighton actually blew out her candle...it was adorable!

Leighton loves the "Happy Birthday" song, too!

Listening to her song:

I made each kiddo a PILOT ID BADGE.

Here's Taylor's:

Here's Leighton's (upside down)...

Most of the day, Leighton actually had

this face: overwhelmed and two years old!

We had a good time anyway!

The happy parents at the park!

And we opened gifts...

Grammie got her a tricycle that holds her baby too!

She thought that was pretty neat!

Mommy opened the rest:

And tested a couple:

So did the kids:

We ate cake...Taylor's favorite part

But most of the day, we just hung out at the park...

And relaxed...

Taylor got to relax with Leighon's baby: what a treat!

Baby Noah:

Lincoln:

Emily:

And Zach (our arranged marriage for Leigh-Bug):

Two years old came way to fast!

Thanks to everyone who celebrated our miracle with us!