The Lights Before Christmas

We were busy today with Pa Pa here! We went to church and then went for the first time to Maggie's Family Restaurant which is right down the street from us. The kids ate like nobody'd ever fed them before, which I guess speaks well for Maggie's. Seriously, everything was delicious and the place was pretty packed. After our break, we had a snack (since we were still full) and headed to the Lights Before Christmas at the zoo. Most of us had a really good time. Carrie got really cold towards the end, and she wanted popcorn, and she was tired, and basically just needed something to complain about. Plus the fact that she didn't really eat before we left... and then as we were leaving she needed to find a bathroom. While she was in her snowpants. And crying about being cold. But really, we did have a wonderful time! Just don't ask her about it. =P What a stinkwad. (There, Sharon, I said it again... tell your mom! Haha!) So here are the pictures. And y'all need to be thanking Dada on a regular basis for buying me a laptop so I can do this more regularly! Keep the kudos coming! And have a great last day of 2007! Be safe and merry this New Year's Eve! =)

Here's Dada pushing Liam, otherwise referred to as the kid from A Christmas Story who couldn't put his arms down. He looked like that the entire time we were at the zoo. Only he sank even lower into his coat. By the end of the night, he was still in the same pose, but you could only see from his upper lip to his forehead. Poor kid! And there's PaPa pushing an excited Care Bear, in her skeleton gloves. It was pretty cold, but not windy. And there was no rain/ snow/ sleet/ yuck falling from the sky, so we picked a great night to go! Never mind that it's also the next to the last night of the whole thing...

One of the first displays we saw was this lovely purple tree.

This was the highlight for me. I forget what kind of pine tree they said it was, but I think I heard the number 80,000 in regards to the lights. See the dark shapes in the bottom right? Those would be "people things" as they call them in "The Gods Must Be Crazy," so it gives you a slight idea of how ginormous this tree really is. Truly one of those "how do they DO that" moments.

Some scale for that pine tree. See the building in the back right? This tree is immense!

Pretty trees with a big cat sneaking through them.

This tree has the blues!

We even found an owl for Grandmama

For our Muggin! It's Geoffrey! ;)

As you can see, there is a bear. There's also salmon swimming upriver that I just missed. Hinrew and Meredith, your photography jobs are safe. I'm no good at this!

These were the lights set to music. We happened to get there just in time for "I want a hippopatumus for Christmas" which is usually a huge hit with Carrie. The crowd really enjoyed it... there were people bebopping around and dancing and singing. Nicely done!

We4 at the end of our lights visit. You can see as much of Liam as we could, and you can see Carrie crying and being all Misery Moo-ish. At least We3 and Pa Pa enjoyed ourselves! Miss GrumpyGills can stay home next year with the meanest sitter we can find. =P

At last!

At last! A laptop! Weeeeeeeeeeee! So here are some pictures =D Pretty much a month in review. I plan on doing a year in review once I have time to think about the layout of it, so be watching for that.

Just got off the phone w/ Wendy and Liam is telling me, "want to talk. WANT TO TALK!" He doesn't believe me that she had to go and is already off the phone. Sorry, little buddy.

Carrie informed us that she can't wait until next Christmas already, and that it is a shame Santa only comes on Christmas. Good gravy! Like she didn't get enough stuff! These KIDS!

Enjoy the pictures! I hope to be MUCH better at blogging in '08! =)

Our pretty icy trees!

Carrie conked out with Dao at our Christmas party.

My babies!

He loves when we do this!

The kids wanted their picture taken too! I was dressed up for Dada's work formal. So fun to look like a girl!

My handsome hubby and I!

The kids, all ready for church on Sunday.

The girls were making French toast on Christmas morning.

Dada looooooooooooooooves Christmas!

Carrie giggling at Dada's Christmas cheer.

Liam "cheese"-ing for all he's worth. He has been sleeping with that ball. Guess that stocking stuffer was a hit!

Opening presents Christmas morning. Liam really enjoyed the spiral-ish bows. He'd pull them way up and watch them spring back. Carrie wanted to open everything, whether it belonged to her or not. And there is Triskal, pre-trim.

Cozy by the fire. (It was on, honest. You just can't tell from the picture!)

The tops of Liam's nesting penguins from Claire's. =) Of course his favorite is the tiny chick!