Jimmy * Esther * Zeke * Lilly

We had another wonderful Christmas this year, and thankfully Lilly waited until the day after Christmas to get sick.

It was fun wrapping the gifts from Santa the night before, we bought different paper for Santa’s presents.

Lilly got a doll from Santa, but her favorite things were the treats he left in her stocking!

Zeke only ever asked Santa for a bow and arrow for Christmas, and he was so excited to see Santa brought it for him!

I got Zeke and Jimmy Nerf guns, Jimmy has wanted some for a long time!

Jimmy took Zeke shopping with him, and had him pick something for me. At first Zeke said he thought I would like a soft sword, but decided on this necklace and earring set that I’m wearing in the picture. I love that he picked it out all by himself!

On Christmas Eve, we went caroling to a retirement  home with Jimmy’s family. They had this huge rocking horse in the lobby, and the kids loved it!

Zeke with his remote controlled Ninja turtle riding on a skate board :) I like the tradition my parents have on Christmas, one person opens a gift at a time, while we all watch, and are excited for them.

Lilly with her hamster that makes sounds, and runs around. She really likes it!

My nephew Marc loves trucks!

Christmas evening we went to Jimmy’s grandparents’.

Lilly with her great Grandma

Zeke with his gifts. We only got him the bow and arrow, and Nerf guns, he was spoiled by everyone else :)

Lilly got a lot of fun new things to play with too!

I love this nativity she got from Grandma Linda and Grandpa Dave! It plays “Away in a Manger”, and is so cute!

It was exciting to decorate our house this year! We didn’t get too many lights on the house, and it wasn’t until 2 days before Christmas until they were even up, but I sure enjoyed them!

We picked up Jimmy from work one night, and the kids had fun seeing where he works, and coloring on his white board.

Jimmy and his “shoulder angel”. We ate dinner at the Lion House Pantry, and Zeke did his little exercise on the back of Jimmy chair.

Then we walked around to see the lights, and Nativity on Temple square.

Then went to Grandma’s to play with cousins. :)

We went to Pirate Island Pizza in Orem to celebrate Dallin’s 4th birthday. It was a really fun atmosphere, it’s a lot like Chuckie-Cheese, but with pirates.

This was Zeke favorite game there.

Dallin with his cool dinosaur birthday cake made by his mom!

Zeke wanted to hold Lilly like a baby :)

Lilly still loves to be outside! Even if it’s freezing!

Zeke in his new coat. I thought his coat from last year would work this season, but he had a growth spurt this month. He says he looks older in his new coat since it’s a size 4.

They both love candy, but Lilly loves is more!

Zeke has become very protective of Lilly when we’re with other kids. If he sees someone take a toy Lilly had, he takes it back for her, and he guards her if he thinks anyone might pick on her. Lilly was getting mauled innocently by one of her friends trying to give her hugs, and Zeke stepped in between them, and wouldn’t let the friend touch Lilly. Zeke isn’t perfect, he likes to bug his sister quite a bit at home, but I love watching how he protects her in public. He loves her, and she idealizes him. She watches everything he does, and tries to be like him :)

We met some friends at the mall to play at the dinosaur playland, and see Santa. It was a lot of fun!

All the kids in line to see Santa: Trevan (my friend Jenni’s son), Hudson (my friend Kerrian’s son), Jakob (Jenni’s), Rylee and Irelynn behind Zeke (girls who Jenni babysits), Zeke, Lilly, and on the far right is Brooklyn (Kerrian’s daughter :)

The boys. It was cute to see them all together playing boy games :)

Before we left, we had to ride the carousel, it’s Lilly’s favorite!

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We went to the aquarium with some friends from our new neighborhood. The aquarium is always great!

Lilly, Zeke, Luke, and Halle.

Are there really penguins larger than Zeke? According to this exhibit there are.

Lilly is the size of the Gentoo Penguin

I love the penguins at the aquarium, they’re so much more lively than the ones at the zoo.

Zeke’s favorite part is always petting the sting rays (which is why I try to have him wear short sleeves when we go, even in the winter).