GIBBONS' 0 vs. WINTER WEATHER 1

Well, I guess one more post....
We were at the Phoenix Airport on time this morning to catch our flight to Seattle, but didn't make the flight. Apparently Alaska Airlines was so back-logged with luggage from cancelled flights that they weren't accepting any pets arriving in Seattle. It was taking them several hours to process pets that were coming in and that was too long to leave them out in the winter weather on the tarmac, hence a pet embargo in Seattle. And since we didn't have a back-up plan for Elli, we had to re-schedule for the next available time - Christmas morning! So, we're back in Yuma now, making arrangements for Elli to be kenneled while we're gone and trying to figure out how we're going to fill the huge void of things to do in Yuma over the next couple days!! I guess we'll always remember the first (and probably last) time we tried to fly over the holidays!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Merry Christmas!

This will be my last post until the new year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!


Tree Lighting Ballet Performance
The kids had so much fun. Gracie couldn't stop hopping around!

Gracie helping out with dishes.
A few early Christmas gifts...

Good Eater

Visit with Santa

It's a good thing we're not paying for our Santa visits because once again, the kids were terrified! Gracie has been talking about seeing Santa all week. She wanted to sit on his lap tell him that she's been a good girl and that she wants a pink princess dress, but as soon as she saw him she looked like a deer in headlights! :) And Emmett, he just tried to get away! This was the best picture they took (we were at the bowling alley on Post).

Colorado River Hot Air Balloon Festival

Last Saturday morning we got up at 5 and headed to town for the sunrise hot air balloon launch. The kids loved it! It was small-time compared to the week-long event in Albuquerque (maybe next year), but for our first hot air balloon festival, it was great!

Fun in Phoenix (except for a few hours watching football!)

We met my parents and some friends in Phoenix last weekend. We stayed in a great house that had a heated pool - as you can see, the kids (big and small) loved it!

While we were in town, we went to see the Cougs play at ASU - the only less than exciting part of our weekend. :(
Gracie with friend Barbara.

Byron trying to find something more fun to do than watch the game.

At least the sunset was nice.

We also made a little time to take the kids to the park.

We've Been Busy

Saturday we went to the Children's Festival of the Arts in downtown Yuma. We met our friends there and had a great time exploring with the kids. It's right up Gracie's alley - face painting and lots of crafting! :) It's right up our alley because it's all free! Emmett just wanted to run - anywhere away from us, so he spent a lot of time looking at the big fire trucks.

Monday night we had Ellie and Samantha over for a sleepover (the first for the little girls). We went bowling which everyone loved, except Emmett who tried one time, then said that's enough! We spent the rest of the evening chasing him around the bowling alley (fortunately, it's a very small bowling alley!).

Jason, teaching Gracie how to use the digital camera - not too bad for her first attempt! :)

Now, we're off to Phoenix for the weekend to meet my parents and Byron and Barb Rickert for Cougar football. Don't worry, we'll fill our free time with lots of fun activities so we don't have to remember the less-than-par football game!

Emmett's 18-month Check-Up

Yep, Emmett's still a big kid! He had his check-up today and the doctor took one look and the bruises and scratches on his shins and said, "He looks like a pretty busy kid!". We couldn't deny it. :-)
Here's how he measures up:

Weight: 30.2 lbs (91st %tile)
Height: 35.6 in (99th %tile)
Head: 100th %tile (poor kid with the big head - at least he's proportionate!)

Both kids are doing great. We're busy trying to find Christmas gifts that will help Emmett burn energy without harming people (he tests out every object by hitting with it!) If you have a boy and have ideas - we'd love to hear them!

Cowboy and Ballerina

Happy Halloween! (and a few other pics)

We had a great Halloween. Our friends came over for pizza and then we took all the kids out for a little trick-or-treating and to the Haunted House (big kids only!). Emmett did great and kept up with the older kids pretty well. We were all exhausted at the end of the evening, so mission accomplished! :)

Trick-or-Treating with friends The Pavey's
Pictured: Emmett, Gracie, Ellie, & Samantha with dad Calvin

Emmett, not so sure about the strangers who want to give him candy, but willing to take it anyway!

Waiting for Samantha to come out of the haunted house. Note Emmett's glassed-over eyes. :)

Not from Halloween, but I thought this was cute. Emmett building up his muscles by pushing Gracie around the yard.

Gracie and friend Nathan, enjoying a snack while the dads try to find deer in their scopes (they didn't see any living creatures except for one quail a half-mile away!).

Pre-Halloween Fun

Friday afternoon we carved our pumpkins and put a few decorations up in the yard - maybe we'll get more than 4 trick-or-treaters this year! Friday evening the Base sponsored a Fall Festival with lots of activities, free food, and candy. The kids had a great time in their costumes and playing with their friends.

Carving PumpkinsReady for the Fall Festival - Cowboy Emmett

Ballerina Gracie

Playing with friend "Princess" Madison at the Fall Festival

Trying out the hoola-hoop

It's a GIRL!

We had our official ultrasound yesterday and everything looked great - our technician was very thorough, so we saw all the organs and appendages. We also decided to find out the sex of the baby this time - it's a girl! She was very active, but gave us a clear view and there's no question that she's a girl! The bottom half of the image below shows her face and hand. I had my monthly check up today and have finally gained some weight (4lbs) - otherwise all was good.