McKinley Jane and Grant Alan

We went to a Christmas Pageant put on by a church over in North Phoenix and it was awesome! We've gone the last 3 years with my parents/Chad's parents, but this was the babies first time and they were enthralled the whole time. McKinley watching the flying angels with Grandpa Ted Visiting all the animals after the show We also went to the Electric Light Parade....not such a good idea. We had many things working against us...it was bedtime, it was cold, and it was PACKED. Maybe in about 5 more years we'll do it again. They slept through 95% of the parade so they weren't impressed

Since they were so little last year and on RSV precautions we weren't able to go see Santa so this was a first! It was opposite of what we thought...Grant was just fine with the strange man, McKinley cried. Afterward they got to decorate cookies and enjoy eating some frosting.

We did our annual family Christmas Tree decorating event on Thanksgiving weekend and this year was much different than last! Last year they were both screaming and I finally had to put them in the Baby Bjorn while I decorated the tree to get them to stop. This year they loved "helping" out while we got everything out. Grant hanging his baseball ornament "Helping"....

My parents come up each December and we like to use our time seeing all the Christmas shows/lights and usually take a trip up to Sedona. It actually snowed up there this time but luckily we had a 2 bedroom condo so we could just hang out by the fireplace and watch movies. Our favorite activity was the Out of Africa zoo which even the babies loved. It's a very interactive zoo so the animals are close by so they could actually see them. They cracked up at the lions catching the meat the handler was throwing to them. We had a close animal encounter when an ostrich decided to attack McKinley's stocking hat, but luckily everyone was okay! Grant loving the big jacuzzi tub with the light show. They took about 3 baths a day in that thing! Enjoying some movie time. Notice I had to bribe Grant with the telephone so that he would be quiet. McKinley loves Papa Jack and likes to use him as her personal jungle gym Cuddle time with Granny I'm amazed at how much we look alike in this pictu...

So I'm way out of order in posting these, but here are some pics from Thanksgiving and the ASU v. U of A game. Grandpa Ted, Grandma Julie and Uncle Tyler came over for Thanksgiving and then we had Todd and Katy over to watch the big ASU game...unfortunately they lost. Uncle Tyler and McKinley Grant after a big thanksgiving meal Sitting at the table like big kids!

Check out her sweet, pink boots! Of course his trusty firetruck goes everywhere with him Fingerpainting in cool-whip--fun AND delicious!

Chad and I had both been baptized when we were younger, but never by immersion which is what our church requires to become members. We decided to take the "plunge" on probably the coldest day ever in Phoenix! It was a private ceremony performed by Kevin, who runs the childrens ministry Chad volunteers for. My parents were able to be there, along with a couple of other guys that Chad volunteers with in the childrens ministry and of course the babies.

Here are some more Christmas pics that I got off my Dad's camera. We had our 15 month pediatrician appointment and Grant weighs 19 1/2 lbs which puts him at 3rd percentile for weight and 50th percentile for height (adjusted age). McKinley weighs 18 1/2 lbs which puts her at 5th percentile for weight and 70th percentile for height (also adjusted age). Grant's starting to get braver and taking a couple of steps...he might walk before Kindergarten yet! Lots of pics will be coming your way soon because of all our Christmas activities! My nieces and nephews minus my nephews Colby and Trevor who weren't able to make it but were definately missed!