Sunday, January 17, 2010

Zoo 1/8/2010







Zoo 1/8/2010
















Cardinals Play-off Game

Brian and I had the opportunity to watch what most people would probably consider the most exciting NFL game this year. Phoenix was able to squeak past Green Bay for the win. Unfortunately they lost the following week to New Orleans.





Hippen Christmas

Great Grandma and Grandpa Hippen, Papa Hippen, and Allie Having fun with papa.





Christmas in Tecumseh (Dec 26)

Reading stories before bed. The rocking chair belongs to my mom. Still in good shape. Playing with stickers with Aunt Amanda.

Eating apples and peanut butter.


Lacing cards with "blue" grandma. If Allie doesn't know your name or she wants to distinguish you from someone else, she will call you by the color of your shirt.




Christmas Day in Nebraska

At the hotel, Froggy posing for a picture. Rearranging the presents.

Attempting to take a present with her.


Having fun in our room.




Christmas in Arizona

Santa visited our house the Saturday before Christmas. Allie was excited to open ALL the presents. On Sunday morning she woke up and said, "OK, lets go downstairs and open more presents." She thought it was going to be our new daily ritual.





Desert Dawn Christmas Party

Eating cookies.
Still working on the cookie.

Looking at Santa.
Allie really liked Santa from a distance. She was waving and yelling, "Santa, say hi to my mommy!" Once she had the opportunity to go sit on Santa's lap, though, it was a different story. She was happy to give Santa a high-five which was followed up with "knuckles". She started a trend and it wasn't long before Santa was receiving knuckles from all of the 2-3 year olds.





Bath Time


Emotions

Chilling out.
Mad that I was taking her photo.

Laughing at daddy.


My New Favorite


I think this picture is probably more current favorite of Allie. Once again she's sporting the disc and hat.
Allie playing dress up with the Parriott girls. The whole outfit was her idea, including the disc around the waist.








Phoenix Zoo, November 2009






Happy New Year!

I realize it was before Thanksgiving the last time I posted anything. But as you will be able to tell from the pictures we've been fairly busy.

First off, I want to wish you all a Happy New Year! 2009 was a great year for us. God blessed us in so many ways. We have much to be grateful for.

We spent Thanksgiving with our friends Brian and Erica. They have two girls, Mya and (big) Allie. The two Allie's actually go to the same school. It was a great time. We appreciate them inviting us over to share such delicious food.

The beginning of December found us going to birthday and Christmas parties. We had Mazey and Isabella for a weekend too. Allie had a blast playing with the older girls. I don't think she knew what to do with all of the attention.

We left Christmas day to go back to Nebraska. Due to a snowstorm, we were stuck in Omaha for the night. We ended up staying at the Hilton and having Christmas dinner at the hotel bar. Allie learned how to throw coins into a fountain and make a wish. She ended up emptying her dad's pockets from all of her requests for more coins. She didn't get to open any presents on Christmas day but it wasn't due to lack of effort. The hotel had a tree in the lobby that had wrapped presents under it. She pushed, carried, and shuffled those things the entire time we were there. She'd ask, "Please, open a present!" I felt sorry for her at the time, but those thoughts quickly faded once we reached Tecumseh and she was bombarded with gifts.

The rest of our time in Nebraska was a lot of fun. Brian and I watched The Blind Side. Amazing movie if you haven't seen it. Though that recommendation is coming from someone that's been in the theater a total of 2 times in the past 33 months!

Allie loved going to my grandparent's soda fountain. What a special treat for a little girl! She had fun seeing all of her family. It is amazing how well she knows her way around Tecumseh considering she's only 2 and lives 1,000 miles away.

We returned home to sunny Arizona on January 1. Brian and I were back to work on the 3rd and Allie headed back to school.

We hosted a Christmas party for all of our flight school friends shortly after we returned. It was great fun to see everyone. Doesn't happen as much as it used to, so it is always a treat when we can. When we met their were two kids in the bunch - Jace and Mazey. Now we are at 9!

We've also been to the zoo, a Cardinals game and birthday party since we've been home. Allie has been involved in swimming since September. We go to that every week. She's not swimming under water and floating on her back. Can you tell we're a busy family!