Zuri at 18 Months

 

 

 

We can't believe that Zuri is already 18 months old.  She has turned in to such a cute little toddler with her own distinct personality.  She is very independent and loves to be doing just what the big kids are doing.  We struggle getting her to eat much, but at her last check up she was right in the lower average range for weight so we try to not worry about it too much.  She loves her baby dolls, purses, and shoes and can often be seen carrying something girly around as we pick up the other kids from school or take them to practices.  She will often point out something "pretty" she is wearing to anyone around us.  She has a lot of spunk and can often be heard yelling "no" as she takes off in a full run the opposite direction.  Her hair is pretty much the same length as Rori's which is so funny since we have only ever barley trimmed Rori's hair.  We are very excited that now that Zuri is 18 months old she can go to Nursery at Church.  She seems so little, but it has gotten exhausting chasing her in the halls the last few months so it is a welcome change.  We have been watching her talking quite a bit because of everything with Rori and so far we feel like she is doing well.  She has lots of words and is repeating a lot of things.  We love this little girl so much and can't get enough of her hugs and kisses. 

It's the Holiday Season

It has been nice having a little more time in between Thanksgiving and Christmas for us this year.  I feel like we've been less rushed and had more time to enjoy things.  Things like...

Decorating the House and Tree (Kai and Rori put up almost all the ornaments themselves):

The AGBell Christmas Party (where Rori willingly sat on Santa's lap for the 1st time and Zuri began the terrified of Santa stage.  All the kids came home with tons of gifts):

 

 

Our Church Christmas Party:

Elfie Arrived on December 1st and Has Had Some Great Hiding Spots (we often leave crafts, letters, books etc. as gifts for him):

 

 

*Note Zuri trying to copy Rori's pose in this one

 

 

Danced and drank hot chocolate by the District's Huge Christmas Tree

Started basketball practice for Kai:

Checked out the Cowboy Christmas animals and goodies at the Convention Center (one of the things happening in conjunction with the Nation Rodeo Finals that are here in town):

Even Getting in Some Snuggles:

Lance turned in stuff for Finals and attended last classes!!!

We've driven around and looked at lights a few times and it has been pretty neat to have all 3 kids really engaged in the holiday.  It is so funny to hear Zuri yell out from the back seat when she sees lights, or repeatedly tell us how "Santa nice" but answer a quick "no" if you ask her if she wants to sit on his lap.  Rori really seems to be understanding Christmas so much more this year.  It was 1 year ago that her hearing aids got set properly and we really do feel like she has taken such huge strides forward since then in what she is understanding and able to communicate.  She is asking lots of questions about the Holiday's, requesting certain Christmas songs, and having so much fun finding Elfie each morning.  Kai seems to be studying out everything a little more this year.  We are still in the clear, but he is such a little thinker that we are going to have to be on our toes.  He is desperate to watch every holiday show on TV that we can record, enthusiastic about everything Christmas related, and a tad bit nervous about making sure everyone stays on the nice list.        

We have a few more gifts to work on, some treats and other things to make for schools, 1 more huge paper for Lance, and Lance's work party still to go, but we're getting there.  

Rori's Fall 2012 Fieldtrip

Back in November Rori's class went on a fieldtrip to the Children's Museum here in Las Vegas.  Zuri and I and several other parents/ younger siblings from the class got to join them.  We had never been there before so we were excited to go.  The kids had a lot of fun exploring and checking everything out.  Zuri was sure she was an official member of the class and happily did whatever the big kids were doing.  Thankfully Rori is very loving and patient with her.  I don't know that I would make the effort to go back again on our own as it is in a bit of a rough neighborhood and would be a little too yong for Kai, but it was a good place for a preschool fieldtrip.  They are in the process of building a new one though in a different location, so maybe we'll have to try out the new one someday.  Here are some pictures from the day:

Other Scattered November Happenings

Zuri had a play date with her buddy Ashlyn (they are just a few days apart) while her Mom helped out at her sisters school:

Twinner SuperGirl jammies thanks to Aunt Peg that the girls LOVE:

And because they are just so "prettyful" as Rori has been heard saying lately:

These two are pretty handsome as well. Kai recently told us that his reading group at school is named "The Professors". Makes a Daddy proud. Yeah for this self named top reading group that is made up of 3 boys that also happen to be best buds that push each other in the best way. When asked why they picked that name Kai said "Well we like to read and ... (pause) we are the smartest." Now to work on humble.

We got to have dinner at Hash House A Go Go with my kindergarten on best bud Jen and her husband Sean when they came in town.  So fun to catch up:

Mr. Scarecrow made his annual Fall appearance.  Zuri is at a stage where she pretty much refuses to cooperate in taking a picture...sigh....:

 

Thanksgiving Birthday

Lance's actual birthday fell on Thanksgiving this year.  He claimed that he thought that was great since he didn't have to work, there was a huge meal, and it kicked off a long 4 day weekend.  We took a chocolate cake to him at work the day before and then did candles with a pie on the actual day.  He and I went out the weekend before for dinner and a movie which is something we never do so that was fun.  We saw the new Abraham Linclon movie which we both really enjoyed.  Lance has been in charge of the Turkey the last few years and he does a great job.  It was moist and delicious.     

We kept up with the tradition of the last few years of my parents and Whitney coming to Vegas to celebrate with us. It was great to have them in town and have them get to be with us for school pick-ups, playing, eating, and some shopping.  We're really grateful that they were willing and able to make the trip to be with us in our world for a bit.  All holidays are going to be a little extra hard this year, so it is good to be busy and with family.

One of the best parts of the trip was seeing how well Whitney was doing. Her eye surgery recovery has been long, but it is fun to see her enjoying things again now that she can see better and probably feels so much better. Zuri was her little buddy the whole time which was so cute. Whitney was very good about Zuri constantly wanting to be right next to her. Zuri would hand her toys, follow her around, and generally try to be with her all the time. Zuri can't wait to be back with her buddy again at Christmas time. We took a bunch of pictures of my parents and the kids on Thanksgiving morning, but I think my parents are going to use some for their Christmas cards so we'll save that for later.  Here are some of the others though: