Winter Wonderland

One of my favorite family traditions is heading to Sedona for their Red Rock Fantasy light festival at the Los Abrigados resort. This year, I almost suggested skipping it and going to Zoo Lights instead (it was a busy weekend and we left for Sedona right after Bella's party). I am so glad we went as this year's trip was my favorite and so full of fun memories!

Since it was still light out when we arrived, we decided to explore the Oak Creek area which is becoming our favorite hiking spot!

The girls had a blast throwing rocks into the creek.
My 'big kid' showing them how it's done!

Finally, it was dark enough to see the lights and get our hot cocoas! I love taking a break and watching the dancing trees set to music!
This year we finally found the s'mores fire- yummy!The Santa at Red Rock fantasy is my favorite! (and there are never any lines.)

Bella's WILD birthday party

Bella is turning 7 this week and we celebrated with a 'Wild' party with family and friends! Bella had SUCH a good time with her cousins, new friends plus all of her old playgroup friends.

It was a breakfast party so we started with donuts and OJ (and bagels and coffee to appease the adults for an early start!). :)

Attentively waiting for the show

When asked which animals she wanted at the party, Bella quickly replied that she wanted the frog (appropriately named Jabba).
Out of all the cute animals that she could have, Bella wanted this thing??

Luckily, there were also other cute and interesting animals!Bella holding a baby bunny (in a sack for it's comfort and security)

Camille brushing her baby bunny- she sat here for at least 20 minutes!

Papa and Julia petting the Skink.

Cousin Madison with the baby bunny!

Isaac and Camille with the box turtle.

Julia and her BFF Ashlynn.
GG telling Bella that the turtle would make good turtle soup! GG (who has a funny, dry sense of humor) is known to not be a fan of critters! :-)

Happy birthday Bella!

"Hide" and Seek

Spending all day with Camille makes my cheeks hurt from smiling and laughing. Her newest game is Hide and Seek...but she hides in the exact same spot EVERY time and only hides her eyes while her little body is in plain sight. Seriously, I cannot get enough of her!

The good and the bad

The good
Camille is in a big girl bed and we are done with one more "baby" item. Yay!

The bad
Camille is in a big girl bed and naps are a nightmare and much (much) shorter!

Trick or Treat

Halloween seems to be more fun every year as the girls grow older AND watching it from a toddler's eyes all over again (especially a toddler who LOVES lollipops!.

Our festivities started with the school Fall carnival...

Camille loved all the animals, of course

while Bella loved the bounce slideand Julia was allowed to go off with her friends by herself (a first for her, and quite difficult for me!). It felt so odd to hand her a fistful of tickets and send her on her way without me!*Unsuccessfully trying to dunk the good principal!

Then off to the Lamis family Halloween party!
Chet's parents, Nanny and Papa, go all out every year and make it such a fun tradition!

Our pirate, 50's girl and little pumpkin. Bobbing for apples
Finally- after many, many tries! Luckily it was a hot day!Camille didn't get why it was so hard- she dunked her face and then just grabbed it and ate the entire apple. :)

And on to the big event- Trick or Treating and even more candy!

I love this picture of all 3 peering in to see if someone is coming!

My mom- who comes to visit for Halloween every year.
The walk home...

to check out their loot!