New Years in Florida

We were lucky to spend a fun filled week in Florida right after Christmas.   Andy and his girlfriend, Luci, from Uruguay, were also able to come.  The weather was so nice that I actually had to go and buy the kids some shorts and short sleeved shirts.  Enjoy!

The kiddos enjoying technology as we wait for the long airplane flight.  Colton is on the iPad and Kinley is playing on the Leap Pad.

 We got in pretty late, but the next day when Andrew and Luci arrived, it was time to have a second Christmas.  Deb and David waited to open their gifts so that we could all open them together.  The kids were spoiled yet again to the point where Deb had to actually mail two big boxes to our house because we couldn't fit it all in our luggage.

 

That same day, the kids were excited to get right in the pool.  Due to our cold weather, they had been missing the pool since October.  It didn't take long for them to jump right in.  

 

 Grandpa played with Kinley in the pool.

The next day, Deb and I took the kids down to the beach.  We stopped at a neat little nature hike that had a butterfly garden and lots of trails.  Colton and Grandma found this turtle hole and when Colton got close enough, he could see the big turtle in it's hole.

 

We then hit the beach and met Andy and Luci there.  Kinley insisted on carrying the sand bucked and is telling us to stop and wait for her.

 

 Kinley jumped right on Andy when she saw him.  Here we are waiting for the shuttle bus to pick us up and take up to the beach area.

A dog showed up and Kinley became fascinated with it.  Truth be told, I think the dog was much more scared of her then she was of it.

 

Kinley playing hide and seek behind the pole.  

 

I see you!

 

Once we got to the beach, Colton headed right for the water.  He walked right into it even though it was pretty cold.  He and Grandma also searched for seashells on the beach and came home with some pretty cool ones.

 

Uncle Andy and Colton on the ride back from the beach.  Colton LOVES his Uncle Andy....they are so silly together!

 

 

There are a few things that we can always count on and love when we visit Grandma and Grandpa Gant.  First, Deb makes the best sugar cookies and the kids love to help her.  Here they are helping by putting sprinkles on them.

Kinley is laughing at something that Grandma Deb said....too cute!

 

More time in  the pool.  The kids spent nearly everyday playing in the warm pool.  Here Daddy decides to use the pool noddles as a water splashing game.  See the video below to see what I mean.

 Grandma and Grandpa's good friends, the Erners, bought a house just down the street.  This fancy golf cart is one of Jim's new toys and Grandpa couldn't wait to take Colton for a ride.  Colton couldn't wait either.

 Grandpa let Colton help him drive.

 Eric got in on the fun as well.  Here they are taking a drive down the street.

 

We took the kids to see the Manatees one day.  We got lucky and saw a few bobbing their heads up and down.

 

This Manatee park was really neat.  There were lots of places to stop and listen all about the Manatees.  Here Luci and Colton are taking a listen.

 

I love this picture....just look at Kinley and Grandma.  Kinley is pulling Grandma and telling her to come with her.  This girl is not shy about what she wants to do and how.

 

 Andy's turn with Kinley.  She ran everyone ragged this day :).

 Another thing that I look forward to when visiting with the Gants, David's cooking.  He insisted that I sit down and relax as he made me a yummy grilled cheese sandwhich, one of my favorites.

 Something that everyone looks forward to and Eric requests at least a couple times each trip, is his dad's famous waffles.  David uses a waffle iron this is nearly 30 years old and makes the best waffles!  It reminds me of one that my mom had when we were growing up.  

The finished product.  So yummy and so relaxing to sit out of the patio in the 80 degree weather in January enjoying some delicious food.

Funny video of Eric getting the kiddos all wet.

Christmas in Nevada 2012

We had a wonderful Christmas, much different than last year when I had a broken leg and was sleeping in a recliner chair.  The kids are getting so big and with that comes bigger kid toys.  Both Colton and Kinley loved what they got and are very lucky to have such generous grandparents.

 We headed to Toys R Us on Christmas Eve day to pick up a few things.  While the kids played on the train, Daddy picked up some last minute items.  

 Colton showing Kinley some of the fun buttons to push on the train.

It has become a tradition in the Gant house to make sugar cookies on Christmas Eve for Santa.  Colton  has always loved to help out and Kinley got in on the act this year.

 Kinley right on top of the island and started cutting out the cookies herself.

 

 

The kiddos admiring the tree and deciding which one gift they want to open on Christmas Eve.

Colton helping Kinley open her gift.

Kinley patiently waiting for Daddy to undo all of the wires on her "mommy car."  I swear they make some of these toys parent proof, it takes several minutes trying to get them open!

 Colton opening his gift from Kinley.  We took the kids to the dollar store and let them pick out a couple dollars worth of toys for each other.  They had a lot of fun doing this and it will become another tradition that we will do each year.

Colton and Kinley showing off their cookies that they made for Santa.

 Colton's gifts from Santa.

 Kinley's gifts from Santa.

 Christmas morning, Colton was so excited to get a train table.  He went right to it and didn't want to stop playing until it was time to open up his gifts.

Both Kinley and Colton enjoy playing with her kitchen.  They like to serve us food and have tea parties.

 Kinley's big wheel and her princess tiara.  She received some dress up clothes and accessories and nearly kept this tiara on all morning.

Colton and his Spiderman bike.  Kinley was ready to try it out as well.

 

Colton showing how happy he is. 

 Colton helping Kinley open presents.

  Playing together....love this picture.

 Happy Kinley with her doggie purse.  Have I mentioned how much this little girl loves girlie things?

We took the kiddos for some ice cream in the afternoon just to get them out of the house.  Kinley had almost all of her ice cream cone all over her face and shirt before she was done with it.


Cute video of the kiddos on Christmas morning.

 

Kinley's mad crib skills

This is a video of our miss Kinley showing how she gets into and out of her crib.  She was 18 months old when I recorded this video.  Too cute!

Christmas in Utah 2012

We headed to Utah on the Friday before Christmas.  We had our annual Leatherwood Christmas party that night at Jeff and Mubb's house.  We also spent time at my sister Lisa's house making gingerbread houses, or trains in Colton's case.  It was a quick trip but fun and the kiddos had fun playing with their many cousins.  Enjoy!

Kinley loves sitting on Mitchell's lap.  First piece of evidence.

 

The cutie walking around.

 

Colton hanging out with Travis and Angie.

 

Colton wanted to help Kinley open her gifts.  Looks like Kinley has it all on her own.

 

Porter and Kinley getting something from Lisa.  These two cuties are 8 months apart with Porter being the older of the two.  Kinley found one of Luke's old cowboy hats and didn't want to take it off.

 

 The kids had fun putting gingerbread houses and trains together at Lisa's.   

Colton was so proud of his train, with mommy's help :).

A little while later, Colton had fun eating some of the candy off of his train.

 Kinley just had fun eating the candy before they were placed on the houses and trains.

 2nd piece of evidence that Kinley likes to sit on Mitchell's lap.

The Polar Express

We thought this would be the perfect year to take the kids on The Polar Express.  What a neat activity for the kids to be apart of, especially Colton, who is so into trains right now. We had to drive about three hours, into Williams, Arizona, which is one part of Arizona that gets cold and snow.  The kids had a great time and Colton can't wait to head back next year.  Enjoy!
 

 The kids in their pajamas posing outside (brrrr!) in front of an old train. 

This place had lots of places to take cute pictures outside....too bad it was just so dang cold.

Once on the train, hot chocolate and cookies were passed out and everyone sang Christmas songs together....much like the movie, Polar Express. Kinley was a fan of the hot chocolate!

 

After we  went to the North Pole and saw Santa and his Elves outside on his sleigh, Santa surprised us and came and had a moment with each child on the train and gave everyone a silver bell. 

 Colton was mesmerized by Santa.  I love this picture of Santa giving Colton his bell.