Zoolights

One of the activities on our Christmas countdown was to go see the lights at the zoo.  Collin was so excited and kept talking about the animals.  We loved the lights, but I think Collin was a little disappointed that we didn't get to see more animals.  We did get to see the new Rocky Shores exhibit.  Not all of the animals there were out, but a couple were.  It was a pretty cold night, and I think that is why it wasn't too crowded.  Yes, there were other people, but it could have been much worse! We had a great time! Here's some pictures:

Waiting for the spotted seal to swim by. 

A tunnel of lights!

Checking out the sleeping tiger.

Our Gingerbread House

This year I decided to do a "Countdown to Christmas!"  I made us an activity-a-day countdown.  Some of the things I included are: watch a Christmas movie, read Christmas stories, make Christmas cookies, cut out snowflakes, see the elves at Gardner Village, etc.  One activity was to make a gingerbread house.  I found an icing recipe that was called "gingerbread house glue" and whipped up a batch.  Collin was way excited.  First Greg and I put the walls together while Collin checked out all the decorations.  Then we waited for that to dry.  By that time, Collin was mostly done.  So Greg and I each took a turn to decorate and then Collin wanted in and finished off the house.  Here's some pictures:

Greg making icicles

Collin lining up the gum drops.

Finished house!

HOORAY!!

Collin's 3rd Birthday!

Collin is 3!  3!  Where does the time go?  My little guy is getting big too fast.  This year I wanted to save some money, so decided to do the party at our apt.  Now our apt isn't that big.  It works for us right now, but we can't have 25 people over.  Not gonna happen.  So I decided to split his birthday.  We did friend party on Saturday Dec 1st in the morning and family party Sunday Dec 2nd in the evening.

For friend party we had a monster theme.  We invited just a few friends.  I think the kids had fun.  First we had the kids put on their monster belly shirts and then decorate monster masks.

Making monster masks.  Greg laughed at the "hovering" moms.

After getting his monster gear on, Collin would roar at the camera every time!

4 of the 5 kids in their monster stuff by the monster wall.

We played feed the monster.

Collin's "rawr!" and Lindsey feeding the monster!

Then we played monster bowling.  

Collin monster bowling.

Next we had a snack.

Cute True throwing the monster ball.

Opening presents!  He was way excited about his super heroes.

The next day was his actual birthday.  We had our families over for dinner and presents.  We had homemade cinnamon rolls, a sausage breakfast casserole and some fruit.  Collin was completely spoiled.  Here's some pictures:

Cousin Chandler helped Collin set up his train set!

Aunt Cassie's gift of the Toy Story truck that shoots pizzas was a huge hit!

Collin loves the whale from the Donks.

"A DS!!!"  He was way excited for a Nintendo DS.  And now Cousin Chase gets his back.