Bearizona

     After our adventure to the North Pole, we spent the night in Williams, AZ.  On Sunday morning, we decided to visit Bearizona before driving down to Phoenix.  Bearizona is a new attraction in Williams.  It is a drive-through animal park and zoo.  We weren't exactly sure what to expect, but friends had assured us that it was worth a visit.  We were not disappointed!
     The first part of Bearizona was the drive-through portion.  We passed mules before reaching the bison.  As we were driving past the bison, we looked ahead and saw a pack of wolves standing across the cattle guard staring down the bison!  Matt and I were both impressed.  Neither of us have seen a wolf that close before - merely feet in front of our car!  I also thought they must be frustrated wolves, as they could see and smell the bison but could not hunt them.  After the wolves, we passed more bison, sheep, and bears.  Lots of black bears.  We probably saw six to eight black bears roaming in a 15 acre area.  The drive took just over 30 minutes, and then we were directed into a small parking lot.
     We nearly had the zoo to ourselves.  In the zoo, we saw bear cubs, wolf cubs, bobcats, fox, raccoons, baby buffalo, and experienced a petting zoo (complete with hogs, roosters, and turkeys).  The animals were lively and we loved watching the babies romp around their habitats.  Bearizona was a fun way to conclude our surprise weekend getaway!

The Polar Express

     On Claire's birthday, we surprised both girls with a little trip to the North Pole.  After our birthday pancake breakfast, we loaded up the car and headed north.  Did you know you can catch the train to the North Pole in Williams, Arizona?  Well, you can.  And we did.  We did not tell the girls where we were going, so when we arrived at our hotel, Audrey was still begging for "clues" to our adventure.
     While I checked us into our hotel room in the lobby, Audrey struck up a conversation with another little girl and her grandma.  Audrey managed to learn of our special trip from this grandma and her granddaughter!  When we walked back out to find Matt and Claire, Audrey sheepishly admitted that the lady told her we were going on a train ride.
     We walked the girls to the train depot to get our tickets, and we told Audrey that we were taking a special train to the North Pole, just like the little boy in the Polar Express book.  She screamed and screamed!  Her reaction was priceless.  Claire had no idea why Audrey was screaming, but she also started yelling and clapping and jumping up and down!
     As a bonus to our adventure, we were joined on the Polar Express by the Kawans and the Corrigans.  These incredible friends joined us on the train, and we all had such a great time.  We boarded the train a little before 5:30pm, and we began our journey to the North Pole.  Magically, we arrived at the North Pole in around 30 minutes!  While traveling, we ate sugar cookies, drank hot chocolate, and sang Christmas carols.  When we arrived in the North Pole, we waved as we passed Mr. and Mrs. Claus. As we turned around to return to Williams, Santa boarded the train and began making his way through the train cars.  Audrey patiently waited for him to arrive.  When Santa came to our car, Audrey stood on tip-toes to see his approach.  Claire snuggled in my arms, sucked her thumb, and offered up a shy wave.  As Santa stepped up to address Audrey, she spoke first, saying, "Santa, I've been a good girl this year!"  Santa replied, "I know.  My elves told me you have been good." And he handed her a silver sleigh bell.  Little Audrey turned to me, eyes wide with delight, and said, "Mom, did you hear that? Santa said his elves told him I was good!"  She hugged Santa, and he moved forward to hand Claire her sleigh bell. Claire smiled and said thank you.  And Santa continued down the train.  We arrived back in Williams just before 7:30pm with two tired, happy girls!

Claire is TWO!

     Our youngest, Claire Marie, just turned two earlier this month.  Our baby is now a walking, talking little person.  Claire brings delight to our house.  She is passionate and loving.  Claire cuddles, sings, gives great hugs and kisses, and loves imitating her older sister.  Her vocabulary is blossoming, and she speaks to us in full sentences.  We love her little phrases that she adds, and we smile when she repeats exactly what Audrey just said.  Claire loves building things and figuring out how things work.  She is currently in love with her baby doll and "choo-choo trains".  We thank God for Claire's infectious personality, and we cherish her.
     For Claire's second birthday, we had a family celebration at home, complete with presents and birthday pancakes.  We also drove to Williams, AZ, and caught the Polar Express to the North Pole on Claire's birthday!
     Our little Claire continues to shine her light into our lives.  We pray that God continues to bless Claire as she grows over this next year.

Audrey is FIVE!

     Well, she turned five over a month ago!  Our first born is five.  Can it be possible?  She was born here in Arizona and now we are celebrating her 5th year here.  Audrey continues to bring joy into our lives.  She is spirited, funny, and full of energy.  Her playfulness is captivating, and she is also loving and compassionate.  God is doing wonderful things in her little heart, and I love watching her grow.  She is imaginative and intelligent, too.  I could write a book on all of the gifts God has bestowed on our little Audrey...
     So, for her 5th birthday, we threw a little party that was not so little!  Kids and adults alike came over to our house for an afternoon of fun and games.  Audrey specifically requested that we play pin the tail on the donkey and have a pinata. We also painted pumpkins, since Audrey's birthday falls a few days before Halloween.  She had a wonderful time celebrating with her friends and family.
     We thank God every day for Audrey, and we pray for many more years of birthday celebrations for Audrey!

Better Late than Never!

     I am behind on blog updates this fall!  Has it really been almost a month since Halloween? Well, I never put up pics of our family in costumes!  Audrey and Claire were flower fairies, thanks to beautiful costumes that my mom made.  Audrey referred to herself as "Silvermist" and was so proud of her costume.  Claire did NOT like having her costume pulled over her head, but once it was on, she happily twirled around the room with sister.
     Halloween weekend was a lot of fun for us.  We enjoyed a neighborhood party (called the "Boo Bash"), and it was so much fun!  We laughed watching all the cutie kiddos dancing in their costumes. (Matt and I even wore these hilarious shark masks to join in the festivities.) There was a costume contest, pony rides, a hayride, and rings that glowed in the dark for all kids.
     The girls donned their costumes again on Monday to trick or treat door to door.  Matt wore his authentic Masaii warrior gear (brought home from Africa), and I found a fun lion mask in the girls' dress up box (the Masaii and the lions are linked through time and legends).  We walked the streets with our friends, and even Claire sweetly said, "trick or treat" at every door. After a few blocks, though, Claire was tired and ready to go home.  That was ok, though, because both girls had more than enough candy!

On our way to the Boo Bash (with our friend, DC)

 Dancing at the Boo Bash!

Our sweet flower fairies are ready for the party!

 Ready to trick or treat...

 Both girls are getting tired after a few blocks of "hard trick or treating"!

Soccer!

          Audrey is playing soccer.  Can I say how much I love watching little 4 and 5 year olds playing, laughing, and learning?!  She's playing in a wonderful league on a team of enthusiastic, patient coaches, with 9 other little girls.  On Saturdays, she has a game.  The little ones play 2 fifteen minute halves, with four girls on a side (4 v 4).  She is intensely competitive, but the set up of this little team has helped her to just have fun.  She runs, kicks, and tries to pass!  (That's what she tells me -- "Mommy, next game I am going to pass.")  I do have videos to upload, but for now, here are a handful of pics from one of her practices!  (As a side note, Claire thinks she is a five year old, too, so she is constantly trying to join in Audrey's practice.)