Getting ready for Christmas

Getting ready for Christmas has been so fun this year. The boys really know how to decorate a tree, Jacob can read the names on gift tags, and the have enough will power to not eat all the candy off the gingerbread house. (on the first night at least)

 Aaron still loves to set up the nutcrackers and play with them. 

 We remembered Andrew's birth on December 9th, thought about his life and how much we miss him.

 I decided it was much better to decorate one room with all the Christmas decorations and call it the Christmas room than to decorate the whole house. We are loving the overwhelming warmth and hominess happening in that room.

 The Google Christmas party held at the Legion of Honor was so much fun. It was a masqerade and our painted on masks did us well all night. Fine art and live music. I was in heaven. Best party ever.

 A pop/tribute band Pop Rocks rocked the house. That dance floor was not empty for long. 

 Jacob and I were so excited to open my Christmas present early. Our Dyson vaccum makes me so happy. Its a keeper.

 Alex and Aaron rocked their Christmas piano recital. Alex with Jingle Bells and Aaron with Let it Snow.

Family Triathalon

We had our first family triathalon. It was a total success. In the end of course, after quite a bit of moaning "This won't be fun!" from Aaron. All the boys surprised themselves and exceeded our expectations for sure. 

 Because it was really cold we started out with the run, then did bike and swim. To start we just let them run nonstop for 15 minutes around the elementary school track. This way each age group could finish at the same time and all get a good run in. Jacob suprised us all by running .8 mile without breaking a sweat.

 

 Time to hit the bike portion.

 The ride was about 3 miles long and inluded some moderate hills. The big boys flew through this part. 

 We ended at the YMCA pool where we were all glad to get in the warm water. Alex swam 4 laps. We were all very tired at the end.

Thanksgiving

We haven't shared many Thanksgivings with family. In fact every other Thanksgiving has been celebrated at our own dinner table with just our family and a handful of friends. I have to say that having it with family is much more interesting. 

 The cousin table was super lively. Makenna was a good sport. 

 The tiniest cousins had the awesome stool on the floor option. Austin is digging in. Jacob just likes to look at food.

 We went for a bike/skateboard/scooter ride after dinner and explored the neighborhood a bit. Saw a beautiful sunset and called it a night.

Reid Park Zoo

My favorite zoo yet - Reid Park Zoo in Tucson. It was small, intimate, no hills, no people actually. Just active animals having a ball pretty close to us. We had a blast. 

 Aaron was not such fan of all the pictures. But I had to, they were giraffes. So beautiful.

 A black leopard. You could see the black on black spots just barely. 

Trip to Sedona

Montezuma's Castle. I've always wanted to go here and it did not disappoint. 

 Jacob climbing right next to a sign that says do not climb. 

 The boys interacted with this diarama with narration. Gave us a good idea of what it was like for people to actually live up there in the side of a cliff.

 Let the biking begin! The boys went on bike rides both days. First day was on the Bell Rock Pathway directly off of the highway. Second day we explored Red Rock State park which had a bad attitude toward bikers. Two park rangers came up to us asking where exactly we intended on riding the bikes. A lot of the park was restricted to bikes and only allowed hikers. Oh well, later that day they went back to the Bell Rock Pathway.

Arizona Family Time

Sister's Weekend 2013 took place in Scottsdale. We went to a great antique shop (twice), filled up at Rehab Burger Therapy, went to the Mythbuster's Live show and tried to do it all in the rain. This picture at Rehab burger was us on the patio in the pouring rain under an umbrella with a heater. Yeah, we really wanted those burgers. 

 Our hotel was fun and trendy, had a yummy restaurant with tiny portions and cozy bathrobes.

 First time holding baby Clyde, what a sweety!

 I love how the boys all show their best flexing poses. The oldest boys know to look at the muscles while they flex, Garrett knows to scrunch your face to look tough, and the little boys don't quite know what to do with their arms.

 Nanny's cozy sunroom, where the bed is huge, the TV is tiny and its the best place to stuggle in for the night.

 Kathryn cut Jacob's hair and did the best job ever. This after he threw up a couple times in the night. He sat as still as a post.

 Katie let Eleanor hold Clyde for a minute. He loves the kisses. 

Veterans Day Parade

We will celebrate Veterans Day in the McQueen house. No forgetting a holiday that is trying to honor those veterans America has forgotten about. Those guys who preserved our sublime freedom, I will go to a parade and clap for them any day of the week. 

 Jacob waved his flag with gusto. 

 After the parade we walked back to our car and stopped at Voodoo Doughnuts first. This is Aaron's Oreo doughnut.

 Alex sticks to his favorite, the face doughnut. Its a huge maple triangle with more doughnuts attached to the front to make a face. Totally yummy.