Seaworld

We love Seaworld!  It's our favorite place to go.  Well, Mommy loves it, but so do we!  We get to see dolphins, feed the dolphins and touch them too.  Ava kept screaming - coming, coming - each time the dolphins raced past us. 

 I got a camera and I loved using it to take pictures and videos of the dolphins. 

We also went to the Shamu show.  Ava calls is Moo.  There was water to play with, so of course, we played with it. 

Ava ran over to the picture of Shamu and wanted to pet him. 

Waiting for the Wild Artic ride, we tried to climb the walls.  I had to help Ava climb, but later I was trying to climb too.

We then went to the play area and played in the sand.

Ava passed out asleep, but I stayed awake! 

Christmas Day with the Kastelz Family

We started the day at the Toblin house for breakfast and naps.  Then we headed to Maw Maw's house.  We again ate first and opened presents second.  I think there is a pattern here. We really liked the strawberries!  They were awesome!

 Talia got to pass out all the presents since Uncle Billy wasn't there to do it.  She did a great job and really warmed up to everyone!

 Ava started opening gifts before they were all passed out, but we all said this year was ok, since she is not 2 yet.  Next year, she has to wait!

 Ava got 2 pairs of shoes and each time she got some, she would take off the pair she was wearing and have us put the other pair on. 

 Talia showing off her coat and slippers.

 Ava in her new red shoes!

 Here is the beautiful jacket that Talia got.  She is so excited about it, she wore it all night!

Christmas Eve at Nana and Poppop's

We went to Nana and Poppop's for Christmas eve.  We had lots of presents from them waiting for us.  We had dinner first.  For some reason people seem to think it we can open presents we will never eat afterwards.

 Ava is really getting good at opening gifts. 

Talia got a Beauty and the Beast doll set. 

Both girls got a backpack and sleeping bag.  They loved the sleeping bags.

 Ava just kept running from one gift to the next.  She was like a shark opening presents.  Then she would demand that we open them before she unwrapped the next gift.

We were all really excited about this one...

 Ava also got a big box with toys/gagets attached.  She tried to help get it set up.

 Talia got the Innotab!  She has been playing with it lots and we are really impressed with all that she can do with it!  She is even starting to add on her machine. 

 After presents we started eating again, showed them didn't we!  We had chicken on a stick, cookies and more cookies.  Then we laid down with our sleeping bags and watched tv.

Hanukah at Granny and Grandpa's house.  Uncle Matt and Uncle Dan were there too!  First we had to help make potato latkes.  We had to cut up the potatos and onions, spin out the water and then cook.  Talia also ordered small latkes, she likes those better than big ones.



 After we had dinner it was time to light the menorah.  I am getting really good at lighting the menorah all by myself.  I even know the first few words of the blessing.

 Then it's PRESENT TIME!  I opened my gift from Granny first.  I got a stamp set, stickers and a sticker book.  I love it!

Ava started with a gift from the Uncles - her own princess crown.

It was then Ava's turn to open her big gift from the Uncles.  She was really excited out it. 

 Talia then got her big present!  It just completed her day!  Belle!

Ava then decided to get dressed up... too young, but she did this alone.

Then next morning Mommy and Talia put this together while Ava and Daddy slept. Both Talia and Ava loved it and played with it for a while!

We went to the zoo today with Mommy and no one else.  I don't think Mommy will do that again anytime soon.  We both started out in the stroller, but quickly decided we wanted to walk.  At times we even wanted to walk into different directions.

 We really liked looking at the animals.  We looked for the fishes and jaguars.  It was fun climbing up and down on the rocks.

 We then went on the carousel.  Talia really liked going on this.  Ava was only ok when Mommy was holding her.  We think Mommy got a little carousel sick.

 Here are some of the animals we saw.  This one was up close.

Hanukah Night 2

Tonight Talia picked out our gift piles.  I got a GIANT STUFFED PENGUIN!  My favorite!  I cuddle with him all the time.  I sleep with him laying next to me. 

 He is as big as me and that's what I like most about him.

 Talia got some small princess stuff!  She got a memory game, princess wall decals and princess stickers.  She put the decals up right away and she keeps moving them around.  But, she is putting them too high for me to reach.