August Amari: Firsts

So this little man ventured into our room the other day, found my new pillow with satin pillow case and immediately became attached to it. He pushed it off my bed and carried it around with him all day, stopping periodically to lay his head down on it; totally cracked me up!

Mike found this frog while knocking doors and brought him home as a pet for Becks. We kept him for a week; Beck's was so thrilled to play with him and feed him crickets. We asked him what he wanted to name him and he said "Froggie" (from his favorite books). Amari liked watching the frog jump around and got a kick out of him jumping on him but other than that he wasn't that interested. The most interesting and actually quite incredible thing was when Mike took the boys to let the frog go. A few days later Amari kept looking at the binding on his jungle book which showcased a frog, and then he started pointing out his window. He did this quite a few times—pointing at the frog then pointing at the window—before I caught on to what he was trying to relay: they had let the froggie go outside—SO SO SMART!!

Fun day at the zoo with friends!

Britton Mae LOVED manhandling Amari with this foam

Long day at the Zoo = snooze time on the car ride home

Grandma E sent this amazing package to the boys; Beckahm LOVED playing with these paints

Amari was in desperate need of a hair cut. But when Mike cut off all of his beautiful golden locks I freaked out. I have to say I DID end up LOVING the final look! (Mommy needs to chill out). He looks like such a big, handsome boy!

Beck's now knows "bingo" :)

Decorating the tree/house. I loved how much Beck's wanted to help and how excited he was to put up the Christmas decorations! He was so thrilled that he got Christmas decorations in his own room.

Dad wrestling the boys!

We were laughing so hard at mine

Opening some gifts before we left to AZ, Beck's got a guitar, Amari got a walker from Grandma Moncur

First time watching Polar Express; he loved it!

Off we go to AZ. The kids did so well. Amari's first time flying and he did such a great job! We had such an awesome time in Arizona with my family. We already miss them and the amazing weather so much! We are so grateful the kiddos got to meet their Grandparents and make memories with them and their cousins and Aunt and Uncle.

Meeting cousins for the first time; Beck's was so tired from the flight; he passed out in the car ride home

At the girls Xmas program

It was so cute to see Beck's wave at his cousins and clap for them

Love this family!!

Eating with cousin Nixon

Beck's loving movie night with his cousins

Stroll to get the mail

Mike shows Ty his skate tricks; she loved them!

Meeting Grandpa for the first time; Amari absolutely fell in love with Grandpa. Grandma and Grandpa took care of Amari while we went to The Polar Express

On our way to The Polar Express

Yummy Greek restaurant

It was snowing in Flagstaff!

The Polar Express gift shop

Becks was so excited to go on The Polar Express; he watched the movie 2x before we went on it so he knew exactly what he would be doing.

Train conductor punching tickets

"Hot Hot Hot, Hot Chocolate!"

The North Pole

Beck's was so thrilled to see Santa. Santa gave him a bell with "The Polar Express" engraved on it.

A little tired an hour into it

Snowball fight at the hotel in Flagstaff; Beck's didn't really like it

Beck's snowman :)

Hot tub/pool time at the hotel

Mike being crazy and doing a snow angel in his swim shorts

Video recaps via Instagram

Yummy lunch dive: Mix (Flagstaff, AZ)

Grandpa joining the grandkids for a movie night

Amari's first experience with stairs. He fell down them a couple times :(

Everyone just loved happy go lucky Amari Ari

Glendale Glitters

Sunday best

I love how Beck's held his cousins hands going into nursery

Grandpa playing with Amari

Grandma playing hide and seek with her grandkids; they loved it!

Park Day. Beck's loved riding in the bike trailer.

Park video recap

Mike and I babysat all the kids and let them go down the stairs on the mattress and then Mike did a great family home evening for them.

Door bell ditching the neighbors some goodies

Making gingerbread houses

Grandpa reading a Christmas story to the kids

Mike teaches Ty how to play the piano

Christmas Eve: Park/yogurt

Uncle Dave being a goof

Sprinkling reindeer food on the lawn

Grandpa reading the Christmas story

One gift on Xmas Eve:

Both the boys got new Xmas jammies and slippers

Driving around to see the lights

Christmas Day

Amari was so excited to open his first Christmas gifts.

Big loves to Grandma and Grandpa for their gifts

Beck's saw this gun in Flagstaff and he wanted it so bad....Good thing Santa does last minute shopping :)

Beck's first remote control car

Amari loved these books with sound Grandma got him

Bey Blades

Amari got yogurt bites, some rattles, chewing toys, books, a train, and a popup toy

The boys loved Meeka; especially Amari (he would follow her around every where)

Wrestling with my boys

Christmas dinner at Ben and Judy's

The boys LOVED cruising around in these cars at Judy's house

5th Year Anniversary

We celebrated by shopping, eating good food, and staying a night at Aloft hotel. It was the perfect way to celebrate our anniversary!

Roaring Fork (Scottsdale, AZ)

Art festival in Scottsdale

Best breakfast: Snooze (Phoenix, AZ)

Flying home. Sad to see family go and sad to be leaving the warm AZ weather. The kiddos did great going home as well! All around it was a fantastic trip!