On Wednesday, December 12th Sarah, Hunter, Jana, Skylar, Sue, Sheri, Emmalee and I did our annual trip to the Phoenix Zoo for Zoolights! It had rained all weekend and all day Monday and Tuesday so we were a little nervous about the weather. It was a wonderful night, there was a chill in the air but it was not as cold as it had been. We walked the zoo and looked at all of the lighted displays. There were zebra's, flamingo's, lots of penquins, frogs, butterflys, and even trees that danced to music. I took Emmalee out of her stroller near the trees to see what she would do, she danced with the music and then decided it was her turn to walk.... walk..... and walk. 
The time flew and before we knew it, it was time to get the three youngsters home, bathed and in bed (to their respective homes of course). 
I beleive Sarah, Hunter and I have been for the last 5 years and Emmalee for the last two. I think we hooked Jana, Skylar, Su and Sheri!! Thanks for joining us and Sarah and Hunter thanks for another wonderful year.Love Jill and Emmalee
We made it down to Chandler (just about a mile south of my old house.) 
We enjoyed the Parade and then watched the 51st lighting of the Tumbleweed tree!!! 
It was really cool to actually see the tree light up since we have never seen it live in all the years we have lived in Arizona. To some I am sure we have some strange traditions, but we have to do something since we don't have any tall pine trees in the Phoenix Metro area. Enjoy the Pictures! Sarah and Hunter thank you again for inviting us!!!!
She did it a couple of times. 
Hunter and Sarah told us about Santa Cow so we met them and had lunch with them. Nana Phyllis joined in on the fun. 
Hunter really wanted a picture with Santa Cow and Nana Phyllis. 
Here are some of the pictures. I was asked to sign a release to allow the picture of Emmalee to be used in publications... If it is I will share!
The half time show was an exhibition game by the Banner Wheelchair Suns and the Banner Wheelchair Mercury. 
I know several of the players who were there! It was great to seem them play!
and then with all of her might she achieved getting the fourth pot out of the cabinet. After she had all four pots out of the cabinet she went about trying to figure out how to stack them.... She was having a difficult time stacking them smallest to biggest so she got frustrate. 
With all of her might she picked up the largest pot and carried it into the living room for Nana. Pay close attention to the look on her face in the picture below.
She is actually carrying 2 pots in the above picture, but she is a very determined little girl!!!! She wanted to take the pots to Nana and she did not care how heavy it was!!!!
She played with the pots for almost 45 minutes. I really enjoyed watching her and seeing the little wheels inside her head turning.... I don't know if she wants to be a cook or a builder!!! On to more stories!!!
Bradley received a new cell phone and a fully decked out skateboard. I think he really enjoyed his 14th birthday! 
Happy Birthday Beezo, we Love you!!
she decided she wanted to try and climb into the lazy Susan. Here are the photo's. After figuring out she could climb behind it she decided to get out and try and empty it!!! She is a true blessing!!! 
So, thanks to Grandma Rosemary we now had the perfect Halloween costume. Emmalee was not really sure of what all was going on but I know she enjoyed being out and seeing everyone. We went and saw people in the neighborhood we knew. Grandma Diane and Grandpa Tom were out on their front porch so Emmalee got to play with Katie and I can't remember the new puppies name because they keep calling it Dumb dog. 
We had fun and enjoyed the night, we did not have very many trick or treaters though. It definatly has slowed down in our neighborhood since we were young. We hope you all enjoyed your night!! 
Love Rob, Jill, Josh, Brad and Emmalee
The farm has an area where you can go and play and pick your own pumpkin. I think it is the only place I know of that the cost of admission for children is more than it is for adults. (If you are going to decorate a pumpkin it is $7) After the kids decorated their pumpkins the boys and Emmalee played in a little fort. Then the boys took Emmalee into the bouncer. Josh and Brad bounced Emmalee back and forth. 
It was rather funny to see. Hunter bounced with her. We then went and saw the pigs. You were not allowed near them but you could look at them. We then headed out and Bradley picked a pumpkin from the Pumpkin patch so that he could turn it into a Jack-o-lantern. It was a very fun day!! I really enjoyed having Josh and Brad join us and I know Emmalee enjoyed it too!
I know it was not easy for them to do but it was incredible. 
The three of us returned to New Orleans that night and came back to spend more time with my side of the family on the 24th. 
Mom, Dad, Mamaw, Papaw, Rob, Emmalee and I went to a restaurant called "The Orleans Cafe" to have sea food. Emmalee had her first taste of Gumbo, shrimp, oysters and redbeans and rice.
She really enjoyed the gumbo. We spent most the day at Mamaw and Papaw's it is amazing the changes that are taking place with the building of the school. The land looks so small now that you can see Big John Road from the backyard.
In the afternoon we decided to go to Pascagoula to see if we could find Rob's Dad. After about 45 minutes of driving around we found the house. Rob's Dad was home so we stopped and said hello. We had a very nice visit with him and we went down to the "Annex" where his Dad was meeting some of his family for dinner. We saw Rob's Grandma, Aunt, Uncle and a Great Aunt. We went back to Rob's Dad's house and he should us the garage he built on the back of the lot. I now know where Rob gets his tool fettish.
