Merry Christmas!

Ryan tries on a Santa Hat.

Matching pajamas for Christmas Eve. 

A Lokey tradition. 

On Christmas morning... Ryan using the thermometer to take the bouncy ball's temperature. There was a lot of temperature taking the last few hours. Can you tell he's not feeling well?

Evan opening a gift. 

Between opening gifts and dinner time, Burke and I took Ryan to Urgent Care. He has a double ear infection AND strep throat. Merry Christmas to him, right?

Ryan slept through Christmas dinner. Evan, on the other hand, enjoyed sweet potatoes, turkey, mashed potatoes and more. He liked listening to and watching the birds during dinner too.

Christmas dinner! Yum!

We are so happy to spend this time with our Arizona family. 

Merry Christmas! 

Hope you had a great one too!

Hammock

It's so novel for us to be able to enjoy warm weather on Christmas Eve. Well, it's pretty warm to us, but the Arizona residents think it's cold. All relative to what you're used to, I guess. Anyway...

Burke and Little E relax in the hammock. 

Gingerbread Houses

The Lokey boys constructed gingerbread houses Friday morning. Ryan liked putting M&M's on a frosting covered tree. I was impressed with how long this activity held his interest. We'll have to do more of this type of craft at home. 

Burke & Evan built one house. Evan's major contribution consisted of eating the head off a snowman that was meant to decorate the outside of the house. Then he was off to nap and left Dada to do most of the work. 

Lolo, Uncle Keith, and Ryan primarily worked on the other house. 

Evan's decapitated snowman. 

Finished products.

Gingerbread house construction project was a huge success!

My Arizona Family

An added bonus to coming to Arizona, besides the pleasant weather and spending time with the Lokey bunch, is that I also have family out this way. On Thursday, we drove out to Peoria for a gathering at my cousin Ann's house. 

We debated going because Ryan was beginning to show signs of illness. We decided to go, and had a really nice time. Hopefully, we spread only Christmas cheer and little to no germs.

Evan happily played with bowls and forks while I chatted with Barb, Camille, Shirlene, and Deanna. This is a favorite game of his, practicing eating with utensils and bowls. But, this is the first time I saw him actually get food on the utensil and get it to his mouth.

Wouldn't you know the first food he feeds himself was a dessert.

Zoo & Pizza

We went to The Phoenix Zoo on Tuesday before Christmas. Ryan had fun looking at the elephants and giraffes. He mostly enjoyed the play areas of the zoo, such as this tractor for kids to climb and the petting zoo. 

I was showing Ryan how to squeeze the utters of this pretend cow. It produces water, not milk.

Evan slept for a good portion of our time at the zoo. When he woke up, he enjoyed being outside. Love the Arizona vegetation in the background.

That night we met my cousin Jennifer and her family for pizza. Here's Jennifer and her two kiddos playing a video game.

Evan enjoyed the clown car. That clown might scare some little ones...but not Evan. He loved that clown.

It was a busy day! But lots of fun! 

Trip to Arizona

Ryan did really well on the flight to Arizona. He even took a nap, which I didn't expect. 

Evan did, um...okay. Sleeping on the plane for Evan...not so much. Let's just say everyone was glad when we were on the ground in Arizona and finally with Nana and Lolo!

Dance Party

He has the best moves...  

Jammin' to the Beastie Boys.

Merry Ponka Christmas

Since we will be in Arizona for Christmas this year, my family gathered at our place last weekend to exchange gifts and have a holiday visit. 

The big time present was a play kitchen for the boys. 

Assembly required.

Evan checks out Uncle Steve's handy work. 

Kitchen accessories. 

Playing with the finished product. Thank you Uncle Steve, Uncle Joey and Aunt Christine for this great present.

There were other presents too...

Another assembly required project for Dada. Grandma and Grandpa got Ryan and Evan this wagon, which is already a favorite. I can't wait to pull them around outside.

Christine, Joey, and Steve leave to head back to Chicago in the second lake effect storm of the season. We were so thankful they decided to come despite the horrible weather and road conditions. Everyone got home safely. Thank goodness.

MERRY EARLY CHRISTMAS!

Let It Snow

I told everyone who warned us...snow is snow. But now, I will admit it. Lake effect snowstorms are a different kind of winter beast. We've had 2 such storms at this point. Both dumped about 6-8 inches. Luckily there was some melting between the two. Here are some pictures from the first snow storm of the season.

Evan's first experience with snow. He has a double layer of pants on, but ONLY SOCKS. Right after this, I ordered little snow pants and boots for him. Don't worry...he was not outside long.

Despite his grossly under dressed feet, he enjoyed poking at and climbing in the snow.

Ryan liked shoveling last year too. This year, he's a little more powerful and efficient.

Evan's first time playing in snow. Cute!

Recuperating from the outdoor activity. 

Evan is Officially ONE!!

Yup...it's official...He's ONE YEAR OLD! I cannot believe it. I have been reminiscing about his arrival, this time last year, for the last week or so. Evan is a funny, curious, sweet little guy. We are so blessed. Today we had another mini-celebration as a family of four to again honor our Little E's birthday. 

(Oops! He chewed on the candle and ingested some candle wax.) 

WE LOVE YOU, EVAN!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY. 

Evan's Birthday Party

On Saturday, November 27 we gathered at the Bistro on the Boulevard in St. Joseph for Evan's first birthday party. Upon arriving we took some family shots.

4 Generations of Lokey Men

Grandma & Grandpa Ponka

Nana & Lolo 

Then we had dinner. Ryan loved the tomato bisque. Both boys devoured macaroni and cheese.

Time for cake. 

Singing Happy Birthday to Little E.

Do you like his "wizard hat"?

He blew out the candle like he knew what to do! Kid... you never had a birthday before. You're only 12 months old. How do you know about blowing out candles enough to lean in, purse your lips, and expel air? I was impressed! And it was adorable. 

He looks so pleased with himself. 

Things are about to get messy. 

Opening presents. 

What a wonderful celebration. We are so thankful that Nana, Lolo, Ggpa, Marge, Grandma, Grandpa, Steve, Joey, Christine, Carol, and Pete could share the special occasion with us. We know many other friends and family members were with us in spirit too.