Santa Parade

For the second year in a row, McMinnville has hosted a Santa Parade the day after Thanksgiving. It's extra fun for me because it takes me back to my childhood when we would spend all day (the day after Turkey Day) getting the wagon and horses decorated for the Santa Parade in Corvallis. I think it's safe to say I spent every Friday night after Thanksgiving in the OSU parking lot decorating a tree, hanging lights on the wagon, yelling over the gas-powered generator and praying for NO rain!
Funny the things that trigger memories, huh?

So important Keely Q requires a double escort 

Super excited that it's time to wear our Christmas gear!

Love.my.girls

Taking a seat

Out of 20-something shots, this was the best I could come up with

Don't move, Daddy.

Turkey with my turkeys

All those months ago we celebrated Thanksgiving Day at Mom and Dad's house. The weather was incredible for late November, and in true Thanksgiving fashion, we stuffed ourselves into oblivion.
If success is measured by waistband tightness, then the day was stellar.

When I showed the girls the shirts they'd be wearing Ash said "But Mommy, they don't match?" I guess same shirt, different color, doesn't count in Midget's book. Good to know.

Some T-Day visitors...here's a hint....you'd better run before you find yourselves on the table next year.

Mom's beautiful table

Homemade chocolate pumpkins filled with MnM's

Bellied up to the snack table - shocker!

Imagine that? The feisty-three convinced Papa to take them swinging. 

Amberger's here!

Natty's favorite snacky-snack? Pickles of course.

Carving it up

Aunt Sandi lending a hand and dishing Natty Kat up

Cheers, Keely Q!

Naturally.

Individual banana cream pies? Of course.
PS it was early in the afternoon when Ash transitioned to her PJ's.....wet swing mishap 

Oh this kiddo, this kiddo.

Love those baby blues 

She'll always find a seat 

Pie with Papa

So Sissie asked if I'd take some pictures for her and Ray to use on their Christmas cards....she wanted to be wrapped in Christmas lights and Ray, because he's a wise man, went along with it....

...because ain't nobody gonna say no to that face.

Happy I captured this organic shot between their poses - even happier Sissie picked it for their card!

Of course Ash wanted to be wrapped up in the lights

Meanwhile Jake just makes the whole thing look creepy 

Keely was happy to be outside, but annoyed that I made her keep her hat on

The whole fam damily 
PS Maybe next year I'll take my apron off before picture time?

Looks like someone got attacked by Auntie A's lips

A group of monkeys

While Jake was in TN a few weeks back I took a chance and packed up all 3 monkeys for a trip to the zoo.

Not an easy task with a 3-to-1 ratio.

That being said.....I've never bee more impressed with my girls. 

Simply put, they.were.amazing. 

Well mannered. 

Good listeners. 

Well behaved.

It's nice to see all the hard working of parenting pay off and even nicer having such an enjoyable day with my baby girls.

We're here!

My happy girls

Swinging with the monkeys 

Ooh ooh ee ee!!!

Saying hi to Packy 

Selfie time

Lions, our favorite! 

Giddy up!

"Look! I'm riding a little cub!"

Love her enthusiasm 

Is it obvious we spend a good amount of time at the lion exhibit? 

The new lion cubs hiding out behind Daddy

 The leopards were napping right up close to the viewing glass

How we look to a python (heat sensory) - can you tell who's who?

Peek-a-boo

They climbed in and insisted I take a pic - always happy to oblige! 

We got an up-close intro to one heft porcupine 

Doing the flamingos 

Selfie time again!

For all the times I've been to the zoo, I've never been inside the bird area. Something about birds freak me out. Like seriously ooged out. But when Natty saw they could feed the lorikeets, I didn't suppose she would actually DO it. Yep. I was wrong.  

Even Ash got in on the feeding action....

....meanwhile I tried really hard to avoid those scary, winged creatures 

Not to be outdone by my 6 and 4 year old, I tried my hand at feeding them. And now that I've done it, I'll never have to do it again.

The 1 thing they asked for was taking a pic with the giant bear at the gift shop

On the way home I couldn't stand the idea of wasting such a beautiful day, so it was milkshakes at the rocket ship park

Keely chowing down on her chocolate chip cookie

Melt.Mama's.heart

It was a long walk for those pocket-person legs

My 3 lovelies taking a ride