Zoo Lights and other updates

Just in case you missed it, I grew a beard out in the beginning of December. Lasted about 3 weeks and it was time.

Now that Bobby is pretty mobile, it's funny to see where he ends up.

The weekend before Christmas we did our 2nd annual family trip to the Portland Zoo for the Zoo Lights Special. I didn't take any pictures of the "animals" this year so you'll have to go back a year if you want to see those. Bobby was bundled up and ready to go. He loves his Aunt Margie.

As well as his Grandpa Donkin

He was a little hesitant to ride the sheep for some reason.

He enjoyed the horse ride though.

After going to a few exhibits, the rest of the night was spent trying to get Jeri out of the computer.

I thought this stuff only happened in bad horror films.

Bobby was more than willing to try to get her out of there.

Since we were off to Utah the next day, we actually did our family gift exchange in the cafe.

Gifts got Bobby to smile (more).

After the gift exchange it was time to leave. We caught Rudolph just as he was about to leave.
It's funny that we never would have asked Rudolph for a picture with just me and Jackie, but since we have Bobby, it's acceptable to do all of the silly stuff.

We made Jonathan and Thomas take a picture with Rudolph, since they are still 8 and 11 in Jackie's eyes.

After Rudolph left, I told Margie to go up and stand there to see if anyone wanted a picture with her.

not many takers....

eventually Charlie volunteered, although he appears apprehensive.

That week Bobby created a habit of avoiding his car seat at all costs. It was nearly impossible to get the kid into it. He would arch his back like so, and refuse to get in there. Funny kid.

Family Pictures

While the rest of Oregon sat in front of their TVs to see if Oregon State could pull off the upset against the University of Oregon, we took a few family pictures. Think Christmas card style, although we didn't actually send any out. Danelle is always so gracious to take pictures of us, we even have our own album on her Facebook page. So, if you're dying to see pictures of us, you know where to go. If you just need a few, hopefully these will suffice.

My favorite. Do you have one?

Nevermind, this is my favorite.

Yes, I did let the beard go for a couple of weeks. The moment Jackie thought I should start trimming it, I shaved it. It brought flashbacks of High School and my parents urging me to cut my hair.

Bobby Loves To...

...play with Mommy's Ipod (using only one finger like her)

...play on Mommy's phone

...look at the Christmas tree, and try to rip it apart

...get dirrrrty

...bang the piano keys

...play in the clean laundry

...wear my hat, take it off, and chew on the brim

...grow teeth (he doesn't actually love this, unless he's crying tears of joy)

...make calls

He's a wonderful little dude.

Thanksgiving

My first Thanksgiving breakfast feast with the Hatch family. As you can see in the picture above, it was quite the crowd. Having the super delicious, big breakfast meal on Thanksgiving is genius. Nobody has conflicts because it's early in the morning and this way you get to expand your stomach for the big meal later in the afternoon.

I taught the teenagers a lesson or two in our game of 21.

Blue steel? A new pose Bobby has been working on. I'm so glad we got it on film.

Bobby being Bobby

Sleepy doggy

Aurora is not a big fan of taking pictures, even with her obviously favorite uncle.

She had no problem jumping in on the dog pile.

Grandpa had to leave so I got to hold the sleeping baby. It was contagious.

After the morning with the Hatch family, it was on to the Donkin family party at the Zeller's house. I stole a few pictures from Lynda's facebook page at the Hatch party above. I was then trying to think about who might have pictures already posted from the Zeller party and then I realized that Lynda would have those as well. She is Jonnie's sister and she married Hod's brother so we get them at both parties. Sure enough she already had two different albums to choose from.

Bobby is already a big hit with the ladies.

The cool table

Lovin the orange rolls

Jackie showing off the pies, and her hand

Jackie's cousin Max

Jackie attempted the self portrait. Fail

Let's just have your Aunt take a picture of us.

After the parties it was time for the movie. Davey got us in to see Tangled in 3D. The picture below is Bobby watching the movie with his little 3D glasses on. It's hard to make it out but you can see his glasses and little forehead. He was definitely better than some of the kids in the theater, sleeping through a good portion.

Overall it was a great Thanksgiving. My first one out here with Jackie's family. We had great weather. It was a little cold but you can't complain when it is sunny. I missed the morning surf session with my brothers that we would have when we lived in California growing up but I really can't complain.