Christmas in Flagstaff, AZ

The Hicks' traveled to Flag for Christmas this year. We are usually against getting on a plane during the holidays, but we needed to squeeze in Lila's last official "lap baby" flight before her big #2. We stayed with GiGi & Poppa for a week, but it didn't seem long enough. Lila loves visiting GiGi's house because is big with lots of places to explore. There are all kinds of stairs to climb, Christmas trees in every room and a never-ending supply of cookies and mints. Nana and Uncle Paul were there too so Lila got lots of attention. We got our first haircut, hosted a big party, played in the snow, and went shopping! It was the best time and we were sad to leave.

Christmas Eve - We headed to Little America Hotel for see the lights!

We woke Christmas morning to a foot of fresh snow!

GiGi's bathroom became Lila's pamper parlour.

Hanging out with Poppa and Doggie.

Gigi & "sssss" Snake

What the heck happened in here?

What's this baby doing here?

Well, we'll just give her a little breakfast...

And the winner of Lila's Christmas heart?

Uncle Paul's "Purple Monkey" in the strange graduation cap.

Otherwise known as "third wheel" says Doggie.

First Haircut

Lila received her very first haircut at 23 1/2 months. Thanks to Krystle for being so gentle and patient with this rowdy client. We were glad that Lila sat pretty still in the booster seat and even wore the green smock for the entire haircut. It could have been much more difficult if not for the distracting junk food. Really, she only got a slight trim but it was such a big deal. Lila turns two next week! It's hard to deny that our baby girl isn't such a baby anymore.

Spaghetti Night

Thanks Gramma

We hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving holiday! We celebrated with the Hicks side of the family at Will & Juliet Hartman's. It was a beautiful day in LA and the food was delicious as usual. I didn't take any blog-worthy pictures that day though. I was hoping for one of Lila chewing on a turkey leg, but she is still on her supermodel diet of water, crackers and raisins. Fortunately, Gramma Hicks made sure we had lots of fun things to do that week. Many great moments captured so here goes...

We visited the gigantic galleria in West Hills to check out the old-fashioned carousel. It was pretty beautiful with all different sorts of animals to ride. I think we went around four times. Oddly enough, both Gramma and Daddy felt sick after only one rotation. Pregnant Mommy is used to queasiness.

We had lunch at Dan's Super Subs... Daddy's favorite hometown place to eat.

The next day we headed to the Skirball Museum to check out the Noah's Ark exhibit. I highly recommend this place for kids. The exhibit is huge, educational and really entertaining. The kiddos can roam and play as they wish and art projects are provided too. The animals are made from random pieces of everyday items like coffee filters and hair combs. It was really easy to get camera-happy here.

Lila and her ducky friend souvenirs.

Did we have fun? Apparently so.

Thank You Gramma!

xxooxx

Ba-Woon

Big Sissy

Dancing With The Stars

Lila loves Dancing With The Stars just like her Mommy. Daddy is horrified, of course. We record it to watch after our naps while Daddy is at work. He can't complain this way.

The Tub

Bathtime has become more of an ordeal than it used to be. Not because Lila doesn't like the bath. It's just the opposite. She loves it. She refuses to leave it. This is a picture of one of her protests.

I believe she thinks she is hiding from us.

Pumpkin-ified

Today we visited the Lemo's Farm in Half Moon Bay to check out the pumpkins. Lot's of pumpkins. Hundreds. Lila raced up and down the straw-lined rows screaming "PUNKYS! PUNKYS!" It was pretty cool how easily amused she was by these things.

Lila's very own Oktoberfest!

Bowling Without Pins With Poppa

For your viewing pleasure, tilt head to the left. Cheek to shoulder.

Just Hanging Around the House...

GG & Poppa came to visit past weekend. Why we didn't get any pictures of the family together is a mystery to me. As usual, Lila was posed and ready to go.

Yes, that's a ponytail you see...

If only I could bottle up this laugh and sell it.

Lila & Momma

Powershower

Hairache

Lila hates having her hair brushed. She would rather eat the barrettes than wear them.

Below are images of a very rare sighting. One morning, she actually allowed me to give her a ponytail! It may have had something to do with the sharp objects I used to distract her. It didn't last long and it hasn't happened since, but I managed to get a picture of her first hairdoo!

Summertime

Thanks to Grandma & Grandpa Hicks for the great summer vacation in Lake Tahoe!

Fourth of July 2008

The Hicks' packed up and headed to Flagstaff, AZ to celebrate July 4th. We had a great time visiting with GG & Poppa along with many of their friends who were very excited to see Lila. When I was a kid, the Fourth was one of my family's favorite holidays. We usually went to Grandma & Grandpa's house in Independence, CA. There was always a parade (we even had our own float one year) followed by a huge BBQ and fireworks. GG & Poppa came very close to giving Lila the same experience minus the fireworks. Oddly enough, we didn't really miss them.

Lila, Momma & GG

A view of downtown Flagstaff before the parade.

A nice old guy let Lila sit in his flag chair.

She was REALLY happy to get these!

Momma & Lila cheering on the floats.

A little off topic, but check out the deer crossing the green in the backyard!

And finally, a little movie. We played Bocci Ball later in the afternoon. Lila was the loudest and most spirited cheerleader.