North Pole Experience

FRIDAY

Opa, Oma, Daddy, Mommy, Hayli, & Hana went to the North Pole Experience for the first time today.  We had so much fun!

When we got to the workshop, the girls made donation bears with the elves.  I was so excited (and relieved) that Hayli and Hana gave up their own creations so willingly!  What good girls they are.  So cute!

Then it was time for Elf University (EU).  Hayli even rose her hand and got called on to answer a question! 

It was off to see Santa next!

On the way back to the lodge, Hayli volunteered to sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star for the entire bus!  She really is a true performer!

After the workshop, the girls sat with Mrs. Claus to read some stories before dinner.  What a fun time we all had.  It is going to be a definite family tradition.

SATURDAY

We had breakfast with Santa on Saturday.  It was so much fun, we hated to leave!

Hayli found Mrs. Claus' singing doggie... so funny!

On the way home, I was trying to teach Hana to say "Ho Ho Ho" and "Merry Christmas".  I think we still need to work on it a bit!

Rossi*Shaefer*Claycomb Family Vacation

9 Aug - Day One - Rossi Family Arrives

Today the Rossi family arrived after their two day drive to Las Cruces.  Unfortunately, I had to work at the preschool almost as soon as they arrived, but it gave them an opportunity to relax and settle in!

10 Aug - Day Two - Gymnastics & Swimming (& an open house for my new business)

Another relaxing day for the Rossi clan.  I hope they don't get used to it... I have a week of fun planned for them starting tomorrow!  We switched Hayli and Hana's gymnastics class to the morning...

Everyone enjoyed a dip in Oma's pool today. 

I had a 31 party that had a great turn-out!  Teri and Oma helped me set up and Oma let me use her house for the party.  Thank you Teri and Oma!

11 Aug - Day Three - Horseback Riding & BobO's (and a late night @ Western Playland)

This morning, we went to Pony Patch Ranch for some horseback riding fun for the kiddos!  The kids had a great time.  Even though it was only 10am, it was too hot for Hayli...  It didn't help that her horse, Levi, was the slowest one of the lot either!  LOL!  Hayli enjoyed the first round of trotting but the second round for mommy didn't go over too well.  I think she was just too hot!

After horseback riding, we attempted to go to Western Playland.  Unfortunately, the park did not open until 7pm!  WHAT!  So, calm Oma had us go to BobO's.  They had bumper boats, a race track, mini golf and an indoor arcade!  The funniest part of the venture for mommy?  When Teri, Riley Jo, Oma, and Hayli came off of the bumper boats soaking wet!  Who would think???  LOL!

We went back home for Hayli's dance class and dinner.  Coach Austin had a blast with the girls!

After dinner, we headed back to Western Playland.  Everyone had a great time and we were there until the park closed.  Poor Hana missed most of it.  Poor thing slept through it!

12 Aug - Day Four - Farm and Ranch Museum & Art with Isadora!

This morning we went to the Farm & Ranch Museum.  The kids enjoyed watching Buttercup be milked. 

The extra time we had at the museum led us to discover a children's play grocery store!

We got a private tour too (first time for us to do that!).  It was a lot of fun.

In the afternoon, Hayli & Riley Jo went to Isadora's studio to do art.  They were thrilled to present us their pieces of art!

13 Aug - Day Five - Fire Station #6, Lowe's Build and Grow, El Paso Zoo, & Tristan's 4th Birthday Party

We started the day with a tour of the #6 Fire Station here in Las Cruces.  The kiddos (Hana, Hayli, Riley Jo, Kyle, & Tyler) seemed to have a great time there!

After we saw the fire department, off we went to the Lowe's Build and Grow Project.  I hope that the Rossi family had a good time!  I know Hayli did!

The El Paso Zoo awaited us after the construction zone!  Mommy and Oma missed out on most of this experience as Mommy was really not feeling well and Oma was super Oma and stayed with Mommy as she began to feel better!

After the Zoo, Hayli and Mommy were off to Tristan's 4th birthday party!  It was a dinosaur theme and it really was a lot of fun!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRISTAN!

14 Aug - Day Six - Family Photos at White Sands National Park, & Train Museum

Grace met us at the White Sands Natonal Park at 8am.  We took photos for two hours but we had a great time, and even sled down the dunes a couple of times before heading to the Train Museum.

The Train Museum was interesting.  We took a ride around the park in the train...

When we got home... the kiddos played ring around the rosie and mother may I.  So cute!

15 Aug - Day Seven - Adventure Zone

Today was Hayli & Hana's first day of school, but we thought we would end the day with a trip to Adventure Zone.  It was a lot of fun!  The boys enjoyed the go karts a lot.  Hayli's favorite part?  The jumper with the trampoline -- crazy girl!

16 Aug - Day Eight -  Bounce for Fun!

After school, we loaded up and went to Bounce for Fun at the mall.  WOW... Hana had a blast!  A big thank you to Tyler, who took Hana under his wing and she really enjoyed her time with him!

17 Aug - Day Nine - Rossi clan go home =0(

Road Trip - Day 12

Today was our final full day in St. Louis. We started the day swimming.  Hana tried to blow bubbles with Grandpa while Hayli enjoyed diving for a water rocket!

We then went to the transportation museum. 

We really enjoyed the museum, but there was an extra surprise today! The museum was going to reveal a new postage stamp.  It was awesome that Hayli was able to help the Post Master reveal the stamp!  Go Hayli!!!

To finish the day, we went to Tony's house for dinner.  Hayli and Hana really enjoyed feeding the ducks...

The entire time that we were visiting with Grandpa, Hana would ask Hayli to get her some "nummy nummy"s.  Hayli knew how to work Grandpa's M&M machine, so she would get some for Hana.  It was so cute!!!



Road Trip - Day 11

Today we went to the turtle farm first thing this morning!  It was a lot of fun... I was surprised at how warm it was so early...

After the turtle farm, we went to the butterfly house in St. Louis.  The girls had so much fun here; it is going to be really hard to leave!

Road Trip - Day 10

Today we went to the St. Louis Zoo.  We had a lot of fun!  Hayli enjoyed the sea lion show.  Hana missed most of it because she was sleeping, but when she woke up -- she was thrilled to see the large animals!

We just had to see the elephants since we missed them last year... Hayli named the elephant Peanut!  How cute!

The zoo added sharks to the sting ray pond.  We were allowed to feed the sting rays.  Yes, Hayli fed sting rays...  Mommy,however, screamed like a little girl when the sting rays tried to eat out of my hand.  It feels like a vacuum suction on your hand...  EEWWWW...

but Mommy did pet the sting rays and sharks!!!  The young sting rays and small sharks were smooth, while the older sting rays and the large shark felt like sand paper.

Hayli and Hana enjoyed the country music and danced to it while waiting for the train!

The last thing we did at the zoo was the Merry Go Round.  Hayli was so excited, and we rode it until the very last train back to the stroller!

Road Trip - Day 9

Today we went to grandpa's aunt's house. The Kevers always have a house full!  Today Cousin Mary cut Hayli's bangs and put feathers in the girls' hair.  What a nice surprise!

Road Trip - Day 7

Today we ventured to Six Flags.  Yes, we are crazy!  But Hayli loved it. 

She went on a lot of the rides I didn't think she would go on.  Hayli went on the log ride with Daddy and Grandpa!  I think her face here says it all!

Hayli joined Daddy and me on the raft ride.

There was a small kid section where Hayli insisted on riding all the rides that make us "big" kids sick!!! (Can you find Hana on the balloon ride?)

We didn't get to spend a lot of time at the water park.  They closed at 6pm when we thought they closed at 9pm.

After Six Flags, we had some strawberry cheesecake icecream cake for Daddy's birthday...  For dinner, we ate at Red Lobster to celebrate Daddy's birthday!

Hana really says "Cheese" well now... so cute!

I didn't think the girls would touch the lobsters... but I was WRONG!