Wild Lights 2014

One of my favorite family traditions is going to Wild Lights. We typically go on member preview night, which was the case again this year. I honestly think it was the best night to go. The night that we went, the temperature was still pretty mild, although I did still wear my long underwear under my jeans. LOL! It was that night that we had the first (and only) snow of the season, so it was just a really nice experience to walk around the zoo with the lights and a light snow falling. Well, at least it was for me. LOL! Scott and Trey were less enthusiastic about it than I was. Zoey seemed to like it though.

One of the things that we always do at Wild Lights is take Zoey to visit Santa. I have a snow flake ornament with Zoey's Santa picture from every year. This is the 4th year that she has seen Santa at the zoo (she was just a month old for her first Christmas and saw the Santa at the mall). This was the first year that she actually sat on Santa's lap and was able to tell him what she wanted. She even did an awesome job being patient while we stood in line. I was so proud of her.

We didn't do a whole lot of walking around looking at the lights. As I said before, neither of the boys were huge fans of looking at the lights, so we ended up leaving pretty early and heading to dinner at Chili's.

Thanksgiving

Well, I guess since Christmas is coming up in a few days, I had better write my blog post for Thanksgiving. LOL!

Thanksgiving was pretty awesome this year. I don't know that anyone other than Scott and I know this, but Thanksgiving last year was kind of hellish. Zoey became overwhelmed really easily at that time last year, she still wasn't very social (even with family), and the meltdowns were rough. Scott and I expended a great deal of energy trying to contain her and keep the meltdown at bay. I think last year we ate Thanksgiving dinner and left shortly after because she just wasn't tolerating it at all.

Thanksgiving this year was the total opposite. Zoey was fantastic and we were able to stay and spend time with the family playing games and just hanging out. Zoey was really great with everyone there. There were no moments of running and hiding from people. There were no meltdowns. It was just awesome!!!!

Prior to Thanksgiving, we had a pretty special moment. Zoey got to spend some time with Aunt Phyl baking. Together they made a pecan pie. Zoey even got a new apron, which she refused to take off for the rest of the day. Zoey was so proud of her pie and told everyone how she made a pie with her Aunt Phyl. This meant a lot to me because Aunt Phyl is such a great person and she has always tried so hard to connect with Zoey. Until the past 6 months, Zoey was not very cooperative.

Later that night and still wearing her apron

Once we got home from making pies, we continued making goodies and did our traditional Thanksfiving carmel corn.

Later that night, Zoey's cousins, Neko and Robbie, arrived and the craziness began. There were Nerf gun fights and pillow fights. Just all around fun!!!!

The next day was Thanksgiving and we headed back over to Aunt Phyl's for dinner and games. Again, it was such a good day. Zoey played with Neko and Robbie, we went for a walk around the park, and we ate some yummy yummy food.We had a lot to be thankful for :)

Kids Table

Food Coma LOL!

Relaxing while the adults play games

Helping Grandma Bev make turnovers

Game Time