Busy, fun day with Grammy Eve

First, we saw Santa! Clare surprised us all by instantly warming up

to him. She shared a group hug with him and Xander, then climbed
right up and started chatting with him. Both kids were so into it.
Santa originally had Xander sit next to him on his huge purple chair,
but as he turned to get Clare situated on his left knee, Xander climbed
right up onto the right. Santa didn't seem to mind. Xander also went
back and climbed up again -- and kept on talking to him -- as we waited
for the photos to be printed out. Best Santa ever.


Then the kids went cuckoo for this photo booth in the mall. We took some
photos after they played in it for awhile.


Ready for her closeup.


After lunch at Vic's and Xander's half day of kindergarten, we picked him up
(in Grammy Eve's rented minivan -- a huge hit with both kids; Xander wants
one now), and headed to Tacoma. We grabbed Mike at a work thing, and then
headed to Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo. It was even more fun this year,
which I wouldn't have thought was possible.


We had the whole carousel to ourselves
before the crowds descended.


Clare loved her first ride on a merry-go-round.


Grammy Eve liked this one best.






Looking at the meerkats.




Just one of about a zillion cool light displays at the zoo.


Then, right before we left, Xander and Grammy rode this...


...camel! Clare was so, so sad that she wasn't old enough to ride too. Next year.



Here's a little video of them riding. You can hear Clare
crying in the beginning: "My turn!" She's still talking
about that camel and how she's going to ride it
next year with Daddy.

Camel ride at Zoolights from stacee on Vimeo.