The Reptile Show

 Grandma had a great idea to take you to the Pomona Reptile Show and she was so right.  We were there 3 hours and you loved every minute of it with all the numerous reptiles that were there.  It was an expansive show covering an entire show room with 4 very long rows up and down set up with different companies and all their baby reptiles they were trying to sell. But we have our bearded dragon so I wasn't up for adding anymore reptiles to our one.  Above you are standing with the biggest monitor for 2014 that won the Guinness World Book of Records.  You were so calm and patient with each and every animal.

The longest booth we stopped at was way in the back, a rescue group made up of all girls that took in any reptile people didn't want.  You held 3 of their snakes for at least an hour.  Above you are holding the sweetest Burmese python.  She is not her full length by any means but she was big though.

Here your holding a baby kind snake that these girls rescued from Petsmart.  He was biting them and they did not feel he would be sold.  But once these girls took him in and held him nonstop he turned into a sweetie and actually fell asleep wrapped up in your warm fingers.  You held and played with him for at least 30 minutes and felt very comfortable.  I think the snake could since your calmness.

Here you are holding a really big corn snake.  He also really liked you as he fell asleep on you as well.  These girls were very special, hands on with their reptiles and instilling the spark of imagination in little ones like you.  And look how brave you are Emme!

Here you both are petting a tegu.  They aren't the nicest so you could only pet him.  But this couple at this booth were also great with you two educating you and letting you touch and hold whatever you wanted.

This is how all the tables looked...small plastic containers holding baby reptiles.  Here you are holding a spotted gecko.  I am so proud of you. You are brave, you are interested and you are reminding me of your grandpa John and his wonder for reptiles and all animals.  He also had a special gift with animals and he instilled in me my love for animals and I see that forming in you with these reptiles. 

Emme and Mommy Time

Fall and Winter is by far the most beautiful time of year where we live.  You and I have been taking a lot of scooter/walks together during the day when you aren't at school and you always stop to look at the beauty.  You remind me of me!

I mean come on....love

Oh To Be Home

We woke up the next morning after a long plane trip home the night before to amazing crispy clear weather.  We celebrated another Christmas morning opening your biggest gifts and then we went out for the best breakfast.  We were all so excited to have nice weather and be back home again in our beds.

Christmas in Illinois

We went to Illinois for 10 days this year for Christmas.  It was very cold (30s) and you kids had a cold but we still made the best of it and had a good time.  It's Christmas morning in these pictures and you kids had so much fun opening all your presents.  It was a whirlwind of a morning.  After presents we had a big breakfast.  Then we spent the day playing with our new presents and packing to go home the next day.

Above is your aunt Maggie and cousin Leah.  Here Daddy is reading you the Night Before Christmas on Christmas Eve (our tradition each year).  

Santa came to visit at the Harris Christmas party.  There are so many family members they rented out the cafeteria at the local higs chool to have enough room.  Santa and Ms Claus even showed up and sat with each kid and brought presents. 

Grammy and you two.

We had some of Daddy's friends and kids over one day and you guys had so much fun together.  This is Connor, daddy's friend Ryan's son.   

Here's Daddy's friends: right to left...Eric, Justin, Jacob and Ryan.  They have all been friends for a long time.

You two being silly with Papa.

You two are so excited for Santa to come...and look adorable in your Christmas, Hanna pjs. 

There is a tradition in this town where they line some of the streets with these luminary's.  It's a lot of work but looksso pretty once done.  We drove around and looked at all the lights. 

You guys were trying to figure out Uncle Derek's game on his phone.  

It finally warmed up the day we were leaving to be able to spend more than 5 minutes outside.  We had a lot of fun playing across the street at the park.  You two looked so cute all dressed for the cold.

Grammy and Papa decorated the whole house so pretty for Christmas.  It was really decked out beautifully.

The Symphony

I decided to take you to the symphony this year.  We saw Sherlock Holmes for Halloween, the Nutcracker and soon Beethoven. The Nutcracker so far is the best.  You are loving watching all the instruments play together with the violins being your favorite.  You are my little elf in this picture above.

I love spending this one on one time with you.  Mommy and Zackary time!  The best!

Probaba's 90th Birthday Party

ProBaba turned 90 and Uncle Steve threw her a big Serbian birthday party for her.  Their was the Serbian band there from the Orthodox Church and many of the families favorite Serbian foods.  The theme was red, Baba's favorite color.  Everyone was there and it was a lot of fun.  Your uncle Ryan got there the night before, woke at 3am and started roasting a pig and lamb and all this meat. 

Uncle Christopher drove down too for Baba and it was nice hanging out with him.  

ProBaba looked great and enjoyed her birthday.  Emeline you sat with her when we sang her Happy Birthday and blew out the candles.  I feel lucky that we could all celebrate such an amazing milestone with her...your great grandma.  Amazing!