Back from Texas

Tyler and I just got back today from a fantastic 2+ week trip to Texas. Michael joined us for the first part of the trip but had to come back early for work. I have hundreds of photos (literally!) from the trip that are still on the camera and will post the highlights soon. In the meantime, here are a few outtakes from the photo shoot I did for our Christmas newsletter.

Merry Christmas!

Zoo Lights

We took advantage of the break in the rain and the mild temperatures last night and checked out the Zoo Lights. We knew Tyler would enjoy it because he gets excited about all the Christmas lights he sees when we are out after dark.

Tyler posed with the bear but wouldn't give him a high five when I held him up to the bear paw. He was a little traumatized by the live Rudolph, which was actually a person in a furry outfit. He waved to Rudolph from a distance but cried when I tried to get closer.

We rode the zoo train. At first Tyler seemed a little overstimulated by all the lights and he was also hungry. But after a little snack he really started perking up by the end of the train ride and calling out "Choo choo!"

Family self-portrait on the train

The goat seemed amused that Tyler kept calling out "Baaaaaaaa." This was one of the few animals that is viewable at night while Zoo Lights is going on.

Cheese

Tyler has started saying "Cheese!" without any prompting when I break out the camera. This is great when I want a posed photo with a smile, but it definitely makes it harder to capture random shots of Tyler when he is absorbed in an activity and I don't want him to notice the camera.

Fire Trucks

We were at the Portland Saturday Market this morning and so we strolled by the fire station next to the market. Tyler could barely contain himself when he saw all the fire trucks in the station. Later we even saw a fire truck heading back into the station with its flashing lights on.

Clapping and Dancing

Here is our little ham performing in front of our mirrored closet doors.

Inflatable Fun with Calvin and Christopher