Life and Times of the Hillins Family: November 2011

We spent 6+ glorious days in AZ for the Thanksgiving holiday. We took the same flights as Jeff, Dawn and the girls so we had a lot of together time which was nice and crazy all at the same time!! Trevor really got to know his Grandparents, Aunt, Uncle and cousins better this trip. It was fun to have everyone together!

We spent lots of time at the Troon North park. Trevor enjoyed playing with his Dada's old toy truck.

Seriously, when did he get so big and old?

Kids really do mirror the look and actions of their parents. In some format, both Brian and Sara have this look but really what he was doing here was throwing the ball underhand!

Trevor sees the camera and he knows just what to do! Smile and say cheese! Good thing because Mama takes a lot of pictures. A lot...try 535 on our Thanksgiving trip! Yikes!! No wonder it takes so long to get pictures uploaded after a trip - it takes a long time sorting through them to narrow down which ones to post!!

We bought this car toy for the pool on one of our previous trips. Looks like it is now a pool or sand toy!

Dada was a great soccer player and it looks like Trevor is following in his footsteps!

Or maybe basketball is more his calling?

Papa wasn't afraid to get down and play with the kiddos. He is very good at giving airplane rides. Love how T puts his arms out just like Buzz!

He's not having any fun is he? ;)

Maybe Trevor needs a smaller basketball? He'd walk over and say 'heavy'!

Trevor and Lauren were best buds as always. Monkey see, monkey do! How cute is this!!

Ta da! That is what Trevor says anytime something happens, like the lights turn on or Trevor colors a picture, he says 'ta da' - arm motion and all!

We enjoyed a little picnic of snacks before heading back home. The kiddos sure worked up an appetite playing!

At the Hillins Lauren, Brooke and Trevor enjoyed eating at their own little table at each meal. They even shared a special plate - rotating it among the three of them for each meal. Although, I think Trevor was okay giving up his turn when it was his time! What a nice 'sharer'!

We got in some swims too. The weather was pretty good, maybe kinda cold, but Papa heated the pool to 86+ and put the heaters over the beach area of the pool so the kids (and adults) could enjoy some pool time! Here Trevor was saying "I swimming!"

Yes, Mommy?

Blowing bubbles with Dada:

On Sunday night Lauren helped to make our favorite corn casserole. She is really into baking/cooking and is quite the helper!!

We weren't joking about the Lauren-Trevor bond. They are too cute together!

iphone or ipad, doesn't really matter to these two!

The memory game was a big hit with the kiddos and Uncle Jeff. Trevor is getting very good at memory on his ipod apps.

This was a few too many cards for him but acted like he knew what was going on!

On Monday Grandma Pauline and the three of us checked out the horseys nearby.

Trevor apparently thought he would help pick the horsey's nose!

Grandma tried her hand at a lasso!

Trevor didn't want to sit on the play saddle but he liked sitting up high next to the horse!

The Hillins' have a gorgeous house with a wonderful view of the famed Pinnacle Peak. Mommy always practices her photography while visiting :) (535 pictures remember?)

One of Mommy's favorites:

On Tuesday afternoon we visited the train park. Trevor really enjoys riding the choo choo! Although Mommy and Daddy think it's pretty neat too!

"All aboard!" (Which when we got home Trevor started saying all on his own but also added choo choo at the end so he goes "All abbbboooooooard choo choo")

One time around the tracks just wasn't enough so we waited in the short line for another ride. Trevor doesn't mind waiting if there is a jungle gym around.

Or his version of a jungle gym!

Such a happy, happy boy. We are so blessed!

Second time around we got to ride in his favorite car so he can sit or stand.

Poser!

He was sure to close the door and then try to open it over and over!

On our way home we stopped at Greasewood for a bite to eat. Trevor had his usual - hot dog while Mommy and Daddy enjoyed the best burgers and brewskies. Cheers!

Our little cowboy went to check out the donkeys:

One evening we ventured out to eat some Mexican food. Unfortunately Lauren wasn't feeling so well so Dawn and Lauren stayed behind.

Trevor's favorite part of the meal? Limes! We're afraid he's getting ready for tequila shooters next!

One day John, Pauline, Jeff and Brian played golf so Dawn and Sara took all of the kiddos to the park. Trevor went back to practicing his mad soccer skills, with a basketball!

He got a bit tired!

We got some cute pictures of him :)

And you wonder how we got to 535 pictures? :)

Weeeeeeeeeeee!

The bubbles were a big hit!

Trevor enjoyed teeter-tottering with Leah.

As well as spending time with Lauren exploring the ring she found.

After a rough first night, Trevor slept pretty well at night. Naps...well, those are a different story. Pretty sure he didn't take one nap in the crib. He much preferred sleeping on Mommy and Daddy's bed!

The kids watched some TV. How stinkin' cute are these kids?!!

On Wednesday night we celebrated Trevor's birthday. A few days early but we were flying home on Friday afternoon so it didn't make sense to do it then.

Trevor has the CUTEST smile!

Trevor did a great job pointing out all of the cacti to us. Here is Trevor's little cactus that Papa planted for him. Trevor however was pointing out the big cactus right next to it!

Dada and Trevor before his party:

We picked out a cake that had layers of real cake and ice cream. To go with the theme we cut out Mickey from agreeting card and put that on his cake. Turned out pretty cute!

Trevor thought it looked pretty cool!

He was all smiles until we shut off the light and lit the candles and started singing Happy Birthday. He actually climbed down off the stool and went running over to the corner crying. Poor guy!

So we had a round two with the lights on and with Mommy and Daddy and it went much better!

Trevor received a talking Woody doll, some puzzles, books, and a cowboy hat just like Woody's!

A quick pick of T and his two older girl cousins.

Trevor and his cowboy hat. He thought he was pretty neato...and looked the part too!

Trevor wasn't shy to dig into his birthday cake. It was pretty tasty!

Yum!

After cake the kiddos had a ball playing with the balloons.

Before taking a late night hot tub dip, Uncle B and Lauren put together a puzzle. This was a daily occurance for B and the girls. Pretty sure they did like 20+ puzzles!!

On Thursday we took in a bit of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade before taking a brief walk! Trevor really was taking it all in!

The dining room table was complete with the name card turkeys that Lauren made for us!

After our wonderful meal, the kiddos burned off some energy by doing circles in the courtyard!

And it gave Mommy the opportunity for more pictures of almost two year old.

Gotta love his one raised eyebrow look!

Ah and those chubby cheeks. Love!

We thought it would be a good night for the sunset....

...but we were a tad late after getting our family's act together. That's okay, the sky still looked pretty cool in these pics!

Cave!

Pretty neat shot with the line of red sky.

Grandma found a cowboy hat for Leah too!

Our little cowboy!

To mark the last day of our one year old we let Trevor stay up a bit late and join in the late night hot tub party!

On Friday, which was T's actual birthday he enjoyed a breakfast of skinny pancakes.

A big thank you to Aunt Nancy for sending Trevor a birthday card and gift of Toy Story 'tattoos'. Trevor thought they were a hoot and of course picked out Buzz and Woody to put on his arms. He always wanted his sleeves up so that he could see his friends :)

We took T to the park to have some fun on his birthday. No joke, on the way to the park, let's say an hour after eating Trevor decided he needed food right then. He repeated food until we stopped at Walgreens and picked up some Fruit Loops. Honestly, this kid may eat us out of house and home ;)