Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Merry Christmas

We did something new this year, and that was to go to Maggiano's (the best italian food I've ever had) for Christmas eve. We had enought leftovers to last us the entire weekend and I didn't have to cook a thing. So yummy! The bishop and his family did have us over for Christmas dinner so we did have the traditional stuff but it was nice not to have to worry about all the bells and whistles. We also had a special surprise Christmas eve. It started snowing and Luke insisted in going out and playing in it even though it was dark. I couldn't say no to the kid seeing as it was Christmas eve.

The kids got to open up their Christmas eve present which was pajamas. I was worried they would be disappointed but they seemed content just to be able to rip something open.

I guess Luke and Bella were good kids this year because Santa hooked them up.

Christmas morning and our little snow bunny wanted to go play. We had a good 4inches. It was our first white Christmas that me James have had since we got married.

Luke conducting his new trian set.

For the past couple months Bella's favorite thing to do it color. After she finished opening her presents she went straight to this table. We have to hide our writing utesil because if anything is within her reach she will find it and color on any piece of paper she can get her hads on (including books, magazines, trash, and important documents).

Happy Second Birthday Baby Girl ( Under the Sea Style )

Bella turned two and the lucky girl got 2 birthday parties. A small one with the fam on her actual birthday and big party the following Sat. Below is her receiving a present from her Grandma Betty. She was so excitedDolls, Dolls and more Dolls. That night she even forfeited her Baby Horsey (which she has had attached to her hip since birth) so that she could sleep with all of her dolls.





I asked Bella in early Dec what type of party she wanted to have and I was actually slightly shocked when she responded that she wanted a Mermaid party (I was totally obsessed with Mermaids when I was a child). I have a few things that my mom had saved from my childhood that help with the decor.
We had bubbles, a lagune filled with stuffed animals. I dressed the kids up for fun, making Bella an Ariel tutu dress and when I asked Luke what he wanted to dress up like for the party (thinking he would say something like a shark or octopus) he said "I want to be prince Eric". What party would be complete without friends. This is baby Eli with his dad Jake.

The kids played pin the tail on the Mermaid and won prizes ( I let the little ones cheat with no blind fold)
Tyson showing us his skills
Good try buddy!


I made my first pinata. Unfortunately I made it super tough and ended up having to crack it open with the brute strength of my foot.
Go Craig!

This pic is funny cause it looks like Flounder is trying to get away.






Thanksgiving and Sea World

We went down to San Antonio to spend Thanksgiving with James brother Joe, his wife Lisa and their 3 children. It was a ton of fun with fun people and good food. Thanks so much for having us guys. We ended up going to Sea World two of the days we were there. Good times. Me petting the dolphin and Bella giggling historically (she has a thing for animals)

Yeah that's a shark

Luke sat on Santa's lap 3X this year. Every time he told Santa that he wanted" 2 trains Gordon and James". Once at the library he even waited in line by himself because Bella (and mommy) were to impatient too, he marched right up sat on his lap, told him what he wanted, jumped down and walked away. People were looking around going "wheres his mom?"











Love at Home

It snowed back in November and Luke begged me to make a snow man. This was the outcome. Complete with jeweled eyes and an pineapple top hat.
So we got this play structure back and November thinking the kids would love it. Well they could care less for it until last week when we finally got the sand box set up. Now its the first thing they ask to do in the morning.
Our first time with figure paints. We made some train Christmas tree ornaments.














California here we come!

So we went out to California for Halloween and the first couple weeks of Nov. What a fun trip. I mean it was fun to live there but its even funner to vacation there. We Heart San Clemente

The airplane ride was fun (Sarcasm)

Yeah but we made it!

Luke got excited the first night we were there saying "mom this bed is so soft"


Happy Halloween!


Young love


Adam and Tori



Rachelle getting the Zac attach.


Trick or Treating with the Syed clan. We miss you guys.



Yeah, don't tell James about this one, but how cute! Seriously!


Awe Grandpa's bath tub
I love this train, its a classic.
So at the Spectrum they have a pet store and they let you walk their dogs. It lasted about five minutes. I did get this adorable pic of Luke and Tori (below) with there first child. They are so funny together.We wore them out. Bella is asleep to you just can't see her in this pic.Sneaky, sneaky got a stool and ambushed the Halloween candy when I wasn't looking. Could I really get upset at them with those faces.
The baby beach was fun. There was a sea lion in the harbor that day, it was pretty cool

Bella doing "her makeup"


Luke loves baby Suri


GIRLS NIGHT OUT!

Girl Power



and then it got a little weird.