Fun day at home

It was a beautiful day so we took advantage of outdoor fun.  Grandmommy took all the kids on a walk while mommy went and got a coffee.  Once the girls were sleeping, mommy broke out her craft stuff to make some birthday cards.  We had a blast but I'm not sure if it was the actual process of making the cards or watching grandmommy discover a whole new world.

Here are grandmommy's cards.  In case you noticed the broken plate behind the cards, that's our wedding plate that broke while the Xmas decorations were taken down.  I did my best to glue it.

Here are Jbird and my cards.  He actually stamped all the letters and cakes :)  Well done J.  

It wouldn't be a regular day around here if it didn't involve jumping on the trampoline!!  I did look outside at one point and Jbird was "jumping" Mabel.  Um, that means that she was on the trampoline and he jumps right next to her so she flops around.  Um again because I didn't put her on the trampoline...Jbird did.  Oh wait, and Mabel LOVES it!

Mabel loves the playhouse.  She opens and closes the door over and over.  Hmmm...sounds familiar.

 Mabel rode the roller coaster all by herself.  Well, I help her over the first hump and then let her go on her own.  Amelia supervised Mabel and her baby doll taking turns :)

 Grandmommy thinks J's hair would be cute long so she trimmed up the sides and we'll see how it looks when we let the rest grow.  I'm not sure about this... :)

Another fun day with Grandmommy.  We love you!!!!!

Mom and Dad on New Year's Eve

Not a great pic but we rarely get photo opps together so I don't care

Some sweet moments...

 Annie laying with Mabel while she eats her last bottle before bed

Amelia helping Grandmommy with the dishes.  Grandmommy showed Amelia how to use rubber gloves

Grandmommy with Mabel on the trampoline

  Jack and Annie came over for breakfast New Years Eve morning.  Amelia has underwear on just so you know I don't let her run around naked all the time.

Balboa Island, Newport Beach CA

Another place we've wanted to take the kids so we motivated to go today.  We had a great time.  We took the ferry over, played on the beach, walked to the end of the pier, went out to lunch and then had ice cream.

(Comparing footprints)

The best way to ride across the ferry

Yes, I am in my ski jacket because it was really chilly when the day started!  I look terrible but Amelia looks darling.

Off to celebrate New Years!  Kids are in bed and Ryan and I are headed out!  Thank you grandmommy :)

Coolest Christmas present ever!!!!

Our neighbors, the Georges, made us a super cool present this year.  They made magnets out of our family and their family.  How cool are these for the kids to play with!!!!

Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

Ryan and I have been talking about taking the kids here for awhile so we thought we would go today with Grandmommy!  

He was one happy kid when he saw Air Force One.  He kept asking if it was time to get on the airplane yet.

Waiting in line to get on the plane.

He was very curious as to how the airplane got in the building.  So were we :)

If you know Jbird, he's obsessed with planes, specifically fighter jets.  We came to a water fountain and Jeremy and Amelia asked for coins to throw in so I searched and found some.  I told them they had to make a wish before they threw it in and Jeremy said, "I already wished to be a fighter jet pilot!" Yikes, I hope not :)

Christmas 2010

Grandmommy got here a few days before Christmas and we've had lots of fun.  Mabel had for breakfast the first morning grandmommy was here but what else is new!

Daddy hooked up with Wii so we've played some golf, bowling and tennis.  Amelia doesn't know how to use the remote so she decided to use the flip video and record it.

We went to candy cane lane, made lots of yummy treats, went to the park, went on a long walk and got ready for Christmas!

We hosted Christmas Eve dinner with Oma, Opa, Uncle "Titan", Aunt Windy, cousins Kalea and Kira!  We ate fried chicken, ham, sweet potato casserole (thank you Grandmommy/Mary), mashed potatos, green beans and dessert.  We played a game of Guesstures and it was so much fun.  Once everyone left, we cleaned up and put out all the presents.  It was quiet and peaceful and beautiful.

I got up a few minutes before everyone, turned on the lights, poured a cup of coffee and sat on the couch to enjoy a moment of peace.  Well, Mabel was up 15 minutes later so her and I enjoyed some down time before this...

Mabel found the presents first and started to open them :)

Then J and A woke up and both got what they asked Santa for.  Stinky the garbage truck for J and a new baby doll for Amelia.

 I had to post this picture so Amelia could hate me one day for doing it.  Check out the hair!!!!

 Mabel watched quietly but actually pulled some paper off the presents but lost interest.  Here they are helping her unwrap her Snoopy snow cone maker.

(the only picture with me was taken by grandmommy's phone so the quality is not great)

When the girls went down for their naps, Jbird and I headed up to Oma and Opa's to help get ready for Christmas dinner.  Daddy and Grandmommy would come up when M and A woke up.  The festivities began and it wouldn't be a holiday at Oma and Opa's if there wasn't...

Boys gathered around the computer watching fighter jets, helicopters, etc...

way too much food...

beautiful decorations...

lots of stockings...

 

and presents!  

 It was dinner time for the adults and Mabel sat with us.  She chewed on a piece of meat during dinner and loved it.  She loved it so much she thought putting it on her head would be fun.  Needless to say, she got a bath afterwards. 

It was a perfect day and reminded me what's truly important.  Love, health and happiness.  Merry Christmas!  Only 365 days until Christmas!