Christmas 2011

After Disney Land we headed back to our place for our Christmas Celebrations. Patrick had to work Christmas morning so we decided to wait until after church to do present opening so that he could be there too. The kids did extremely well with this and it was nice to have a chance to focus on Christ first. We also started a new tradition of writing down a goal that will help us come closer to Christ through out the year as a "Gift" to our Savior. Both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were packed with yummy food. I did not take very many pictures but here are a few.

Andy ask Santa for a Big Woody Toy for Christmas. He was a very happy  boy to get it.

Everyone busy present opening.

Trying to Capture the craziness that is gift opening,

I am super grateful for a family who is willing to driving down to San Diego and spend Christmas with us because Pat's schedule didn't allow for us to go to them. It was a lot of fun! Love you all!

A Disneyland Christmas!

Well, it's the end of January, I'm trying to stay up late as I transition to a month of working nights, and it's about high time Julie and I post something about Christmas! Julie's family made the trip to San Diego for the holiday, and a joint decision was made to spend the Friday before Christmas at Disneyland. Given Andy's obsession with Mickey Mouse, it is safe to assume that he was pretty excited!

Group photos at the entrance to Disneyland. It was a bit chilly in the morning, but rapidly warmed up. Two additional comments...the hats were designed to make us easy to spot in a crowd (mission accomplished), and the only person I know who can make the outfit actually look cool is Troy. I want to be him when I grow up!

When Andy saw Mickey at the entrance to the park, he was more than a little excited to actually get to meet him.

If we had turned around and left Disneyland after taking this picture, Andy would have considered the day a resounding success!

Matching princesses!

Teacups with Grandma. It's hard to top that!

I rode with Andy and Mattox. Apparently, I had an evil glint in my eye, because I was warned several times by both of them not to go too fast.

Merry-Go-Round with Andy. Listening to him shout out his version of "Yee-haw" (more of a "Nee-haw), as he tried to kick his horse into high gear was pretty entertaining!

We were able to actually locate Peter Pan. As you can see, Mattox wasn't too sure about this guy. Given his choice of wardrobe, I can't say that I disagree!

Cinderella and crew. Mattox had no problem getting close to a pretty princess. Two words...Giddy-Up!

Andy's favorite ride was the Buzz Light-Year Space Adventure. We must have ridden it at least 10 times...within an hour...and he was mad when I finally refused any more. Irate, even.

On the way to the hotel. As a parent, you know the day was a success when your kid is so exhausted he passes out in your arms on the way home!

Well, that's it for now. We'll be adding some more pictures from Christmas itself here shortly. I'll even try to include some of Julie (in my defense, she was with Andy and me the entire time at Disneyland. She just stayed behind the camera)!

October and November 2011

Well, 2011 is over and I realized that I did a terrible job blogging this year. Luckily Patrick kept us a float with his occasional posts.  Here are some pictures wrapping up 2011.

October:

Andy and his friend Aleia carving his pumpkin.

 Halloween is one of my Dad's favorite holidays. He loved taking his children trick-or-treating and now he loves taking his grandchildren. This was Andrew's first Halloween at Granddad's. It was a blast. He ran door to door with his cousins all the way down his Granddad's Street. At the end all the little one were about tuckered out they ran so fast. I really enjoyed watching them and so did my Dad.

Sweet little kitty cat and almost terrifying dragon. 

Leta looks like she needs to eat some more prunes.

Look at those comb overs.

Ava all tuckered out!

November:

Legos with Grandma.

 For my birthday Patrick took me to Monterey without the Munchkin! Our first over night date since Andrew was born. Thanks to my parents and my sister!

 We decided to Celebrate Andrew's Birthday early since we were in Sacramento and thought it would be fun to have his cousins there. We went to my parents cabin. Andy loves it up there and so do the rest of us.

My first attempted at the dotting frosting technique, I think it turned out well. Thanks Leta for helping dot and Mom for making the frosting!

First Shooting lesson.

My mom made me pie!

Pulling the string on the Pinata.

More string pulling!

When all the strings where pulled and each kid had a turn at hitting it with a stick, it was Pat's turn to destroy the pinata. 

New Bike!

Ending the night with Marshmallows! 

Patrick had to work on Thanksgiving... ALL DAY (He left early in the morning and got home at about 1am the next day.)! So we did Thanksgiving dinner on Friday. It was Yummy!

I still need to download December's picture from the camera, but I am sure this is enough to digest until I do.