A White Christmas

Merry Christmas to all! We just got back home from a wonderful white Christmas with family in Colorado. More pictures to come soon :)

CSUN's Tacky Christmas Sweater Party

The CSUN students decided to give our Christmas party a theme- tacky sweater night. We didn't have any tacky sweaters, so we just came dressed normal (boring, I know).

Now here are some good tacky sweaters (not everyone in this pic participated :)

Brianne had actual 3D people and presents hanging off of her sweater (I think she won).

Brooke was in a close second with those antlers! Unfortunately I didn't stay very long (I needed to put a little baby to sleep) and missed playing the games, singing carols, and listening to Jesse's Christmas message. We love these college kids!

Grandma and Grandpa's visit

Grandma and Grandpa just visited us all the way from beautiful Steamboat Springs, CO. We celebrated Christmas with them and my parents Friday night (who will be in AZ Christmas day). We enjoyed a big dinner, and opened some presents.

Grandpa enjoyed reading to Maddie.

Jesse and his mom eating cup cakes.

Maddie loved opening presents! She loves her play manger scene from Papa and Mimi.

Papa and Mimi (and Grandpa and Grandma) loved their Christmas gift from the grand kids- a calendar made on-line featuring our family!

Saturday we went to Porto's for lunch and hung out at the house since it was pouring! That night the grandparent's baby sat while Jesse and I went to a Christmas party.

After church on Sunday we went to Aroma Cafe- one of our favorite restaurants. Then had story time and naps :)

How cute!!

Grandma came to the park with us on Monday.

Aw...

Grandma and Grandpa were kind enough to baby sit again Monday night when we went to another Christmas party. I think Grandma kinda liked the job :). Here's Maddie's new favorite animals that Grandma and Grandpa gave her. She's hilarious making the elephant sound!

Thank you both for coming out. We miss you and love you!

Favorite Chair

Madison loves her new chair from Aunt Dottie, Papa, and Mimi. She has enjoyed reading, playing, and watching movies in it. Last night I found it covered in chocolate, yes, the new pink chair had chocolate all over it! She had climbed up on my desk, taken chocolate candies down, unwrapped them, and proceeded to make a mess eating them in her new seat (she was also full of chocolate, of course). You might be asking yourself, where were her parents? Well, we were talking in the living room with a couple Jesse will be marrying in a couple weeks. Hmmm....better keep a closer eye on this one!

(By the way, the chocolate came out in the wash :)

My Giggle Monster

Disneyland

Here's Madison's first look as we entered Main Street.

My mom, Maddie, and I went to Disneyland for my birthday on Thursday (since you go free on your big day).

Maddie loved the carousel!

Her eyes were fluttering as we flew around on the tea cups. It seemed like she enjoyed it!

It's A Small World redecorates just for Christmas. It was beautiful, but really sad that there was absolutely no mention of Jesus and His birth. The world misses why we rejoice this season.

Mads kept pointing at each new scene with such excitement.

Main Street and the tree.

In front of the castle.

Dumbo!

We went to Toon Town towards the end of the day. I think Madison had had it- she just laid on the ground! A bit tired.

That's my girl!

Watching the Christmas Parade.

Madison fell asleep during the parade and all of dinner. So, my mom and I enjoyed a quiet meal at Big Thunder Ranch BBQ.

Right before the fireworks show, Maddie woke up!

Brrrr....it was so cold!

Castle at night.

The next morning we walked around Downtown Disney.

This was certainly a fun way to celebrate my birthday! I'm so glad we were able to go. Thanks for joining us, Mom!

We did miss Jesse, but I had a wonderful dinner out with him the night before.

Thanksgiving Weekend

The three amigas on Thanksgiving. Mimi bought them matching clothes from Old Navy- too cute!

We spent the day at my sister's in-laws (the James) in Santa Clarita. We ate, played games, and watched the kids play together. After a whole day of sitting, we decided to go to the playground. We enjoyed being together!

Not sure who loved this more :)

Everyone took a walk around the park.

We might have some musicians in the family after all!

Friday morning started out with a good teeth cleaning! Madison loves brushing her teeth when we do ours!

A little stroll in the neighborhood.

One of Maddie's favorite ways to take a walk!

Then we decorated for Christmas- I love listening to Christmas music and decorating with Jesse. Maddie helped out this year. That night we had the cousins over for pumpkin pie. Maddie liked showing them our tree and her room.

Saturday morning was a Mickey Mouse pancake breakfast made by Papa. Delicious!!

Charis is such a good big cousin.

Then more playing at the park. I love this picture! Mads was giggling with her Aunt.

Lissy and Mom- it's so fun to be altogether!

I love this little outfit- red shoes and a little black Scottie dog on the front. I think I had an outfit similar to this one when I was little!

Madison loves walking around the house in our shoes!