Katherine's 6th Birthday Party

I completely forgot to post this before, but for memories sake I want to do so now.

A few weeks ago I took the kids to my brother's house for my niece Katherine's 6th birthday party. I remember when Katherine was born, and CAN NOT believe it has been 6 years already! She is the sweetest, most beautiful, little girl. I always wish they lived closer so we could see each other more often.

Here are some pics from our visit.

Brynnie and Auntie comparing baby bumps, LOL~

Uncle Nate put balloons in the kids shirts so they could look like Auntie, HA~

Brynna had her first experience with a kitten, and boy was she in love!~

My much bigger (little) brother Matthew~

Brynne having a cupcake~

The birthday girl having some birthday cake~

My sister-in-law made this really cute cake with a cupcake stem!~

My brother helping Katherine read her cards~

Brynne, always happy to socialize~

Me with my sweet niece! My brother says she is a mini version of me!~

Katherine with Auntie Amy~

Aunties giving some love to our nephew Joshua~

Happy Birthday Katherine~

Brynne enjoying the fresh air~

Joshua~

Cousins

Landon, Joshua, Katherine, and Brynna~

Landon and Brynne LOVED the play kitchen~

Boys, in the kitchen, LOL! Landon was cooking me some "Trawberries"

We had a great time and Landon and Brynne LOVED spending the day with their cousins. Can't wait to get together again for Christmas!

Why Santa? WHY???

Landon LOVES Max and Ruby. It is his favorite cartoon and the only one he will sit entirely through. His favorite thing about the cartoon is the remote control helicopter that Max flies often in the episodes. Landon is old enough this year to kind of understand the concept of Christmas and how it works. He is also hearing a lot of the term "Santa is watching, better be a good boy." A'hem.

He gets it, and so far it seems to be working. Landon talks non-stop most days about how excited he is to tell Santa that he wants a remote control helicopter for Christmas. I was at the mall with the kids this morning and Landon was BEGGING me to go see Santa. On the way out we stopped by Santa's workshop and Landon jumped right out of the stroller and sat right on Santa's lap.

Santa: "Hello, how are you little boy!!? What would you like me to bring you for Christmas."

Landon: "I like a heliclopter remote contoll wike Max and Ruuuuby."

Santa (looking at me, ignoring Landon): "Did you see those remote control helicopters as you came into the mall over there (pointing)? I think I am going to go buy those for my grandson's for Christmas!"

I literally had just spent the entire 30 minute drive to the mall explaining to Landon that Santa lives in the North Pole and that he has elves that make ALL the toys for good boys and girls!! 5 seconds on Santa's lap and he's hearing Santa talk about buying cheap shit toys from the mall for his Grandson's?

SANTA FAIL!

I didn't even buy the picture because I was so irritated!

How about ya get into character a little but "Mr. Mall Rent-a-Santa!?"

It didn't help matters that the remote control helicopters that "Mr. Mall Rent-a-Santa" was referring to were sold in a kiosk near the entrance closest to where we had parked. As we strolled by on our way to the car Landon saw them and asked "Mom, are dose da heliclopters dat Santa's gunna buy for da kids?" I just ignored him and kept walking...

Turkey Day Pics

We spent a wonderful day at my parents house, had WAY too much to eat! The kids are always SO excited to go to Grandma and Grandpa's house, and today was no exception.

Brynne started her day off right, playing Mama to the baby~

While Landon read a book...or two~

It's never long before Brynne ends up doing whatever it is Landon is doing~

The "Adult" table

My Gramps, Uncle Roger, my dad, my mom, my Gram~

My mom and my Gram, love these women!~

This little cutie is Chloe, my parents dog.

This is Landon's plate.

This is Chloe eyeing Landon's plate.

She laid on the couch watching this plate of food forever!
Too funny~

Landon with his GREAT Grandparents!~

for whatever reason, my Gramps always makes this face in pictures with the kids.

He must be very excited. Either that or it's because he is almost 100 years old!!!

Landon spent most of his day begging Uncle Nate to play soccer with him~

Little Miss spent most of the day doing what she does best...eating! This girl loves food!~

My parents are the best hosts! Their house is always decorated for whatever Holiday or Season we are in. I saw that my mom and dad had begun decorating their yard for Christmas already!! Their yard!? I haven't even started on my house!

This little trailer is always in their flower bed, it's so cute, I love it! Today I noticed this tiny Christmas tree was added. Too cute, had to take a picture!~

Auntie Amy packing up leftovers~

One of the many reasons I am thankful this season!~

Trying her hardest to get the toys out to play~

LOL, Uncle Roger let Landon play with his glasses. It was SO cute! Totally changed his look!

We had a GREAT day spending time with everyone! I am so lucky to have such an amazing family. We always have a good time together with lots of laughing and story telling. It is always hard to be away from Travis' family at the Holidays. I would love for them to share in our fun traditions. Florida is just TOO far away!

SO very Thankful for these two crazy kids!

This video perfectly captures the very reason why I rolled my eyes at my mother when she disagreed and told me that Apple Pie does NOT have too much sugar for the kids! She spoon fed them bite after bite. Not 15 minutes later I filmed this video...

Uh-Huh, whatever Grandma!

Thanksgiving 2009

This Thanksgiving I am thankful for:

My husband and our strong, wonderful (most of the time) marriage. And the fact that he is outside on a 12 foot ladder right now, hanging our Christmas lights, so that we may be the first house in the neighborhood with our lights on. He's also informed me that the lights will be hung in record time this year, he's shooting for 45 minutes. I'm shooting for a morning without loud cussing if he staple-guns his finger, and without an ER trip should he fall off said 12 foot ladder.

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My first born, rough and tumble, never a dull moment, son Landon. He loves his Mama with equal parts of sweat, dirt, sloppy kisses, and the best hugs. I will never forget the feeling of seeing my first born baby for the first time. And now 3 years later I am SO thankful that I spend each and every day raising him and shaping the man he will one day become. Thanks for the constant laughter Landon, and also the high blood pressure. Mama loves you!

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Our sweet girl Brynna, who most definitely completes our family. I can't imagine my life without her and her sweet giggles, dragging her pink blankie everywhere she goes and following Landon around each and every day, all day long. My girl loves to love and can't get enough sweet hugs and kisses. She is the most laid back, happy girl and I love her with every ounce of my ability! As I type this Brynne is sitting tight next to me rubbing my leg with her chubby fingers. She keeps looking up at me and just smiling. What a lucky Mama I am!

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This Thanksgiving, as so many families have far less than we do, I am Thankful for everything God has provided for our family. Our family, our friends, our beautiful (it's getting there) home, and most importantly our healthy and happy babies...who aren't really babies anymore, but to me they will always be my babies. I hope this Thanksgiving that you each are surrounded by those you love, good food, funny conversation, and plenty of laughter! I know we will be.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Who's coming to dinner: Thanksgiving Edition

Here's my wish list for Thanksgiving Dinner at my house

Rocco Dispirito

because let's face it, somebody has to bring groceries...

Matthew Morrison

he plays Mr. Schuster on Glee. If you aren't watching Glee you are missing out!!

There is just something about his boyish charm

...AND the man can sing and dance!

The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond

If you know me than you know I LOVE The Pioneer Woman. It would be a dream come true to sit down and share a meal with her. She is amazing, and I am sure she would use her mad photo skills to photograph our little country spread, and would no doubt make it look amazing!

Reese Witherspoon

because for whatever reason I am convinced that we would be great IRL friends if we ever met. She seems so nice and down to Earth and I just know our kids would play together for hours, quietly, as we sipped tea and gossiped about Jake Gyllenhal. No? Huh.

Paula Deen

because isn't everything better with a little Southern charm and a lot of butta!?

Rachel McAdams

because I am a loving, giving, selfless wife and my husband adores her. She seems pretty nice too...and I am sure she has a lot of dirt on Ryan Gosling!

and of course no Thanksgiving Dinner would be complete without

Matt Damonbecause honestly, what's a Holiday meal without a little dessert?

Who would you invite to Thanksgiving Dinner?

Disneyland 11-20-09

I'd figured my good luck would run out eventually in regards to my Disneyland trips. We have Season Passes and try to go once a week. Lately we have not been going as often due to us being sick, and just how crazy life is at this time of the year. We went on Friday night and that was a HUGE mistake. I have not been on a Friday before, usually I stick to mid-week visits to avoid the lines and the crowds. At California Adventure there is an Aladdin stage show. We have been wanting to see it for a really long time, but never have been able to. The show only runs on Friday thru Sunday and we are never there on those days. Because we went on a Friday we were finally able to catch the Aladdin show. It was AMAZING. Made me feel like we were seeing a real Broadway play. Even Travis loved it and the kids were mostly entertained throughout the whole show. I think it was about 45 minutes long! I couldn't believe it was a free show, it was that good! Anyway, here are a few pictures from out night trip to Disneyland on a super crowded Friday night.

I just thought Brynna looked so cute and tiny sitting in her very own theater chair

Waiting for the Aladdin show to start

Disneyland is GORGEOUS this time of year. Every night when they light up the castle they play music throughout Main St. and it snows!! It is so beautiful!

Beautiful castle, my sucky pictures don't do it justice!

Exploring

Daddy and his curious little girl

Landon in Tarzan's treehouse

Brynne

We had a fun night, because Daddy rarely goes to Disneyland with us. However, it was TOO crowded and I prefer to be there in the day time. We only went on 2 rides all night! Usually we ride atleast 10 rides, so that was annoying. It is so beautiful at night, but because of the crowds it is hard to get any decent pictures! Next time we will for sure go during the week! Lesson learned.