Disneyland with the Grown-Ups!

Our dear family friend Suzann had her 50th birthday this year! In order to celebrate properly we all headed to the Happiest Place on Earth... and Suzann's favorite place in the world. :)

Mom, Casey, and I flew in very early Friday morning and went straight to the park to surprise Suz. (She didn't think we were coming in until much later, and didn't know we got an earlier flight!) We immediately started in on all of the rides. There was no wasting any time!!

I think this picture with Suzann giving Donald a big hug, and Mom posing off to the side, is one of my favorites.

It was a LONG day. We practically closed the park down! By the time we got to the Cars ride, we were all so tired that we were loopy! We were hysterical during all of the poses the photographer had us doing in front of Radiator Springs. 

The next day started early (again) and we didn't stop! It was a bit surreal being there without any kids! I felt so light! But, I got used to it... 

We had a special birthday dinner at the Storytellers Cafe to celebrate Suzann's birthday. Ang found blinking Mickey ears for everyone... there was no losing anyone in the park that night!

Happy Birthday Friend!

Our final event of the night was the World of Color. It was new since my last trip to Disneyland, so I hadn't seen it yet. It was pretty darn amazing! While we were waiting I learned about a new game called Head's Up. It was especially funny watching Mom and Midge trying to guess their word...

I didn't think I was going to be able to pull this trip off... but thanks to a personal day, and my awesome husband, it all worked out. And, I'm so glad I went. :) We laughed, and laughed, and laughed some more. My sides and cheeks ached! It was SO much fun! Such great memories with very special people.

Welcome 2014!

Our family tends to stay home and lay low on New Year's Eve. We really like playing games, making popcorn, watching movies... just being together.

The girls were all about their new Legos. They had all kinds of things set up... and built a town all over the front room.

I spent quite a bit of time working on our scrapbooks... time to sit and scrap seems pretty rare these days. I wanted to be downstairs with everyone, so I set up a little corner on the coffee table.

Then it was time for games. A new game we got this year was "Beat the Parents". It was Travis and I against the girls... a little friendly competition. :) (Lucy wasn't too interested in the games.)

 The movie of the night was Wall-E.

 At last, it was time for ringing in the new year with toasts & sparkling cider.

Cheers!

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas 2013

We started out with opening presents at our house (early) in the morning. It always amazes me how early the girls get up... even when they go to bed so late the night before because they can't sleep! 

The girls were pretty excited by what Santa brought... everything they wanted!

Rubber band looms are all the craze right now!

Mer loves Elephant and Piggie.

Then it was on to stockings, Christmas pajamas, and pictures in front of the tree. This year we could only get Ali in her pajamas for the pictures, and even that was difficult. I guess my little girl is growing up...?! I remember when she wore anything I picked out for her!

From there, we went to Grammy's house for Christmas brunch and more presents. 

Of course, Grammy had a mystery treasure hunt for the girls. 

The treasure hunt had all sorts of clues for the girls that had to follow that would lead them to the next clue... much like last year when they got their American Girl Dolls. This time the hunt lead them to iPads! WooHoo! Each iPad came with a timer so that Mommies & Daddies could give the girls time limits!

And after all the excitement, puzzles and naps (for the adults!), playing with the new toys, and traditional Christmas movies,

It was time for another meal. (Complete with Olive Garden breadsticks!)

After dinner, we had a piano recital. Grammy has been teaching each granddaughter a song on the piano for Christmas. Tonight they took turns performing for all of us.

 

 

Even Charlotte had a piano piece!

Our Elf & Ali's Program (December 2013)

Our Elf, Eddie, has been causing a bit of mischief around our house. We never know what he's been up to during the night...

Ali and her performing team danced for several retirement homes for the holidays. At the end, the girls all give out ornaments to the folks who have come to watch. It's pretty cute.

Putting Up the Tree

I have such good memories of this time of year... unwrapping each ornament and remembering the story behind each one. 

I'm happy to pass this tradition on to my girls. They now love unwrapping the ornaments and sharing the story behind them. I hear a lot of "Remember this one?" or "I remember this one!" 

It's still special for me to unwrap the ornaments from my childhood. Each one that I got from my grandma over the years is especially poignant. :)

Our helper.

Here's to the beginning of a whirl-wind season of fun, family, and making new memories.