Merry Christmas!

We hope you had the best Christmas!

Our fun started on Christmas Eve!  We had some shopping to finish up at the mall, so we stopped off to say 'hi' to Santa while we were there!  Then that night we snuggled up in our warm house to open our traditional Christmas Eve presents.

This girl sure does love Santa!  Never been afraid.  

We open three presents on Christmas Eve: 1. Christmas Pajamas, 2. New books, 3. a Family Game.

Christmas was the best!  Maya got a fully-stocked kitchen!  She knew right what to do without us showing her too! 

Merry Christmas all!

Ready for Christmas!

We are so ready for Christmas to come!  We bought and decorated our tree, set up and have told and re-told the (short toddler version) of the Nativity, attended Christmas parties, talked to Santa, and have had fun shopping for the big day!  Yep - ready!!!

Looking for the perfect tree. 

We found just the right one -- ready to take it home!

All set up and we celebrated with a glass of sparkling apple cider.

Maya participated in her first live Natavity, and being the youngest she was cast
in the role of baby Jesus.  In true toddler fashion she wouldn't keep on her
swaddling clothes, got scared of the stuffed horse in the stable, and threw a fit
when it was time for a picture of  the finale.  This pic makes me giggle.

Maya got to see Santa - we thought she might be afraid (like most kids her
age) but she was excited and ran right up to him, and when it was her turn she
hopped right on his lap.  This girl knows where her bread is buttered! ;)

 Here is the virtual copy of our Christmas Card this year!  Merry Christmas to you!!

This is the front. 

and the back!

 Only a few more days - we can't wait!!!

Thanksgiving

We hope you had a fun-filled Thanksgiving!  Ours was the best!

Halloween Time

We had the best Halloween!

We took a fun day trip to Gardner Village for Witches Night Out.

We had a FUN birthday party for Grandpa!
All of the grandkids dressed up, we carved pumpkins, played
games, and (of course) at cake and ice cream!

Halloween was a blast! Maya got to trick-or-treat at Daddy's work!
She walked the whole way and got a TON of candy!
After, it was so nice outside, Maya had to lay in the grass to eat some treats!

Happy Halloween!  We hope you had a fun Holiday too!

Maya's 18 month Pics

Here are some of Maya's 18 month pictures I took!  Couldn't wait to share a few of our favorites!

Happiest Place on Earth!

A few weeks ago, we took a little family trip to Disneyland!  Oh what fun we had!  We spent 6 days at the Happiest Place on Earth and we were ready to go back as soon as we got home! ;)  Here are some fun pics from our awesome trip.

We went during 'Halloween Time' - so fun to see it decorated!

In front of the castle. It was hotter than blazes the first couple of days. 

Maya - with her face painted.  So excited to have makeup, and especially glitter!

Maya's not too impressed - but we sure are! ;)

With Walt and Mickey at California Adventure

Maya had the time of her life!

Maya got to meet a lot of characters!

Donald was so cute with Maya!

Maya got to pet Pluto and kiss Mickey's nose!

Dancing with Goofy

Hugs from Minnie

Twirling with Tink - they loved each other's shoes. ;)

Checking out Fawn's wings

Hugs from Buzz and a wave from Woody on his way out!

Ka-Chow!

Kisses from Donald - she sure loved her some Donald!

At the Princess Lunch - Maya (dressed as Tiana) was in heaven!

And we already can't wait to go back! ;)

Our whole world!

Waiting for our flight home.  We could have stayed forever!

Disneyland!

We just got back from the Happiest Place on Earth!  I'll post all about our fun trip soon!

Summer Fun

Wow, what a fun summer we've had so far!

Time together is always the best!

Maya has had a lot of fun helping me and Grandma clean at the park. 

We've loved spending A LOT of time outside - sidewalk chalk coloring is the best! 

Maya is getting quite adventurous climbing everything in sight!

The splash pad is always a favorite spot to hang out!

Maya loves helping me weed the flower garden (and smell, and pick the flowers)

Rachae's brother and sister (and their families) came to visit from out of state, so we've
had a lot of FUN family time!

Independence day was a blast trying to find a good spot to watch fireworks. 

Checking out the carnival booths

All of the cousins enjoying Lagoon together!
We're only missing 2 nephews who are serving religious missions for our church. 

Maya is now big enough to ride the kiddy rides at Lagoon - she was so excited!