Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve we had a mellow evening at home with Ian's parents. After dinner we decorated ginger bread men and watched Despicable Me. Bubba didn't understand decorating before eating.
Sprinkles!
Addi's final product.
Diving in.
Christmas morning, the kids were up by 6 and so excited.
Bubba checking out the merchandise.
He just couldn't resist the gingerbread man from the night before.
We headed over to Ian's parent's for the Laker game for more presents, food and the Laker game. Von got a new scooter. He's still trying to figure it out.
Addi was mad he wouldn't let her ride his! Little did she know, she had one coming too. Thanks to everyone who made our Christmas so amazing! It was a great holiday and year and we are looking forward to what 2011 will bring!

Holiday Happenings

December flew for us. Life was so busy! We started the month out with Ian's first work Christmas party, followed by three more parties and my parent's visiting.
Addi's preschool class had a little party. On the first of December, I went at 5:30 in the morning and waited with a bunch of other crazy moms to secure a spot for her in a pre-k program through the district that will start January 31st. It is five days a week and FREE! I am really excited to get her into a more academic program and see if she is as smart as we think she is (and also to see if she is going to have as hard of I time sitting still as we think she will).
Ian's work party was at the St. Regis and they provided us a room for the night. I want to live there, it was so nice. We took the kids with us and had a hotel babysitter. All hotels need to have babysitters. Best idea ever.
The next morning we took them to Roger's Gardens to check out the decorations. Bubba was in love with the "choo choo train!"
Our big girl.

Family Pics

Back in October, we had family pictures taken. Taking pictures with an almost 2 year old was a complete nightmare. Here are a few...with more to come later.

Photos by Jenn King. jennkingphoto.com

Palm Desert Thanksgiving

After having such a good time last year in Palm Desert for Thanksgiving, back in June, Ian and I decided it was a must again this year.
We stayed and had our Thanksgiving meal at the JW Marriott. The meal was amazing as expected. They have everything from the traditional Thanskgiving buffet, to crab legs, a crepe bar, to prime rib, to mac and cheese and uncrustables for the kids. Plus an amazing array of desserts. Amazing.
Addi being Addi.
Don't mind the chocolate on her pretty little face.
One of my helpings of dessert.
Bubba devoring a PBJ. He and the tablecloth were covered in so much food by the time we were done.
After lunch, we went on the gondola they have in the hotel.
They gave the kids sailor hats. It took us a little while before we figured out we were supposed to fold the brim up.
Addi's favorite cousin Carson.
Our not-so-little anymore Bubba. The kid is a moose, we go to his 2 year well baby next week and I wouldn't be surprised if he was off of the charts.
Kinsers.
And the fun never ended. After the boat ride, they had crafts for the kids. The hotel was amazing. I want to live there. It was non-stop entertainment for the kids.
And then, of course there was swimming at least twice a day.
And mini golf on a real "mini golf" course, with sand traps and ponds. And I forgot to mention the shopping...we went at about 10 pm on Thursday to the outlets. We didn't stay for long, but got some great deals.
On our way home we stopped at Oak Glen. It was quite a contrast to go from sun to snow. The kids had mixed feelings about it. Bubba fell face first into an icy puddle and wasn't too happy, but enjoyed exploring it prior to that.
This is a typical picture of us these days, trying to contain this child. He now has a mind of his own and doesn't want to hold our hand or have help in any way.
Addi looked mad in every picture I took that day. Kind of funny.

Gymnastics

Addi just finished up a gymnastics class through the city. It was great for her and me, as it gave me an extra hour a week with only one kiddo to run errands with.
Jumping jacks, I think?

Addi and the beam.