Family Get-together 2012

We had our annual Christmas family get together the Saturday before Christmas.  And although we were missing a few it is always good to see those that can make it.  This is one of our traditions that I hold very close to my heart.  I love my family!

Above is Devin, Ella and Brayden

Lexi and Avery were monkeys in the backyard tree.

Disneyland

I've been putting off posting this particular post because I can't get the only 3 photos I have to upload to this blog.  So frustrating!  I chose not to bring my camera this time and had Kirk bring his old smart phone to use for a camera, but he left it in the car, so I used my dumb phone, texted the pictures to my girlfriend, who in turn emailed them to me.  I can see them, they are in my iPhoto, but I can't get them to upload.  Maddening!

So, anyway, we went to to Disneyland on December 12th.  Kids took the day off school and we headed out.  Last year the kids won 2 tickets and they needed to be used by this coming February.  Kirk's cousin works for Disney, so he got the other 3 of us in for free and parking was free!  That means we saved $500!  We got there at about 9:00am and didn't leave until 9:15pm.  It was a very full and fun day!  Brought in our own lunch and paid for dinner.  Wish we could do it more, but they've made that pretty much impossible with how much passes are now.  Just to get in for the day to both parks it's $120 each!  And the cheapest southern CA pass is something like $280 and parking is another $100 or so.  Ouch!  Loved it when we got our passes only 3 years ago and paid only $132 each for the entire year.  Was so worth it and I miss it!

Well, chalk this trip up to success!  Sprinkled on us only twice.  It was great weather!

Thanksgiving 2012

We went to Pismo again this year for Thanksgiving with our friends, the Forrest's.  It was the best weather we've ever had there!  On our way up it rained just a little and was chilly, but by the last 4 days (we were there Sunday-Saturday) it was short sleeves and even by the last day, shorts weather!

 Baseball...always baseball!

 This year Devin has loved playing basketball too.  So, we all hit the courts a few times.

 One night the kids made their own shirts with puffy paints.

 This is Devin's baseball shirt...

 And Avery's very artsy shirt...

 In 4th grade the kids have to do a mission project.  Since everyone will be doing local missions we thought it would be fun for her to do something no one else will most likely do.  So, we drove 20 minutes to San Luis Obispo and took some pictures and got some info for her upcoming project.

 Last year the kids met this sweet girl and hung out with her the entire time.  Her name is KK and she was there again this year!  She's grown up a lot!

 Moonstone Beach

 Snacking as the turkey is being prepared.

 Yum...deep fried turkey!

 Silly Jeff

 Friday we walked out to the water and it was a beautiful day!!!!

 Played a game of baseball

 Looked for sand crabs

 And Haley had a ball!

 Duck tape stand

 Silly boys

 Chopping our nightly wood for our fire

 Climbing the trees in one our favorite spots near the campground

 Love this picture of Devin and Haley!

 Avery and Aidan playing in the sand

 Hanging out in the Forrest's trailer

 More Moonstone Beach (don't feel like putting these in order)

Have I said that we love Pismo Beach?  :)  Hope yours was a great Thanksgiving too!

AGW 2012

We had our bi-annual All Girl Weekend in Vegas a few weeks ago.  We were VERY small in numbers this time.  It was just my mom, Sandi, Linda and Sandi's daughter, Jessica, joined us for the first time (she is 21 this year!).  I didn't bring my camera and the pictures my mom took with her iPad and sent me won't post for some reason.  Maddening.  Not that we took a lot, but there were a few.  We stayed at Sam's Town in Henderson again because we had such fond memories of hanging out in the atrium area in years past.  This year it was smokey and didn't have the same feel.  Not sure if we remembered it right or not.  The five of us stayed in the same room for the 3 nights and had a nice time.  Didn't do a whole lot.  We went and saw where Pawn Stars in filmed, went to Hoover Dam and hung out a lot in the room and visited.  It was a nice weekend get-away (wish I had pictures ;))

Avery's mishap

Look what Avery did to her permanent tooth!  She was outside the other night and going to try to scare us through the window, but tripped on a box that was there, fell against the window.  Lovely.

Halloween 2012

Devin - Angels player, Mike Trout
Avery - a cat
Justin - Slendor Man (yeah, I know...who is that? Some mythical creature)

Baseball has begun!

Baseball started a few weeks ago (yes, I am behind).  Devin is on the Braves and Justin is on the Nationals.  They are both having a great season so far.  Justin is one of the pitchers on his team and he's doing great!  Here are a few pictures of their first games.