I'm in Love!!

Just got myself a new little toy for my camera. I haven't had a lot of time to play with it but I have an infant shoot on Friday and I plan on putting this puppy to work!!

Poor Baby

What happens when your 2 1/2 year old is "sleeping" upstairs while you are making cookies with the Laurels downstairs...
In case you are wondering exacly what's in there we have:
2 Shamus
1 Tinkerbell
1 Mickey Mouse
1 big Dora
1 small Dora
1 Boots (from Dora)
1 Swiper (from Dora)
1 Cinderella
2 "blankies"
and a teething ring.

We now lock Preslee's door. (BTW, Pres slept through this... amazing...)

Little Lady

When I had Addilyn I couldn't wait to poke a few little holes in those lobes of hers... same is true for Preslee. It's just so cute and girlie.... and while some people don't agree with this decision, I happen to love baby girls with pierced ears.
So, last Friday away we went to get the ears done. She's 5 months old now so the window was closing for me to get this done. Thanks to my sweet friend Courtney, who came and played photographer for me. Here's a replay of the 5 minute ordeal:
"What's going on? Why am I here?"

"Why is this strange woman drawing on my ears with markers? Mommy gets so mad at Addilyn when she draws on herself with markers."

"WHAT THE WHAT JUST HAPPENED!?!?!?! THAT DOES NOT, I REPEAT NOT, FEEL GOOD!!!"

"Why would Mommy laugh at this? It still hurts!" (That was Daddy's same question.)

So, I tried harder to be sad.

"Fine, you can win me over with food, but know that I was NOT happy with you a minute ago. But, alas, I will thank you for making me more beautiful and feminine."

Christmas Morning

Christmas gets more and more fun as the kids grow. Carter and Addilyn were so excited for Santa to come this year. Preslee was a late sleeper and celebrated her Christmas a little later than the other two kids.

Preslee's darling outfit she got from Gigi. It's my new fave on her.

Addilyn got a cute 50's inspired mic from Gigi that she LOVES singing into. You can step on part of the bottom and a crowd will applause.

Addilyn, checking out Preslee's loot.

Carter got a racetrack from Santa. He loves it but loves his remote controlled helicopter from Gigi much more. :)

Our beautiful Christmas tree.

USS Midway

You know how when you grow up in a certain place you don't take advantage of all it has to offer? Like, when I was in high school I got sick of the beach. I preferred my pool because I didn't get sandy. And I've never been to Magic Mountain. The USS Midway is another example of this. I can't believe that I was never taken here on a field trip. It's a docked Aircraft Carrier that is now a museum (more of less). There were tons of planes and helicopters that we could look at and even a few we could get in. It was amazing! The kids had a BLAST! We knew Carter would but Addilyn has asked to go back to the "ship plane" several times since we've been home. I think we'll have to start making this a regular stop while in San Diego from now on.
A view from the dock.

Trying to peek into the "halidoctor"

This picture cracks me up because it says "Danger" and Carter's head is literally in the hole.

There are several different vest colors the air force (or whatever armed force people that are on this) wear. They had examples and explanations for each one. The color you wear shows what your job is. It was really interesting. Addilyn wanted to stand by the "pul-ple" one.

Taking a closer look with Papa.

Carter got to sit in this one and push buttons to his heart's content. Addilyn wanted NOTHING to do with it but would finally sit in it long enough for me to snap a picture.

It was REALLY chilly and super windy. My little AZ babies are NOT use to that! Good thing we dressed warm.

Addilyn snuggling into Papa for warmth. "It's code!"

Santa!

While in San Diego we went and visited our old pal, Santa. The kids did great. Addilyn actually allowed Santa to sit by her. Carter gave him such a list of what he wanted that all Santa said was, "Wow, that's quite a list!" Lovely. ("A halidoctor with a co-troler, a race track, a car with a co-troler, a train with a co-troler because the one I have right now is too slow....")

Santa happened to be only a few streets over from my parents house. The people who own the house go crazy setting everything up. Their entire house turns into Santa's workshop. They have a toy for each child that sees Santa, and hot cocoa and treats for everyone. The best part is that it's free. This family does it for the entire city and have 10s of thousands of people come every year.

Touring Santa's workshop with Papa.

"What the crap is all over this old dude's face?"
We met up with my childhood best friend, Krissy, who, no matter how long it goes between visits, will ALWAYS be like a sister to me. I seriously love this girl more than words could say. My mom offered to take a picture of us so instinctively we put our heads together, squishing Addilyn right out of the picture... :) This was right after that... clearly I was still laughing about it.

Christmas Eve

This year was an "on year" for my family. We spent a lot of time in San Diego (pictures coming soon)and were back in time for Santa to make his debut. On Christmas Eve, Ryan and Hillary invited us over to their house for dinner and games. We had so much fun. Holidays are all about spending time with family.

Aunt Kelly, Uncle Robby and Preslee.

Runkin doing the "snowball" game with the kids. It's a bunch of saran wrap. As you unroll it there are little dollar gifts inside for each kid. The kids love it.

Addilyn and Daddy with her present from the snowball.

Carter's present from the snowball... and his koolaid mustache. :)