Musical Smiles

A few happy moments in the last days of 2009...

Too much turkey

Ashlyn who is usually pretty good on her feet apparently had too much turkey for Christmas.

The Light Frenzy

I have to hand it to San Diego...for a place that definitely doesn't feel like Christmas in December they definitely know how to decorate their houses! Every year a few neighborhoods in the area go all out like you have never seen before. People drive bye and walk the streets every year just to check out the crazy lights. Some people have hot chocolate and cider for you as you are strolling along in the blustery San Diego weather (actually it was pretty chilly) and other people have karaoke machines set up for your personal enjoyment which truly is entertaining. Rob and I actually spoke to one family about their light display....the dad of the family said that he and his 2 teenage sons decorate the house every year together and it takes them FIVE full days.......that's morning to night putting the lights up. That's a lot of time eh? And a lot of dollars!)

A day out at Lake Hodges with Uncle Greg

While Rob was gone for a few days my brother, Greg drove out from Scottsdale, AZ as a back up. We spent our days catching up and visited Lake Hodges and Balboa Park (although I only took pictures at Lake Hodges). We had a blast and as you can see so did the kids! Thank you Uncle Greg for making my week easier and more fun than I could have ever wished.

Practicing for the Olympics....




Sad, sad Lake Hodges which is looking very dry these days. :(

Some Christmas Cheer

Jaedyn's rendition of Jingle Bells.......

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree......

We decided to nix the chop your own tree down idea and instead kept the tradition going. Last year we walked down to a Christmas tree lot with our wagon to get our tree and picked out the cheapest one there. We decided to do the same again this year. It was a cloudy, chilly day...a little snow would have been nice, but seeing that most of the country is currently wearing their wool socks and heavy jackets I won't complain. Anyway, we brought home the cheapest find ($25) and Jaedyn and I decorated it. When we were all finished Jaedyn exclaimed " OH! It looks beautiful!"! I agree...for being in the last row marked "Charlie Brown Trees" it is just perfect.

Once upon a time.........

Our lovely Ashlyn who once upon a time was sweet tempered, cuddly, and full of gentleness has turned into a little sassy girl over night. She now goes around swatting her arms at anyone near her saying "nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh" (her rendition of no). When you tell her no or even "not for Ashlyn" in a sweet voice she growls back at you. And my least favorite of all she has suddenly turned into a high speed climbing expert. She has climbed on things that are not for climbing...the most amazing item being this toy that has 2 legs and really is not sturdy at all. She climbed on it in a squatting position (which was amazing in itself) and then very slowly stood up with a giant smile on her face. I nearly had a heart attack as this toy is super wobbly and envisioned the whole mechanism crashing to the floor with Ashlyn doing a triple flip off of it. Anyway...here's one of my favorite clips (as a previous gymnast myself I will say that her back drop is quite impressive for a one year old).