Finally Blogging About Christmas

We had another fun-filed Christmas season. As is tradition, we hosted Christmas Eve with Gianna, Jett, Nonni Karen and Papa Dave. This year, we had the pleasure of the Wilkinson's company too. It was a really fun night with yummy food and lots of love. After everyone left, Madeline put the reindeer food on the front lawn and the cookies and milk out for Santa. Right before bed, she was able to open her Christmas Eve gift from Mommy and Daddy-new pajamas and a new game. My parents always got us new pj's and a family game on Christmas Eve, so I adopted the same tradition.

The next morning, Maddie woke up to gifts from Santa, Mommy and Daddy and Grandma. I made our traditional breakfast-cinnamon rolls and we enjoyed a nice morning at home opening gifts. Then, we went down to Grandma Jeannie and Papa Joe's house for Christmas dinner with more friends and family. Madeline loves Grandma's Christmas village. It is so beautiful and so big that it takes up the whole living room wall and takes 2 months to complete.

Disneyland-December 2013

We spent my birthday weekend at Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure. It was a fun weekend filled with laughter and friends. We went ice skating at Olaf's Skating Pond at Downtown Disney and then had dinner with Auntie July and Carrigan and Caiden.

 The next day, we went to California Adventure. Maddie was finally tall enough to ride on Cars and Goofy's Sky School. She was so friendly to some of the cast members that they gave her a front of the line pass to see Disney Jr. Live on Stage...And she got to meet Jake from Jake and the Neverland Pirates. Her friend Tanith and her mommy came to meet us for awhile too! We also had lunch with the princesses at Ariel's Grotto...definitely a high-light of our trip.

 The next day, we arrived at Disneyland super early and Maddie was the first one in line. It was great because we were able to walk onto a lot of the rides. Maddie got to ride the Matterhorn for the first time and she loved it. She wasn't scared a bit! Tanith and her daddy came and met us. The girls even charmed their way into the front of the monorail with the driver! Overall, it was a great birthday weekend.

Halloween Fun

We had a busy Halloween season this year. It started on October 25th with a Fall Festival party at Maddie's preschool. My mom and I went and helped out and then Dave and I took Maddie to Disneyland for a surprise evening of fun. Pictures from that day are on my face book page.

On October 27th, our new church had a Trunk or Treat. Maddie had a great time playing the games, trick or treating, and sliding down a giant slide.

 

                                    A few days later, Maddie and Daddy carved a jack-o-lantern.

         Then on Halloween night, Maddie trick-or treated around our neighborhood and then around Nonni Karen and Papa Dave's neighborhood. Such a fun evening!

Grandma Jeannie's Birthday at the Zoo

We celebrated Grandma Jeannie's birthday at the San Diego Zoo. Maddie enjoyed looking at the snakes with her Papa Joe and helping Grandma Jeannie blow at her candle. We also got to visit the new koala exhibit. It was a beautiful day!