Disney on Ice

"Surprise!!  We are going to Disney on Ice!"  This is what we got to say to the girls as we walked into the US Airways Center yesterday.  I think they were speechless and so excited of course.  Every year my parents used to take me to Disney on Ice; I still remember today how much I loved it!  I was so excited to start the tradition with our girls!

These faces say it all!!  And those snow cones were a huge hit!

Daddy and his girls!  He was super excited too, can't you tell?!

 All of our favorites were there, even Mickey and Minnie!

It was a great afternoon and the girls were blown away!  Can't wait to do it again next year!

Merry Christmas 2012

It's crazy…it's Christmas Eve!!  The house smells wonderful, the presents are wrapped, Emery has watched The Grinch 3 times today and we are ready to frost our sugar cookies in our Christmas PJ's tonight.

BUT most of all we are happy, healthy and together!  It has been such a wonderful holiday season filled with fun memories, friends, family and our favorite traditions.

Tomorrow we will celebrate the birth of Jesus and share with our little ones he is the reason for this season!

Our family wishes you and yours a very Merry Christmas!

A Special Surprise

Today when I checked the mail I found a special surprise!  Our wedding photographer sent us a slideshow of our wedding pictures to music.  It is so amazing!  And the song is just perfect!  I've already watched it 3 times! :)  Of course I just had to share it with all of you too!

Thank you Christina! 

 If you are ever in need of a wonderful photographer in Temecula or the surrounding area, look her up!  Captured Moments Photography

Family Photo Time

Well, it's almost Christmas and you know what that means... our yearly Christmas cards our on their way!    I got my Christmas present early this year ( a new camera :)) so of course I wanted to put it to use!   I decided to take our family photos into my own hands.  Cute outfits-check, fun background (The McCormick Train Park)-check, smiling and willing husband-check!  Did I think about bribes for our almost 2 year old?! NO!

Let's just say Emery did her own thing for this years pictures.  She wasn't having any of silly mommy's usual picture taking antics.

Sissy smiled wonderfully each time, patiently waiting for little sister to smirk so I could snap a good one!

I was one disappointed Mommy until this happened...

And then this…(still a bit of attitude, but it made for a cute picture!)

And of course we had to stop and chase some 'bwerdies,'  At one point I thought she might actually get to touch one, she's really fast!!

Soon after we were able to take this one!  Still no smile, but I'll take it!  All of us together and the train made for an amazing backdrop!

We stayed as it started to get dark to see everything light up with Christmas lights.  By this time I let go of my original agenda and just started capturing what we do best…having fun together!

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas from our silly family to yours!  

We hope you are as blessed as we are with love, laughter and family this year!

Circus

For some Fall fun we surprised the girls with a trip to the CIRCUS!

It was so cute to see there faces light up when they saw what was in store for them.  I must admit, I was quite surprised myself.  For Phoenix Arizona this was an impressive circus (not bad for scoring tickets at the grocery store with all my numerous points I rack up buying groceries)!

She wasn't too sure about her first balloon animal.  I think she expected more :)

But the circus performers did not disappoint!!

There were acrobats...

 and BEARS!!

And of course men juggling fire!  Not to mention all of the other amazing acts that included dancing, magic and a silly clown.  It was the best feeling to see our girls laughing and in awe; it really is so great to see things through your kids eyes!

And who could forget the SWEETS?!!  Not us of course.

This was Emery's first go with cotton candy and let's just say it went fast!!

Daddy was a fan of the cotton candy too!

Notice Emery going for the Icee when daddy isn't looking, ha ha! ;)

Up and close with the 'elphats' as Emery says.

I'm so in love with these little faces.  They are so much fun!

Our trip to the circus was another great family memory!  

Our last bit of Beach Weather

We LOVE the beach in our family!  Especially because it's not everyday we get to go.

After having a great time at my reunion, the next day we decided to spend some time in the waves with Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Nathan and Uncle Griffin.

The guys

Checking out waves with Grandma. (Doesn't Emery look so big?!)

This was after tasting some sand...we told her it was yucky!  Just wait, she applied that later.

Akira's favorite part of the beach, digging in the sand.

 Emery decided just to watch after the taste she had.

 Grandma was Emery's beach partner for the day, she loves her "ganma."

I love this action shot of Akira!

This is my favorite shot of the day, she was so excited to let the waves catch up her and splash her.

Hanging with Daddy

It was her first time learning to surf on Uncle Griffin's surf board.

We still need to work on her balance, but she loved it!!

Akira and Grandpa

Emery also tried boogie boarding!

If you look closer, that's Nathan and Griffin on their surf boards.

She's saying "ucky, san!"

Waiting for the wave come

Look how cool Uncle Nathan looks, he's a great surfer too!

 I couldn't help myself, look at her cute footprints!!

That was the our beautiful day in La Jolla!  We had a hard time driving back to Arizona after this trip, we had so much fun with our friends and family!