Disneyland Day 3

Our third day in Disneyland started at about 7:30 am. It was New Years Eve and we had heard that last year the park was filled to capacity at 9:30 am. So we arrived early to ensure that we would get to spend New Years in the park. We started off with several rides and the meeting of a few characters. I was worried about Lilly being scared but she just ran right up to them and gave them the biggest hugs. It was so adorable. Around noon we began to slow things down a bit. We went for a train ride and then we went to meet the princesses. Ariel was by far the best one. She just got right down on Lilly's level and talked to her for like 5 minutes. She still talks about Ariel. We got great seats along the parade route, and then we rode the tea cups for the 3rd time that trip. Lilly really decided that she loved that ride! We stopped for dinner and then we began to wonder if we would make it to midnight. The girls finally went to sleep, which allowed us to make it to midnight. It was a long day and night but totally worth it. The park gave out hats and blowers and so we rang in the New Year dancing to DJs and partying like it was 1999! It was such a great trip. Thanks Mom and Dad for a wonderful trip. It was awesome!

Disneyland Day 2

Our second day at Disneyland we visited California Adventure. It was a really drizzly day out so I don't have as many pictures as normal. Molly wasn't feeling well that day, so we did several inside shows and then headed back to our hotel a little earlier. We were all exhausted that second day, so we opted to stay in for the night. While at the park we got to see the Playhouse Disney Show. This is basically all I really wanted to do while there because I knew that Lilly would love it. She did! It was a great show and she was so excited about everything. We also went to see the Aladdin Show. Lilly was enthralled the entire time and she loved that she got to see an actual flying carpet. Aaron was a little disappointed that we didn't get to go back and do the roller coaster - so I guess that will give us an excuse to visit again! We took the girls to see the Bugs Life 3-D Show - probably not our smartest decision. Lilly did so great with every ride, but this one she was a little scared by. We even got her to go on Soarin' Over California. It's a ride were you actually feel like your flying. Lilly did so great and wanted to do it again!

Disneyland Day 1

We started off our magical adventure by taking a family picture right inside the park. Then we all went off on our adventure. Lilly was so excited once she figured out that there are rides and cool things to see. We started off kind of slow because we were so busy trying to explain things to Lilly. We also were busy looking around. I have never been to Disneyland when it has been decked out for Christmas. It was so awesome and beautiful. It was really fun to spend time with all the different members of my family. Lilly and Molly loved it! The energy of the park just seeped into everything that we did. The other awesome thing was that we were able to take the girls back to our hotel, and then my parents would watch them so the adults could go back. It was a perfect time to spend grown up time with my brothers and sisters. Thanks mom and dad for all you did for us. We really appreciate it. It was a great start to our Disneyland Adventures.

Santa Barbara

On our way to L.A. we stopped over in Santa Barbara for the night. It was so nice to be back and to feel the wonderful weather! We were able to visit with a few family members and then we went to lunch at our favorite restaurant ---PASCUCCI! It was awesome. I have been waiting to go there forever! We went to lunch with Aaron's sister Lauren and her daughter Chelsea. It was so nice to catch up with them. Then we headed out to walk on the breakwater. The girls thought it was great to see the ocean and we even got to show them some very fresh fish straight off the boat! It is such a great place to visit!

Oh The Joy!

Well, my daughter is having some upper body envy! One of the kids got some little balls for Christmas and she thought it was funny to put it up her shirt. Thanks to my mom and sister they got her to put 2 up her shirt and then they helped her adjust them! Thanks Mom!! Anyway, it was just so funny because she would lean back to show them off. She walked around like this for quite sometime! Oh man, the talks we are going to have to have!

Molly's Birthday

I can hardly believe that Molly is 1 now! Time has sure flown by! We decided to do cupcakes this year because we were celebrating 3 birthdays on the same day! My nephew Orrin turned 2 on Christmas day, The Molly turned 1 on the 26th, and then my sister Amber turned 18 on the 27th. Molly loved having her own cupcake. She didn't hesitate to dig in at all! She just went right for it. She was also really excited about the busy ball popper that she got for her birthday. She loves it - but her big sister seems to love it more! (Isn't that ironic!) Happy Birthday Molly, We love you to pieces!

Christmas Day Fun!

April and Chad got a Wii for their family for Christmas. It was a huge hit. It was so hilarious how into it everyone got. Even my 84 year old Grandpa! It was good family fun - with a little laughing at someone elses expense!

Uncle Jim and Grandpa boxing

Watching the show

Christmas

Our Christmas started off with a huge amount of people in one room. It was so great! Lilly was so excited this year to see what Santa brought. She had the best facial expressions the whole time. I was really proud of how patient she was while she waited her turn to open presents. She did great. This year Lilly got a barbie, some musical instruments and a My Little Pony set. She also got other things including a trip to Disneyland! She didn't really understand at first but she acted excited because all the other kids where excited! She is just so fun! Molly of course didn't really understand what was happening. She just watched the chaos ensue. She was thrilled with her new blocks and her animal farm. We had a great Christmas! Aaron's favorite present was the blanket that I made for him. I got a Kindle! I was so surprised and so excited. That was definitely the perfect present for me since I love to read. We hope that everyone had a great Christmas!

My mom made everyone these shirts and that is how they told everyone that we were going to Disneyland! Lilly also made a great little gift for us in preschool, it is her hands in the shape of a wreath, so cute!

Christmas Eve

It was nice to finally arrive at Grandma and Grandpa Bock's house for Christmas. There were 21 of us from my family that came (That is everyone!) It was a packed house, but everything went surprisingly well. My dad and Sister April made doughnuts, which are always delicious, and it was nice that the kids could go and play outside. That's the great thing about California, no snow so it's not to hard to send them out to play.The girls got to open their PJ's and they were just so cute about it. Lilly was like "We match mom, isn't that cool!"

Cody and Heather helping with the doughnuts

The girls in their PJ's

Stocking and such that Santa dropped off

Aunt Gen

The next day we met up with my parents to visit with my Aunt Gen (She is actually my Grandpa's cousin - but we have always just called her Aunt Gen). She is in an assisted living facility in Vacaville. It was nice to have lunch and visit for a while. It was also good for her to meet the girls for the second time. She is such a great lady. She crochets a lot. I grew up with one of her crocheted stockings. It's great because she has begun making them again and now my girls get to grow up with such a special treasure. We love you Aunt Gen!

On the road

Well we finally got ourselves prepared for our 2,500 mile road trip. We were pretty squished getting in the car, but the girls were great. We had to start right away with the snacks, but they eventually settled in and traveled great. We never traveled the same road twice on our whole trip. It was kind of weird to leave going one way and then come home another. The weather held up perfectly for our travels. We would get through one part that started to get a little dicey and then find out that they started requiring chains right after we had passed through. I am so grateful that we were all safe in our travels.

Circus Circus

Our first stop during our vacation was in Reno at Circus Circus. We didn't want to push the girls too hard that first day, but of course, they traveled better than I would have thought. Lilly was so excited to stay at the Circus Hotel. She kept telling me all day that she would see animals and then get to sleep by them. She was a little disappointed when I explained that we probably wouldn't see any animals. She was pacified though when we headed down to the carnival and she got to see a mini circus show. She thought it was pretty cool.

Lilly and Aaron watching the show

I think it's amazing how strong she is for someone so small!

Watching the show, I could hardly get them to turn around

I Think She's Excited!

I find this scene quite often at our house. Molly just can't stay away from the presents. I think she is just so excited about her birthday and Christmas. If I didn't have ribbon around the presents, I'm convinced that she would have it ripped open. She is just growing up too fast!

p.s. don't mind the hair, we've been playing around with it a lot lately because she thinks it is so funny!

Getting Ready To Go...

We are getting ready to go to California for Christmas. Although we will be having Christmas at my Grandparents house, afterward we are heading to........

DISNEYLAND!

We are so excited for our kids. They will really love it. It is going to be 3 full days of fun, magic and some pixie dust thrown in for good measure!

Chicken Nuggets and Hair Bows

Today Molly had her first chicken nuggets and she loved it! She was totally sold on this favorite kid lunch....good thing for me since l have such a hard time with lunch time anyway! Her hair is getting so long now. She loves to play in the bag of hair ties and bows, so tonight Aaron and I helped her accessorize her hair. She thought it was quite funny and was even a little upset when we started unloading the 15+ hair pieces out of her hair.

Sharing in Christ's Birth

I walked into the living room and this is what I found.....

Lilly had apparently taken some of the manager pieces, most importantly Mary and Baby Jesus, then added some people from the village. I guess she just wants everyone to share in Christ's birth this Christmas season! It kind of looks like the bread man is presenting a gift.....and if you look close there is a little band in the back.

Class Christmas Party

Lilly's class Christmas party was super fun. They played a funny game of fill the stocking, which with 3 year olds is quite humorous. They would put the beans in the other teams stocking and then they would try to pass the spoon to someone not on their team. They were just trying to share! Anyway, after that game we decorated houses. Lilly was more interested in eating the candy, but she managed to get some on her house. It is so fun to see how the kids interact at this age. They are all just so funny!

Her finished house!

Playing their game

Lilly working on her house

Treat Time!

It's hard to get them all to look in the same direction!

Santa Claus

Our annual Ward Christmas Party was fun as usual, but the best part is when Santa comes in. Lilly was so stoked about it this year. I think that is only because she knows that he gives her candy! Santa this year was, in my opinion, a little scarier than normal, but Lilly bravely stood by him for a picture. I thought Molly would cry for sure, but she just stared at him. What a fun time for the kids.

Trimming the Tree

We finally got our tree and it turned out beautiful. Lilly loved putting the ornaments on and Molly couldn't help but stare and wonder how she would get those ornaments and candy canes off! This is one of my favorite holiday traditions, and I love that our kids can participate now as well! Merry Christmas!

Aaron putting on the lights

Little Miss Molly

Lilly loving the little village, she seems to think it is her personal play house!

Lilly putting on an ornament

Molly playing with the tree

The finished tree

Gotta love camera timers. At least everyone is looking the same way!

Candy Canes

Molly has discovered the wonderful world of Candy Canes and Christmas trees! She is in heaven! Every time I turn around the tree looks to be missing one or two! I love watching this exploratory stage!