Gondola Ride

Couples are supposed to kiss when going under the bridge
After the gondola ride we went onto our boat to finish the champagne

Colby and me

The crew

Sarah and Aaron

Allison and Matt soon to be "The Wards"

Nickie and John

For my birthday, I requested that we go on a gondola ride through Naples Canals, since we've lived in Long Beach since we were born, and have never gone on one. Sarah set up the whole thing, and even got The Fox's and the soon-to-be Wards to join us for the adventure. We had dinner before hand in Seal Beach, then off to the gondola ride. It was lots of fun with plenty of champagne from Sarah and Aaron and treats from Rossmoor bakery from Nickie and John. Allison and Matt brought champange as well, and thankfully we didn't crack that bottle open! Thank you for a wonderful evening.

Witt Family Christmas

Uncle Mark and eli
Bailey and me

Raif and his Daddy

Vince, Jake and Eli

Aunt Nancy, Jennifer, Jason and his fiance Danielle

Carla, Grandma Pat, Dan and Uncle Greg

Whitney (Jake's Girlfriend), Josh and Sally

This Sunday we had our Witt family Christmas get together. With our growing family we have the Witt side get together before Christmas. This year we had it at Uncle Greg and Aunt Shelley's house. We feasted on a 5 or 6 foot long burrito, rice, guacamole, chips, dips and a whole lot more! Our family is growing and growing so I didn't get everyone's picture. It was great to see everyone and we all had a wonderful time.

Uncle Ken and Charlotte

Lexy and Jaymee

My mom reading to Bailey and Bianca, Marissa decided to not miss out on the story

Breakfast with Santa

Bailey was game again for another time to see Santa
Bailey and Raif with their Grammy and Grandpa

Our Family

Colby's parents invited us all to Virginia Country Club for breakfast with Santa and some carol singers. Santa left a bitter taste with Raif and he immediately started crying upon his arrival. The carol singers were a hit though, he even offered one of them his crackers, which is huge! Bailey had fun with another sit on Santa's lap and again told him what she and her little brother wanted.

Raif's Big Boy Haircut

My mom was filling in for the beauty shop lady where my Grandma Donna lives, so I took Raif down for his first official haircut. We said bye-bye to his curly locks and hello to a curly mohawk. He looks like such a big boy now.

Visit with Santa at the Grove

Raif finally calmed down enough to take the picture
Bailey was in such a silly mood

Still acting silly

Raif loved the water

Me my kiddos

Bailey and her Grandma

Bailey and Raif with their Grandma

I love the look on Bailey's face, I'm an angel and my brother is...

My mom and I went for our semi-annual trip to The Grove in L.A. This year Sarah, Reagan, Paige, Tallulah and Shirley all joined us (See Sarah's blog for pictures). We had a great time visiting Santa, eating at the Cheescake Factory, and visiting the American Girl Doll store. Raif was not so hip on Santa, but Bailey loved him and even told Santa what her little brother wanted for Christmas.

Dad's Birthday

A photo by the Colonnade Park
Colby and Boomer's turn to be in the picture

Kelly, Eli, Jaymee and Lexy

Out for a stroll

We celebrated my Dad's birthday on Sunday with a nice dinner followed by a stroll around the canals to look at all the lights. It was a wonderful evening. Happy Birthday, Dad!

Paul's Holiday Party

Paul playing the piano as we sang Christmas carols
Colby and me

Paul and me

Christina, Jay, Colby and Paul

Jay, Colby and Paul

Our good friend Paul Gooding had a Christmas party on Saturday to welcome in the holidays and let us see his spectacular remodeled home. Paul spent a long time building his dream home down in Mission Bay in San Diego. We were so happy to be able to share the evening with him. We had wonderful food and drinks and capped off the night by singing Christmas carols along with Paul playing the piano. Thank you Paul for a wonderful evening.

A Baby's Life

Wouldn't it be nice if sometimes, this was the only thing you had to do in a day?

Holiday Craft, the tradition continues...

Bailey and Raif ready to start the craft
That is quite a grin Raif has!

Bailey painting her Santa

Done with Santa!

What is this and how can I sneak it into my mouth?

Raif opted for finger painting

The finished products, still drying.

My Santa, hanging on our tree, I painted in 1976 (I was 1!, the same Raif is now)

Michael's has these adorable and cheap ornaments for the kids to paint. I painted a similar one 33 years ago and it is still hanging on our tree. The kids had a great time painting theirs, well at least Bailey did. Raif tried to eat it the entire time and we tried to finger paint it...but then he just tried to eat it with paint on it!