Disney on Ice

My house keeper told me about cheap tickets through the Long Beach transit, so my mom and I took the kids to Disney on Ice. I think it was my favorite so far. We even sat in the media seats, so we had our own table for our drinks and popcorn!

Our Own Rock Band

Bailey and Raif both got new guitars for Christmas. They love to rock out with them!

Riding Bikes

Bailey and Raif both got new bikes for Christmas. Raif was hesitant at first, but is now riding every morning and afternoon when we take Bailey to school. Bailey is still working on riding without training wheels.

Pictures from Miranda Shanti

Do you ever have an ideal day planned, and then things don't quite pan out like you had planned. Well, these pictures from our photo shoot are kind of just like that. They look cute, but the day wasn't ideal. Miranda had these fabulous mini-photo shoots for 30 minutes, so I decided to have our family photo finally taken by the fountain. Something I have been talking about for a while.

Well, as the time came for our photo shoot, Colby was still not home. He is notoriously late, as most of you know. I started to get upset, and then decided to let it go. After all, I don't think he was intentionally trying to be late, because we all know that would just be plain stupid to try and make your wife mad. We all have our strengths, and punctuality is not one of Colby's. With that said, we did manage to get a few fun shots of the family. Next time, I have learned, I will schedule it on a weekend when I can make sure he will be home.

Here are a few of my favorites from the photo session. Raif is usually pretty hard to capture on camera. But, Miranda did a great job of capturing their personalities on film.

Fun Time with Friends

Reagan on the carousel at South Coast Plaza
We tried to see Santa, but the line was horrendous.

Are they flying?

New Year's Eve we spent at the Cox house.

We tried to watch fireworks, but it was so foggy we could only hear them. The kids were in bed by about 9:30 and Colby and I almost made it to midnight, but not quite!

Picture with Santa

We didn't get to the mall this year, but we did manage to take a family photo with Santa at Virginia Country Club. This is a mish mosh of outfits, Raif was playing in the "snow" they brought in, Bailey and I came from The Nutcracker and Bailey changed into comfy clothes, and Colby was in a sports coat. Still a fun photo for the kids yearly picture with Santa!

Christmas Day

I failed miserably at taking pictures Christmas Day. I think I do this every year. Even without many pictures, it was still a great day. We started out at home getting woken up by our overly anxious daughter at 6 am. I guess that's not too bad though. She begged us to wake up her little brother so we let her. They saw their stocking first, and seemed a bit sad that none of the stuff they asked for was in their stocking. I think they had forgotten that Santa always leaves their gifts on the fireplace. Their faces were so sweet as soon as they saw what Santa had left them! We had dinner at our house, and I did not take one single picture. We did have a delicious dinner with everyone though.

Opening their stockings
Raif discovered the presents from Santa!

A Hello Kitty watch for BaileyDaddy opening up one of his gifts from the kids, an aquarium night light, since he's always wanted an aquarium

Rockin' out with their new guitars

She loves to imitate Taylor Swift

Colby makes fun of me for getting the dogs gifts, my parents' dog, Maggie, with her new toy. Bailey and Raif at my parents house on Christmas morning

Kelly and Eli got new bedding

My dad with a new candle, he loves Tuber rose

Videos from Christmas morning.