Colby's Birthday

For Colby's birthday we had a mellow evening at home. I bought shrimp, for only about the 3rd time in our 10 years together. We made shrimp and beef tacos for dinner and ice cream sandwiches for dessert. Afterwards we made our annual gingerbread house. Bailey, Colby and I made the house and Raif tried to eat it!

The finished product, Raif is still eyeing the candy!
Raif picking off the sprinkles!

Bailey and I icing the gingerbread house. Raif still eating it!

Boomer is trying to get a little something! Notice Raif's messy face!

Witt Family Christmas

This year we had the Witt Family Christmas a bit early, due to my scheduling error. But, my error allowed my cousin Jennifer and Vince and their family to be able to come to the party. Colby and I hosted the event this year and we had a pot luck of delicious food! The aunts brought a main dish and all the cousins brought the fixins', appetizers and desserts. The aunts all drew names for the kids and they were so excited to get presents early. Our family has grown by one this year with the addition of Keith and Carmen's baby girl, Molly. It was a fun party and so great that all of us (at least those in California) could get together to celebrate Christmas.

Sarah and Charlotte opening her new shopping cart
Bailey by the fireplace

It was such a beautiful day, we were able to dine outside

Lexy is so her mother's daughter, she does not like her picture taken

Lucas and Raif playing together

I've had the leaves in my table for a week solid!

Marissa on the slide

Say, "cheese!," Charlotte

Opening the presents

I mean, really, Lexy. I see your pictures all over facebook!

Couch potatoes!

Jaymee would smile for me!

Santa at The Grove

My mom and I made our annual trip to The Grove to see Santa Clause. This is our 3rd year going, and I still love it. The grove makes this fun video clip of the kids seeing Santa. Bailey already found the 2 previous years and we've watched them about 20 times each. Here are a few of the photos from our trip.

I, once again, had to have my picture taken with Santa.
The beautiful water fountain at The Grove.

My mom and the kids, Raif would not give up his pretzels...for anything.

Raif had his hair looking cute.....

Dinner at Pelican Hill

Colby's parents took us to Andrea's at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach to celebrate our 4 December birthdays. The restaurant was simply fabulous. I had a mushroom risotto and Colby had a spinach ravioli. Their presentation is amazing. It is such a beautiful restaurant.

The four of us.
We each had our own dessert with a candle.

My 3 gelatos, one of my favorite things I did in Italy...eat gelato!

Colby's dessert, a beautiful tiramisu

Dad's Birthday Dinner

Sunday night we celebrated my dad's birthday with a delicious dinner. I didn't take many pictures, but here is one of the table and a fun video, or two, of Bailey dancing to Christmas music.

I love how oblivious Raif his to his sister's antics!

Thanksgiving in Sun Valley, Idaho

This year, was a first for me. I spent Thanksgiving away from home. My parents went on a cruise to Central America and were gone for Thanksgiving. So, Colby and I joined his family for a fun time in the snow. The weather was quite chilly, but it started to warm up in the 20's for us and we got some fun playtime in the snow. Just 7 short months ago we were there and Raif wouldn't even put his feet down on the snow. Well...that wasn't the case this year. He had tons of fun throwing, diving, and sledding in the snow.

The pictures are a bit out of order, but it's 6 am and I can't sleep...Dinner at the house

Raif was geared up to try skiing, until he got on the actual skis.

On the way home

The kids LOVED being pulled around on the dishes.

Happy kids!

Papa Charley ran down the magic carpet run with Bailey. Quite a difference from last year, she's almost completely supporting her own weight.

Raif DID NOT want his skis on. He got so irate that he managed to kick off not only his ski, but his boot as well.

Our ski bunny

Raif was so excited to get fitted for boots

Bailey playing in the snow

Raif's "swiper no swiping pose." For those without kids, that is a reference to Dora the Explorer

The kids were acting silly

All bundled up

Happy boy

Little video of Raif "dishing" down the ramp just outside the house

Bailey's turn next

Thankful on Paper- Week 2

When I started thinking about who to write for week 2, the decision was easy.

My sister, Kelly.

When I first found out I was pregnant with our second child, I hoped for another girl. Simply because I wanted Bailey to have what I had. A sister who was also your best friend. Well, that didn't happen, and we were blessed with a great little boy. But, as I've seen with others, Bailey can still be best friends with her brother. And I hope they end up that way. Nothing beats a great relationship with your sibling.

Kelly and I are best friends. We can do everything and nothing together, and have the best of time doing it. If you know my sister, you know she is a T.V. junkie. So, to fashion her love of T.V., in David Letterman style, here are the top ten reasons I am thankful for Kelly.

10. She turned me on to Glee

9. She call me on her way home from work, just to chat.

8. I can see her all day, go home, then pick up the phone and call her, and still talk for an hour.

7. She is who she is, never pretends to be someone else.

6. She calls me, or I call her, with silly/off the wall questions...and we always know the answers.

5. We get into those laughing hysterics where you can't breathe, and no one else is laughing.

4. We're complete opposites, yet the best of friends.

3. She gave me two beautiful nieces, and loves them to pieces.

2. She would do ANYTHING for her family.

1. She loves me.

Love you, Kelly.