Christmas Eve

We had a nice Christmas Eve. Normally, on Christmas Eve we are home in CA and go to be with my whole big family. We missed it this year since we stayed in WA but it was nice to start a few new traditions. In the morning I skyped my family and got to watch them open presents. It wasnt quite the same as being there but it was sure nice to have modern technology so that Cass and I could be a part of it. Aaron had to work until 3pm which if you ask me should be illegal. I mean who has to work on Christmas Eve?!? Anyway, when he got home we went on a walk and then Santa and his elves came to our house to see Cass!!! (my boss and his daughters & son-in-law) came all dressed up and Cassidy was beyond thrilled!

She was really hesitant at first with Santa. But he brought her a book and cookies so towards the end she warmed up to him. She even wanted to sit on his lap and kept leaning in to give him hugs. After he left she kept asking for "more santa."

After Santa left Cassidy was in a really good mood so we had a little photo session. :)

Cassidy is starting to like taking pictures but only if she is taking one with someone else. Daddy was really making her laugh.

She insisted Cody be in the picture as well.

That night we had a nice dinner then drove around to look at all the christmas lights. We loved looking at all the houses with their lights on.

After Cassidy went to bed, Aaron and I had fun being Santa's helpers. I took a quick picture of all the gifts after Santa had come.

Aaron and I were so excited for Christmas morning. I love getting to act and feel like a kid again!

Giving Thanks-- Family, Football, Food & SNOW!

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

We had a nice quiet Thanksgiving, full of fun, food, football and SLEDDING!

We had a nice dinner.

Then Cassidy had some sorbet for dessert. :)

The next day we got our tree! Cass loved decorating!

Sometimes life can be hard. Sometimes sad things happen. And sometimes when it rains it pours. But everyday when I look at Aaron and Cassidy I am reminded how blessed we are as a family and how we should ALWAYS be thankful for everything we have today, right now, in this minute.

C A L I F O R N I A !

We headed to California on Nov 11th. I do not really enjoy flying anymore. Even though Cassidy loves it for the first few minutes she gets restless easily. She did better on the first flight since she watched a few minutes of a dvd at a time. Plus the water bottle was a huge hit since she loved putting the cap on and off and drinking it. Lastly, there was a little boy right behind her who help her attention quite well. Overall: B+

As soon as we got there she was thrilled to see my parents. However, she was over the moon to see Donovan. She gave him soooo many kisses!

We took them to the park and they had so much fun together.

On this trip Cassidy fell in love.... with my brother John that is. I dont know what happened but she just followed him everywhere and always wanted to play with him and give him kisses and hugs. It was very cute.

We also went for a hot tub. I mean it was in the 70's all weekend!!! I was sweating the whole trip. LOL But it was nice to just be outside.

On Saturday we were off to celebrate my niece Sage turning 1! We went to this place in Sacramento that is kind of an arts/crafts place but with balls & tunnels as well. It was really neat and the kids had so much fun.

Isnt she so cute?!?! I can't believe she is 1!

After the party we all went back to James and Melissa's house for a nice family dinner. Here is the only shot I got of all the cousins.

We took the late flight back and so Cassidy was tired. It was a full and loooooong flight. Oh boy, it was pretty hard. We are heading to Hawaii in a month and all I can say is I am so glad Aaron will be with me to help! She tried to be a good girl but just hated being trapped. Overall: C-.

It was so nice to go home though! I cant wait to come home again in February for Cassidy's 2nd birthday.

Happy Halloween!

A little late but still Happy Halloween!! Our precious duck had soooo much fun!!! She would run up to every door then knock and smile so big when the person answered. She tried to go in each home ESPECIALLY if they had a dog (even if the dog was barking all mean). Then after she had her candy she would run into her daddy's arms on the sidewalk as we would clap. Then she would look at us and say "more more!" She would have gone all night! :)

Those were the before shots.

First we went to our friends house!

She knows their house so ran up the steps.

She waited so patiently.

More action shots.

We had so much fun this year!! Quack quack! :)

20 Months

Cassidy is 20 months old! I do not however like when people say oh so she is 2. No no and no. I dont like when people age babies. She is only 20 months. :) I cant not even begin to think of my baby turning 2! That seems crazy.

Anyway, Cassidy is a full on toddler now. Let me tell you (by the way I am not really sure who I mean when I say let me tell YOU, like that could possibly only be my mom LOL)... Cassidy said the word "mine" for the first time the other day and I about had a heart attack. We have never used that word so I know she picked it up during the 5 hours she is at day care a day. We are trying to get her not to use that word! She has been doing better but I could feel my blood pressure rise the couple times when she has screamed MINE and thrown a fit. Oh boy!

She is still happy 99% of the time though and doesnt spend too much time in time out. :)

She still loves ducks! We had been spending a lot of time at our favorite park here feeding the ducks. It is getting soooo cold now though so that may be coming to an end. :( I just want fall to stay forever! I used to love snow but I am pretty positive we are not going to love being stuck inside all the time. Toddlers need to run free. :) Anyway, so here are some pictures.

She loves to feed the ducks, chase the ducks and sit by the ducks. :)

She says tons of words now and has started putting two words together. She says "hi mama" and "don't know" and "that way" and "sit please" etc. We have been working on potty training, using forks and spoons and always drinking with no lids. She loves to give kisses and loves to be told any secret.

She loves Glee which is because of the singing and dancing. She requests it at all the times. She gets really close to your face, looks in your eyes and says "glee, glee, glee, glee, glee please!" She only wants to watch certain songs so I have all the episodes taped for special occasions when we put on a song for her.

She is so sweet and lights up our lives!

I heart Fall

Fall is my FAVORITE time of the year. I love it. The weather here has been perfect. Sunny but crisp. :) I love pumpkin everything and anything. I love Halloween and I LOVE Thanksgiving! We kicked off Fall by taking a trip to the pumpkin patch.

First we went on the tractor ride that circled the property.

Then we went all through the little kid's maze.

Then it was off to pick the perfect pumpkin!

We found the perfect one! :)

Cassidy wanted to be stylin'.

In other news, check out those teeth! We could not be more proud. :)