Paradise in December????

We just returned from the most wonderful vacation! Last Saturday, Michael, Connor, Poppy, Mimi, and I drove down to LA and met Mallory there. We stayed in a hotel for one night and then boarded the Mariner of the Seas with my Aunt Judy from Michigan. The trip was filled with adventure, fun, laughter, and relaxation! We had three ports that we visited: Our first stop was Cabo San Lucas where Aunt Judy, Mallory, my mom, and I parasailed and Michael, Connor, and my dad enjoyed the boat ride. We then enjoyed a good meal and some drinks at Senor Frogs. The next stop was Mazatlan where we all took a water taxi to Stone Island and had a lovely day at the beach including jumping in the waves, building sandcastles, drinking margaritas, and soaking up the sun. Our last port was Puerto Vallarta where we enjoyed the day at the Krystal Hotel, swimming in their beautiful pool and getting 90 minute massages! It was fabulous! On the ship, Connor had a blast swimming, making friends, dancing, and being ooo’d and awww’d over by all the people. Connor really enjoyed the entertainment including an ice skating show and a juggler. At the end of our long journey home yesterday, Connor said, “I want more vacation!” Michael explained that our next big vacation will be with Grandma and Papa Louis in Hawaii in September. The first thing Connor said this morning was, “Hawaii???” Big thanks to Dave and Jill for taking care of our first born, Buddy, while we were gone.

It's Christmas Time!

We're enjoing getting ready for Christmas and here are a few photos we've taken while gearing up for the holiday season.

Michael and Connor looking at the lights on our home.

Connor proudly standing in front of our home.
Mommy and Connor setting up the Nativity Scene and talking about the Christmas Story. (Thank you to Liz Garamendi for our beautiful Nativity set)

Connor petting the sheep.

Just after this picture, Connor picked up baby Jesus and yelled, "Naked Baby!"

Connor has spent a lot of time looking at all the ornaments and I've really enjoyed getting to tell him the stories behind each ornament.

The Many Faces of Connor!

Thanksgiving Weekend

We headed down to Modesto Wednesday night to begin our Thanksgiving celebrations. Thursday lunchtime was spent at the Harden's home and then dinner at the Mitchell home with the Bollengier's and our cousin from England, Ellie. Late Thursday night Mandy, Mallory, Ellie, and I ventured to the midnight opening at the mall and did some Black Friday shopping. On Friday, we celebrated Thanksgiving again at the Louis home with Dave's side of the family. Then on Saturday, we went and decorated Grandma Mary's home for Christmas and visited Baby Jack Camp for the first time. We had such a wonderful weekend filled with family and friends that we are so thankful for!

Annual Friend's Thanksgiving

Michael and I feel so blessed with such wonderful friends. Kirsten, Heidi, Danielle, and I all met in graduate school and we've been close friends through school, starting our careers, getting married, and having babies. Our husbands have become close friends along the way too. It's amazing to have friends that understand you so well and it's even better to see our kids becoming such great friends. Connor and Lilliana are close in age and always have a great time playing together. Connor adores Baby Sophia and Baby Jackson too and can't wait for them to grow more so he can play with them. We have so much to be thankful for!

Annual Trip to Apple Hill

We had a lovely trip to Apple Hill today. Michael got the day off so we could spend the day together and we really had a great time. Connor enjoyed walking around, exploring nature, eating apples, talking to the geese, searching for fish, sampling apple cider, and riding on a Choo Choo Train.

Early Thanksgiving with the Bollengiers

This weekend, Bill and Crissy hosted us for an early Thanksgiving because Aunt Marilyn was in town. We had a lovely day full of cooking, eating, playing, catching up, and being reminded of how blessed we are with such a wonderful family. It was such fun to see Connor and Baylee play together. They were great friends and followed one another everywhere! Mal, we missed you!

Aunt Bonnie sharing whipped cream with the kids!

More Halloween pictures... we had a lovely holiday with our dear friends, Liz, Greg and Madeline. Maddie and Connor were the cutest monkeys I've ever seen!

Connor's 3rd Halloween!

We had a lovely Halloween again this year. Connor was so much fun and had been looking forward to the day for a week! He kept asking if it was Halloween yet, and was thrilled when the day finally came. We spent the weekend in Modesto and practiced Trick-or-Treating at Mimi's house, Grandma and Grandpa's house and Great Grandma and Great Grandpa's house. Then we headed back home and Mandy and Chad and Liz and Greg came over to celebrate with us. We shared a meal of chili and cornbread, watched the Giants win game 4 of the Worls Series and took Connor Trick-or-Treating around our neighborhood. Connor had a great time visiting with all the neighbors and getting lots of treats. He was so polite and said "Thank you" and "Happy Birthday Halloween" at each house. I've put some pictures below, but for some reason, we lost most of the pictures we took of the day (so Mom, Jill, Mandy, and Liz- if you got any good shots please email them to me!).