Goodbye 2012

Well 2012, you were spectacular.

The first year since 2007 that I wasn't pregnant or giving birth to a baby!!!!  Whew! 

We traveled far and wide...Paris, Augusta, Seattle, Isle of Palms, New York, Disneyland, Green Bay, Georgia and much more...

We turned 36, 31, 3, and 1!

We loved, we laughed, we learned and we made memories to last a lifetime.

2013, we are ready for you!  Can't wait for another year to live each day to the fullest, loving life, loving each other and loving our Maker.

More than ever before, as this year comes to a final close, I am thankful, so very thankful, for all the blessings of the past year.  Looking forward to a new year of growth, adventure, health and FUN!!!

Thank you family, thank you friends, for loving us, growing with us and encouraging us on days we need it most.  Life is a gift, live yours with passion!

Twenty thirteen...CHEERS!!!!!!

Bedtime Prayer

"Dear Jesus,

Thank you for my new dolly bed. I hope no one takes it because I love it so much. Amen" 

--Lucca's bedtime prayer 12.31.12

Oh, December

December is here (and halfway over?!?!?!) and we have been having the most wonderful time! The magic of Christmas through the children's eyes is truly spectacular. And oh so fun! We've been creating new traditions, celebrating old ones, baking Christmas cookies, singing carols, looking at lights, sitting by the fire, taking pictures with Santa, hiding our Elf on the Shelf, watching Frosty the Snowman and The Grinch for the first time ever -- and above all else, learning about the REAL meaning of this holiday season.

To my joy and Rustin's dismay, our little chick seems to love Christmas just as much as her mama. It's been awesome watching her light up and squeal about all the lights, decorations, packages and festivities happening around here. Like mother, like daughter. Except I don't know how she learned more words to the Christmas carols than me. Crazy that she corrects me if I sing Frosty or Rudolph wrong. . 

 

 

Lucca's preschool Christmas Sing-Along

 

Packages arriving!

 

Our favorite house to look at down the street

 

Breaking from Christmas photos for a quick Ring Around the Rosey

 

Snoopy!

 

If you could have heard her singing "O Christmas Tree, you are soooo beautiful..."

Calistoga

We have some lucky kids, growing up in the Bay Area with so much to see, do and experience right at our fingertips.  In under an hour, in any direction you go, you are bound to find yourself someplace magnificent.  Holding true to one of our New Year's resolutions, we have been exploring new sights and places on the weekends ... and loving every minute of it.

Yesterday, we decided to spend the day in Calistoga and see the Old Faithful Geyser of California.  Every five minutes the geyser shoots up a tower of water from the earth. So cool!  Not to mention it's in the heart of wine country and set in front of a gorgeous backdrop. 

After watching the geyser shoot up several times, we walked over to feed the sheep and goats on the property.  Jackson is one brave dude, Lucca a little (lot) more hesitant.  Like her mom???

I mean, really.  How gorgeous is this place? 

After our stop at Old Faithful, we drove into the town of Calistoga and had lunch at a cute deli.  We got a treat at a bakery after lunch and at that point, Lucca pretty much thought she made it to heaven.

Days like these make me so very thankful for my sweet little family.

Halloween 2012

 

Admittedly, Halloween has never been my favorite holiday.  I am such a holiday lover, but Halloween usually takes last place in my holiday lovefest.  But kids change everything, don't they?!   Last night was so fun, I enjoyed every minute of it. 

Starting with picking Daddy up from the ferry.  

...DRESSED AS A CHICKEN!  

 

  Driving with the chicken.  Could not stop laughing all night.  

This year, Lucca decided to be a lavender-fairy-butterfly-ballerina-princess (that just screams 3 year old girl, doesn't it?) and Jackson...well, he was Superman.  We had big costume plans for this bruiser, but he's sick with a cold and got to be a comfy, awesome superhero instead.

 

Grammie and Pops are the best.  This is the 4th year in a row they have come over to celebrate Halloween with the kids. Because of the rain forecast, we decided to skip our tradition of walking in the Sausalito Halloween Parade and we went trick-or-treating at the local shops down the street instead and it was perfect.

We went out for Halloween pizza and then the best part.... Lucca's first time trick-or-treating at houses!  In the dark!  In the rain!  She was soooooooo excited!  This was the best part of the night.  

"You mean, I get to ring on a stranger's doorbell and they give me candy?  And you let me eat it???  Halloween is the best!"  She was bouncing from house to house, saying I love this!  This is my favorite house!  Let's go to this one!  

Loving. every. minute.

Jackson got right on up there too, saying "HAPPY HALL-WEEEEEEEEN!"  And he would take the candy and put it in his bag.  Has no idea what it is, but liked the process.

Such a fun night.