Christmas with my sis

I love my in-laws. They are the best of the best. And it was so fun seeing my two sisters-in-law (we missed you, Jenna!) before they left for Christmas. We had a fun shopping day and spent time chatting and catching up by the fire.

Carley, me, Bronwyn

Daddy cuddle time

Chloe loves her grandma

Christmas was great. My sister, Merrie, and her family came down from San Francisco, to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas day with us and Danny's family. It was a blast partying with them and watching the little cousins play together. We played lots of games, ate tons of delicious food, and stayed up late talking. On Christmas Eve, we spent the day at Morro Bay -- walking the beach, eating fish and chips, getting salt water taffy, and feeding the seals at the aquarium... 

Morro Bay 

I love my sis

Eating fish and chips 

choosing out salt water taffies... one of my favorite things to do here

feeding the seals

We came home, followed tradition by eating pizza for dinner, then we baked and decorated cookies for Santa. We then opened a gift (pajamas), delivered [in secret] a turkey dinner to a needy family, then we gathered around and talked about the birth of our Savior, and the events leading up to it. Merrie then sang a couple songs, and practically had everyone in tears by the time she was done. She has the most incredible voice. After the spiritual part of the evening was over, we all played games and ate treats 'til the wee hours of the morning. 

decorating cookies

On Christmas Day, we spent hours opening up gifts, then Merrie made us all a delicious breakfast of German pancakes, then we were able to Skype Danny's brother, Nate, who is serving a mission in Peru. The rest of the day was spent relaxing, playing with our new Christmas toys, eating, napping, and playing games. Such a great day.

Christmas morning - love you guys!

The day after Christmas, we visited with some friends, then spent the day in San Luis -- walking the shops, going out to dinner, and eating cupcakes. It was fun showing them the area that Danny grew up in, and where we spend so much time throughout the year.

These three had a blast together

The four little girl cousins together. Clearly, Tatum was thrilled.

Thanks you guys for joining us! We love hanging out with you all, and I seriously wished we lived closer. Love you so much, and thanks for making this Christmas so special!

'Tis the Season

We are just so excited for Christmas. Excited for Danny to have a two week break from classes, excited to go to CA, excited to see Danny's family, and excited to have some help with the wee ones. To get in the Christmas spirit we have been doing some festive things...

 Christmas shopping

 gingerbread houses with the girls

 a visit to see Santa

 thank you, pervy Santa for telling me to sit on your lap as well

walking around the farmer's market after visiting Santa

 Christmas brunch with the girls

 seeing the lights and nativities at the Mesa temple

Tatum stayed nice and cozy, while the rest of us were freezing

 Christmas party with our friends 

(Danny couldn't make it because he had to work at his clinic)

This is the best time of year. So much to be thankful for. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

One month old

Our sweet little Tate... you are one month old today! What an amazing month it has been. You are just a joy to be around, and we are all obsessed with you. Here are a few things [for journaling purposes] I do not want to forget...

- Your big sister, Chloe, loves you so much. She loves pushing you in your swing, giving you kisses on your head, trying to force a binky in your mouth, and every time she walks by you she says "hi Tate!".

- You smiled at me for the first time yesterday (December 15th). I have to tickle your cheeks in order to get a smile, but it melts my heart every time.

- You hate taking baths.

- Out of nowhere, last week Chloe started calling you Tee Tee.

- You LOVE being held. If you are awake and not being held, chances are that you are crying... waiting for someone to pick you up and hold you.

- You have a little mullet going on... you have a ton of long hair in the back of your head, and you are completely bald on top.

- You refuse to take a binky. I've tried a million times in attempt to stop your crying, but sadly, you are just not interested. 

- You like looking out the window and at the lights on the christmas tree.

- You complete our little family - at least for now :). It feels just so normal having you around. 

We love you, little girl. Thank you for making us so happy! Happy one month!

Our happenings as of late...

Well, first things first. We just can't get enough of this little one...

And these two together...

And last week we decorated for Christmas...

Tatum with her grandma

and a visit from her great grandma

Well, I braved it and took the girls Christmas shopping with me. We went to these new outlets close by, and it was mostly a success! Here we are in front of the giant Christmas tree there...

Tate slept the whole time, and Chloe was a gem until I let her play on this...

...and when the time came to leave, she was devastated and cried bloody murder, asking to go back on the airplane. We left soon after her meltdown.

reading a Christmas book that her Nana sent her

This girl loves to be held... it's pretty impossible for me to get anything done while she is awake, because I have to hold her a lot. However, this week I discovered that if I lay her by the window, she will be happy for a little while just looking outside. Hallelujah.

family pic

Chloe's 2nd birthday

Well, somehow it happened... Chloe turned two last week! I cannot believe how fast the time has gone by. They have been the BEST two years. 

Danny's mom was in town over Chloe's special day, and she made it so much fun. She took Chloe to the store, let her choose out her own cake, balloon, plates, and cake toppers. Chloe helped her grandma make the cake and frosting, and decorated it all by herself. Of course Chloe chose everything pink. She had so much fun. Grandma took her to the park while I stayed home and made her blueberry muffins for breakfast. Then we had naps, as usual. In the evening, we had several visitors from Chloe's friends who brought her gifts, Denise made us dinner, then we ate cake and opened presents. A low-key, but fun birthday...

eating her special birthday breakfast

making her cake

licking the bowl

decorating her cake

patiently waiting to open her presents

showing us the princesses on her new jammies from Grandma

Happy birthday, sweet Chloe... we love you so much!