Christmas and More

Christmas seems to have snuck up on us this year. With our trip to California, and the surprising lack of snow (but no lack of cold temperatures) I still felt like I had a lot of time to get things together. Then Amy mentioned in her blog that we only had 9 more sleeps... WHAT! Needless to say, I did some shopping on the 23rd, and we relied on Matt's parents for the Christmas baking... I'll plan better next year! On Christmas day we had breakfast and opened presents as a family, and then headed over to Matt's parents to do gifts with the rest of the family in Vernon. Here are some pictures of our last few weeks!

Bella helping Daddy water the plants

She LOVES oranges. LOVES them.

She found our stash

Christmas morning!

Bella loved ripping the wrapping paper. I had flashbacks of Liam on his first Christmas! :)

Reading a book from Nana and Papa (I love her Christmas present pjs)

Opening a book of a whole bunch of Jan Brett stories. I might have to keep these for myself...

RIP!

You can't get any cuter than this

Reading a book from Toby and Asher

Thank you David and Kristi!!

Playing in the mess

Opening her stocking

Matt opening his stocking

A book for the bathtub!

Our best present

Cruising around Omi and Opa's

Petting the HUGE dog. Bella loves dogs!

Helping Daddy play with one of his Christmas presents

Bella LOVES to dance, and does her moves every time music comes on!

Bella booking it across the room... yes, it's sideways, sorry

Jump Jump Soccer!

California... Take 2

The second week we were in California Matt came down to join us and enjoy the sun. We headed an hour north and spent the next week in Sierra Madre with Tim, Susie, Toby and Asher. Bella had so much fun with them and all the new toys she got to play with. Here's another picture heavy post!

Hanging out on the pier at Oceanside.

Loving the sun!

Matt and Bella going to explore the water. Bellz couldn't get there fast enough!

Footprints

Sandy feet! She had so much fun!

And back out to the water...

Digging in her toes

SUN!

Hanging out on the beach

Checking out her sandy hands after she found a rock she just HAD to have

It's hard to walk when you're too busy staring at the sand between your toes...

And back out for the third time to wash off their feet

At Tim and Susie's! Bella had so much fun with all the new toys and her new entertainers

Family pic

Going to the park with Toby and Asher

Aww!

At the LA Zoo! We're as fierce as lions!

Belle/Bella... close

Checking out the huge turtle. Toby is quite the photographer!

Tim and Asher

Matt going for a stroll

Getting a closer look at the animals

At the giraffes

Tim and Susanna

As soon as we got home we decorated for Chirstmas! Here's Isabella examining the tree.

Look who found the dishwasher! There is a picture almost exactly like this of me that I'll have to get on here some day...

California... Take 1

Last month, Bella and I went for a little adventure down to California. Bella was AMAZING on the plane rides (which was a VERY good thing since I was by myself with her). The first week was spent down in Murrieta, visiting Shauna and her family, and all my old roomies who came to visit. Here are a few pics of our first week!

Irv and Melinda Cohen. Love you!

Going to DisneyLand.

Heather and Meg riding the tram

Shauna and Bellz

Trying on a pair of ears.

Her first ride! Not that she'll remember it...

Bella and Heather enjoying a fruity snack

Me and Meg

Stretching her legs

Roomies!

Look at her taking off! She saw a cute boy go by in another stroller... I'm serious.

Taking a break

Meeting Jessie from "Toy Story 2"

Playing at the Cohen's house. She started throwing the toys for their dog so that he would come close enough for her to attack.

Awww.

Oliver the dog and Matt (Shauna's brother) hanging out with Bella

Bella getting ready for bed with Heather

This was the day Shauna and I got up at 3AM!!!! to go shopping after Thanksgiving. Bella decided to wake up 2 hours early (at 6:30am) right when we got home hoping to take a nap... needless to say we were all tired...