Holiday Festivities

Our holiday season was filled with some fun activities. We went to the Tempe Boat Parade with Grandma and Papa. We had special VIP seats through Papa's work. It was fun to see all the decorated boats go by on the lake and the night ended with a big fireworks show.

 

 

We went to Bass Pro shop and got the cousin picture with Santa Claus.

 

 

 

We had some fun cookie making playdates

 

We had our big gingerbread house sleepover night with Grandma. I love doing this every year. This year the kids decided they wanted to go caroling. They got all dressed up and went to a few houses around our block and sang Jingle Bells, Rudolf, or We Wish you a Merry Christmas. It was really fun to see our neighbors reactions. The kids were surprised to get treats from some of the hosues as well. I'm sure this will be on their holiday to do list next year too.

 

 

 

 

Felf our Elf joined us in December. Here is a video of Ellie telling him some rules about staying away from them so they don't touch him.

 

Disneyland and California Adventure

We went on a vacation to Disney! We spent a day in Disneyland and a day in California Adventure. It really was so much fun. Ellie loved all of the princesses and other characters. She had an autograph book that she was trying to fill up. Patrick really wanted nothing to do with any characters (except Sully) but he certainly loved the atmosphere and the rides. Ellie wasn't really into the rides. Her favorite things were eating lunch with the princesses at Ariel's Grotto, watching the Aladdin and Tangled shows, getting her face painted, participating in a wilderness show with Russell from Up, and all of the festive decorations. Patrick loved going on some of the rides, especially the ladybugs, train, carousels, Ferris wheel and Monster's Inc ride. We had front row seats to the holiday parade and they both enjoyed watching all of the characters dance by. We were able to watch the fireworks show from our hotel and it was amazing. We spent two long days there and we were all exhausted at the end of each day. It was really neat being there right before Christmas and seeing all of the beautiful decorations. We were so lucky to be able to do this. Thanks, Daddy!!  

 

 

 

 

McKinley Visit

Before heading to Disneyland, we stopped for a visit with Sheila, Caleb, Lucy and Jamie. It was such a beautiful evening at the beach in Carlsbad. It was a bit chilly and the water was cold but it didn't stop Ellie from getting right in there. She was messing around in the water and tripped and fell a few times. She was soaked but loving it. Patchy loved running around the beach with a football and his pal, Jamie. The sunset was amazing! We went back to the McKinley house for dinner and a sleepover. It is always such fun to catch up them. Patchy certainly hit the bulls eye in the Godmother department. He loves his SheShe!

A Birthday at the BMX Track

Ellie and Patchy were invited to a birthday party at a BMX track. It was so fun because Ellie had just started riding her bike on her own and it was a good way to throw her in there. Daddy painted Ellie's old pink Strider blue for Patchy so he had a nice new bike to practice on as well. The dads even got in on some of the action. It was such a fun, chilly day!