A Visit to S-A-N-T-A !!!

Here is Santa 2009!!!

Every year since Logan was born (except his BIRTH-DAY) I've brought the kids to see Santa and get their photo taken. I just love comparing each year to see how much they've grown, how their faces have changed and to remember what they wore each year. I also make it a big deal about what they will be wearing. To me it's ridiculous to go see Santa and just be in your regular clothes like shorts and a T-shirt. It's marking a special occasion and since we always go the end of November (for no lines) it's nice to make it feel a bit more "Christmasy" by dressing your best although this year I just thru together their outfits. Seems each year that goes by and they get older I'm starting not to worry or stress so much over clothes. (Yes I know I am a NUT!)

Santa 2010!!!

When we got to the Mall to see Santa we were so lucky because we were the only one's there... NO LINE! Love that! The kids got to spend more time with Santa and right when they saw him Santa was telling them both how much they've grown and changed since the last time he saw them last year. Immediately Logan whispered in my ear "How does he know Mom" and I said, "Santa knows everything, he is magical". They both enjoyed visiting Santa and telling him what they wanted. Logan wanted of course new DS games and Wii games and Kira wanted a Princess scooter.

I still can't get over how much kids change in just one year! I mean physically and mentally... WOW! Look at my baby Kira! She is sooo not a baby anymore, she's a little girl. I love how they both do cooperate for a short amount of time to take pictures together because I ask. It's like they could be goofing off and I tell them to smile for a pic and they will for that instant until I tell them "got it" and they will go right back to goofing off, laughing or fighting.



Another successful trip to see Santa this year!

Happy Thanksgiving 2010!

Thanksgiving day was spent at my parent's house. It's the same every year we go to their house. Their house is bigger, their house is cozier and my Mom just cooks sooo darn good! Vic and my Dad tease me all the time and tell me I need to pay attention and learn from my Mom because she some day won't be doing all of this for us. Well for me I don't want to think that and I know how strong and strong willed my Mom is and I can still imagine her at 80 yrs old cooking up a great Thanksgiving dinner!

I LOVE this picture of Kira and Logan. It took A LOT of work just to get this ONE shot! I had been so busy photographing for clients and designers that just for once I wished and prayed for them to let me get a good decent shot of them for me to have. Kira has been so over the camera lately since she's been busy "modeling" for me and designers. She practically whined and cried the whole 15 minutes we were outside doing these shots but bringing out the cat Cotton never fails. The crying stops! (Thank goodness for sweet little Cotton).

Logan didn't mind his 5 minutes of photos. He's a pretty good trooper and it had been a while since I had done his pictures.

Here's Logan sporting his "model" serious face with me LOL! Yes we are weird... this is what we do on Thanksgiving, have a photo session on the front porch! Doesn't everyone??

LOVE this pic of Kira and I. Guess who took it? LOGAN! He loves being able to use my BIG camera and take pics. If you ask me he does a great job, even better than Vic. I now can always count on Logan if I need a picture done!

Hope everyone had a great Thankgiving! Oh and forgot to mention that wearing Jeggings for Thankgiving was a PLUS not a MINUS! Love those jean/leggings! :)

Medieval Times!

We finally took the kids to Medieval Times because the ticket prices in the month of November were great! My parents came along as well.

They both wanted to take a picture with the Knight but Kira of course wouldn't do it without me so there I am hat and all, LOL!

As soon as we got there the kids had to get souvenirs (sp?)! Just like a boy and a girl Logan went immediately for the Sword and Kira went for the Princess crown. Here she is admiring the little tiny Princess dolls.

Does this girl have some L-O-N-G hair or what?!?!

Me and my Princess!

The show itself was a little boring at least from the last I remembered it. Vic and I both thought the Pirate show was more entertaining but the kids seemed to enjoy themselves and enjoyed routing for our Blue Knight.

Kira finally caught a rose (carnation) handed out by our Blue Knight. She was so cute and totally loved it and loved smelling it. I teased her that the Blue Knight was now her boyfriend since he gave it to her and she didn't quite like that idea. It was a good night!

Logan's Last Day of Preschool

Over the summer we decided to keep both the kids in preschool since they usually do such FUN daily activities it would give both Logan and Kira something to do. Also, since Kira just started preschool in March we didn't want to have to pull her out. During the summer here they do FUN things like water day a couple times during the week, they have free swim lessons for kids, jumpers at least once a week and a bunch of other things. The kids and us really enjoy(ed) this preschool. ALL the teachers whether you know them or not are always so friendly and kind. So sad Logan is leaving here but glad Kira will still be here for the next 2yrs.

Vic and I did a pizza party with Logan's class for his last day of preschool. We brought the kids pizza and cupcakes. Man was it a scorcher on this day. Lucky for them it was water day and most the kids were in their bathing suits and had been running around getting wet. Unfortunately for Vic and I we were melting in our clothes, LOL!

Kira got to leave her 3yr old class to join Logan's pizza party although I have no idea why she is sitting at a little "loner" table behind them

Logan and a couple of his BUDDIES!

SILLY boys of course!

Logan and his FAV teacher Mrs. Macias (and mine)! Can't wait til Kira has her... hopfully

Logan and his other teacher Mrs. Maddrick

PIRATES Show!

This was our 1st time to the Pirates Show in Beuna Park. We actually wanted to go to Medieval Times w/ the kids but this was a way better deal on tickets thru Costco. So glad we went because it was a lot of fun and the kids totally enjoyed it. The food was good too and they even had appetizers included before the show. Here's our family picture when we walked in the door (I took a picture of the picture).

Logan and Kira posing with the statues while scarfing down food!

Here's our sections ORANGE Pirate! After he passed by we are to follow our man to the seating area.

Here's Logan the 1st one following him!

I'll say it again.... It was a fun experience and we loved how they involved the kids. Logan was chosen to go up on stage during the show and ride in a boat with some pirates and then towards the end of the show both kids were taken in the back dressed up colonial style with outfits, wigs and guns and came out to the show. They looked sooo CUTE! Especially Kira, wish I would of got pics.

Pool Day w/ Friends!

I finally had a pool play date at my parent's new house with friends and their kids! We've been enjoying having the backyard done and swimming in the pool for most the summer. Today was a lot of FUN yet a bit of stress as well. It's difficult to keep your eye on your own 2 kids but I couldn't help but feel I had to keep my other eye on the other kids too. Luckily I did because little Ayden had to be "saved" twice! Good thing I was so aware but I also didn't really get to chat it up with my friends. Oh well it was a great day and the kids really had a blast!

The Mom's Lindsay, Angela, Me, Lindsay and Jules with the Kiddo's Gigi, Jake, James, Gavin, Kira, Logan, Ayden, Zoe, Mikayla and Ava!

Mikayla and Gavin floating on the upside down boat. The boat was fun but I think it was probably the most cause of any havoc today.

The boys sitting on top of the tallest rock (can't tell)

FUN DAY!

Happy 60th Mom!

We celebrated my Mom turning the BIG 60 a few weeks after her actual birthday but it was a lot of FUN! For most it was their first time coming and seeing the new house finished. My parents new house for sure is AMAZING! Like better than a "model" home in my opinion so it was nice to have a party at the new pad!

My Mama and I..... She worked so hard for her own Bday party. I of course helped with what I could like order the cake, balloons, decorations etc. Oh and help skew 100 + kabobs for the party! If anyone that knows her or my parents they always put on a GOOD party and my Mom is the best cook and the best host and that is why she did practically her whole party.

The beautiful "Hawaiian" themed cake from Beverly's Best Bakery. I had gotten so many recommendations about this place so this was my first time ordering from them. Unfortunately it had to be me for my first time they messed up the inside of the cake! It was suppose to be WHITE cake and turned out to be CHOCOLATE cake! Not a big deal except my Mom the birthday girl does not eat chocolate because she can't stand the flavor so my poor Mom didn't even get a piece of cake! Thankfully the owner apologized when I called and gave me a refund!

My friends and also friends of my Mom's... Lindsay, Ang and Jules

My family.... (I hate my hair this night it decided to go curly frowy when I did not ask for it)!

Cake time!

Thanks to Brianna for babysitting the kids upstairs all night so I could have a "free" adult night to enjoy myself and the party.

LOVE that Jules and I go WAYYYYY BACK! First time we met and became friends was in 3rd grade or so and we were always close to each of our families.

Vic and I towards the end of the night! We really did have a great time hanging with friends... "adult friends", having bartenders, great food and great company! Happy 60th Mom!