X-mas Tree Hunting

We have traditionally had a real Christmas tree in our home each year. This year we decided to go cut one down ourselves. We left early Saturday morning with Grandma (Joanie) and Grandpa (Scott). We drove down to Ephraim, which was about an hour and a half ride. We brought plenty of warm clothing, a chainsaw and the 4-wheeler with us.

Grandma made sure the girls were all bundled up. There was actually some snow up where we were tree hunting.
We loaded up the chainsaw and jumped on the 4-wheeler. And we were off...

After about 5 minutes into the ride Ashley kept falling asleep. I am sure it had something to do with waking up at 6 in the morning... She is a late sleeper, like her mom.

We let her catch some shut eye while we were getting picking out the tree.

This is the tree we picked out.

TIM-BER!!! Here we are cutting it down. Ella is keeping her hands warm on the 4-wheeler hand warmer.

The girls were freezing when we got them back to the truck. Nothing that OREO'S couldn't fix.

We got the tree in the house... TA-DA!!!

The girls pulling some of their favorite faces...

Ella "trying" to hold Ashley.

My girls in front of the tree after we finished decorating it.

The Disneyland Vacation

We made it!!! 7 days at the happiest place on earth. I would say overall the trip was a success. No major tragedies or hang ups. In fact, I would say things turned out even better than expected.

The packing and preparation for the trip was a little stressful. And the flight out was a bit of an adventure; getting through security with two little girls, car seats, strollers and our carry-ons. But that being said, it was definitely better than spending 13+ hours in the car.

The best part of the trip for me was watching the girls. I thought we had made a pretty big deal about the trip and where we were going... But it really didn't sink in for them. The whole thing was a new exciting experience, from the plane there to the plane ride home.

I thought 7 days was going to be way too long, but it wasn't that bad. (Not to say we weren't exhausted by the end). It gave us time to go to Knott's Berry Farm, the Beach and even catch a major league play-off game. (Dodger dogs aren't all they are cracked up to be).

This is a picture of the girls the first day there. They both look a little dazed and confused.

A picture with Minnie...

and a picture with Mickey....

The girls up in the trees...

At the Dodger/Phillie game. (I am rockin' some sweet hair).

Let's just say, if there was a princess in the park, we made sure we hunted her down, stood in line and got our pictures taken with her. I love Ashley's facial expression in this one.

We had a seal swim up to the pier while we were at the beach. He was trying to bum some fish off of us, but we didn't have any to offer.












Ashley being cute...








We had to go all the way to California so Ella could see some goats....

Ella getting her face painted at Knott's Berry farm.

All the kids


Grandma with Snoopy, Jana & the kids.


We got our shades on for the Buzz Lightyear ride.


Hey everybody!!! Wanna go wait in some more lines?


We all pitched in an bought grandpa a hat after he had been whining the whole trip.


Jana, Ashley, Candace & Dumbo


Ashley & Ella building a bear...

As you can see, a fun time was had by all. There are probably a hundred more photos or so that I could have posted on here. A lot of good memories to remember. For the girls, I don't know how much of it they will end up remembering, but for them, I think this trip really was a dream come true. It is different going as a parent and watching them take it all in. (Man, I am really starting to sound corny. Either it's getting late or I am getting old). I am posting this and going to bed. Enjoy the pictures!

Boots n' chaps & COWBOY HATS

In our continued efforts to fit in among the locals, we got the girls some pink cowboy hats. Ashley seems to like hers the most.

We've got the horse, we've got the hats... I think we should be set. I have made it perfectly clear that we will not be compromising our standards by listening to any of that country & western devil's music. We've "Gone Country" just about as far we are going to go.

We just got back from Disneyland a couple of days ago, so we should have some more pictures to post shortly. This blog was suppose to be Jana's project. I will have to see if I can get her to post them in the next day or two. She can be a little scared when it comes to computers. ;-)

New Member of the Family

We just got a new member of our family this weekend. We decided to fit in with the folks here in Genola, so we got a baby horse. She is a filly and about a year old. She is very calm and friendly, and the girls love her. Although, Grandpa Scott's two other horses have been jealous of all the attention she has been getting. They gave her a little bit of a beating the first night here.

We were going to name her Kriscindy, in honor of my twin aunts, Kris and Cindy. (Inside family joke). But, we decided to keep the name the owner we bought her from had, which is Trixy. We'll call her Trix for short.

Don't worry, we didn't trade Ashley for the horse. She isn't in any of the pictures, because she was taking a nap. We Will get some pictures of her and Trixy on here soon.