Let's Build a Snowman!!!

Ella pushing the snowball a long...

still pushing...

The construction phase.

As the dogs watch on.

Yummy in my tummy...

The finished product.

Tastey snow eskimo

Jana Turns 1/3 of a Century Years Old!!!

Due to the tough economic times, we were unable to purchase enough boxes of candles to cover each of years Jana has been on this earth. Instead we borrowed a scented candle from the bathroom. Don't worry, no one licked the bottom of the candle. (Ashley did try).

For those of you who can't tell what the cake is suppose to be, it is a "crabby paddy". Sponge Bob Square Pants reference.

Unfortunately Sponge Bob was unable to make this crabby paddy, so Stephanie stepped in a made it. Thanks Steph!

A crabby paddy and a crabby.... (I better not go there. ;-)

Singing Happy Birthday... Don't worry, the whole family was in their underwear, not just Ashley.

Ashley, after she got into some lip gloss. "No make-up until you are 18!!!"

The two troublemakers, right before church.

Enough being cute... Let's make some faces!

Been a long time...

It has been almost 2 months since we last posted anything. (we're sorry we have let blogger-nation down). Over the past 2 months we have played in the snow, made gingerbread houses, had Christmas and I even grew a sweet beard... Now it is time to post some photos. Hope you enjoy.

Ella making snow angels

Everyone enjoying the first snow of the year...

Trixy freezing in the snow.

Trixy with ice on her.

The girls making a gingerbread house.

Ella & Ashley dancin' in their new tutus.

Gettin' ready for Santa and his reindeer.

Christmas.... what a mess....

Dad and his sweet beard...

And Ella and her sweet beard.

Jana let me keep my sweet stash for about a half an hour... Time enough to get some good pics with the fam.

We'll all miss you moustache...

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!