Fun @ Home

There is nothing better than a family weekend at home after a long week at work.  Michaela definitely keeps us entertained and on our toes.  She has started showing an interest in the scrapbooks I have made, which of course is the goal...passing on the photos and stories of her childhood for her to enjoy later.  She has even started saying things like "that is me when I was younger", even if the picture isn't her!  One of her favorite books to look at is a mini book I made from a trip Ryan and I took the Wild Animal Park in San Diego.  She has also become quite a dare devil/gymnast.  Once she learned how to do a somersault she has been testing it out all over the house, including off a stool we keep in the living room.  Of course the first time she attempted this stunt I went running over to stop her, but once she showed she could do it...well I couldn't help but video tape and take picture of her feat.  

Tag embossed with the word joy, but is not visable

Meeting Family

Michaela was worn out after our mini vacation, so I was able to take advantage of her long nap and make some progress on my December Daily project.  On Friday the 9th we met up with Ryan's Aunt and Uncle for dinner.  They flew in from Canada to watch their son play in a few hockey games in our area.  The last time were we able to visit with them was just before Michaela was born.  So, this was their first time meeting.  The hockey game was too late for Michaela to attend, but we made plans to meet for dinner beforehand.  We decided to take them to our favorite pizza place.  Michaela was pretty shy during dinner, but for the next few days she continued to talk about "Uncle Doug and Aunt Stacy".  After dinner Ryan headed to the game, while Michaela and I went home for bed.  I am hoping to add some photos from the game to the back of this page, but since I wasn't there to take any I have to track some down.   

Mini Vacation

Having fun in the pool

I am forced to take a break from compiling my December Daily because we are out enjoying life! We decided to take a mini vacation this holiday season in order to take advantage of our winter break schedules and do something really fun/different as a family of three. So far, we are having a blast and really all we have done is meet the Goodlow family for some swimming. Our hotel room is awesome for relaxing while Michaela takes a nap & we are looking forward to some more swimming at the water park tonight!

This is when we knew it was naptime

Christmas Cards

We tried several times earlier in the season to get a family photo that we could use for our Christmas cards.  We must have been trying too late in the evening for Michaela because she was not interested in holding still or being a part of the picture!  We have several pictures where the family part just didn't work out.  Finally once we had the tree up, we were able to get her full cooperation (of course on a night when no one else was there to take the photo, gotta love the self-timer!).  We decided on two different styles for our cards this year (ordered from Snapfish) and were pleased with the results.

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day 8 tag

Holiday Decor

We definitely have a similar decorating theme each year, mostly because I really like the way it looks (I hope Ryan would agree!).  However, there are always things that are changed or added each year, like ornaments.  This year we also purchased a new tree.  Ryan and I both grew up with real Christmas trees, but due to my increasing allergies among other factors we have been using an "almost real" tree (loved the way the store marketed their selection of artificial trees as "almost real").  It took us A LOT of shopping to find the tree that best fit our house and our needs (who knew how expensive artificial trees were!).  We are really happy with our new tree and hope it lasts us more than a few years!

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day 7 tag

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Nativity

I took out Michaela's Little People Nativity set and it was so fun to watch her rediscover the set and see how her play has matured since last year.  The best part for me is that she learned the words to Away in a Manger and sings it with the song.  Our other nativity set found a new home this year where it is a bit more prominent.  

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Lighting a candle to honor Dustin Thomas Wilkinson