Christmas Music

We LOVE Christmas music in our house during the holidays.  It is on basically at all times.....unless we're watching TV.....actually.....sometimes we do both :) 

Our most favorite songs this year are:

1.  Do They Know it's Christmas - Glee Cast (awesome version)
2.  Little Drummer Boy - Bob Seger
3.  Christmas Sarajevo 12/24 Instrumental - Trans Siberian Orchestra

Download from iTunes and ENJOY!

Love....

...How these two Love eachother

Big Canyon Christmas Brunch

We went to our annual Big Canyon Christmas brunch yesterday. The food was soooooo amazing (the mimosas too)!  The girls loved all the gorgeous decorations and Grace made gingerbread cookies, crafts and saw a reindeer.  Cami just loved running around checking-out all the Christmas decor.  She is so independant.  Cami also sat on Santa's lap -G was busy doing something- but we didn't get a picture unfortunately.  The girls have been 'wearing the hec' out of their Christmas dresses this year.  I've already dry cleaned them 3x!  Mental note: buy TWO matching dresses for next year :)

December Traditions etc.

1. Our Elf of the Shelf came 'alive' on December 1st.  Grace loves finding him each morning when she comes down stairs.
2. We started the Advent Calendar for the second year now.  Of course Grace loves eating her chocolate each night.
3. Grace went to a cupcake decorating event with Grandma a couple weeks ago and was in heaven making Xmas cupcakes.
4. Grace is going to the Nutcracker musical with Nan on Saturday.  Last year we went to the ballet and she LOVED it.
5. On Sunday we're going to our annual Big Canyon brunch with Santa.  We ALL love that event!
6. We got our tree & decorations up last weekend.  Cami loves the tree and Christmas lights around the neighborhood.
7. I am 90% DONE with all Christmas shopping and wrapping!!!
8. More fun Christmas events around the corner...

It's such a great month so far (despite the girls' re-occuring colds).  There is NOTHING like Christmas through a child's eyes :)

'A Bunch of Gifts'

Posing by her class Christmas tree

Reading Christmas books with her friend Audrey before the show

Singing their little hearts out :)

Christmas party back in her classroom - with Audrey and her big sister Ava

Grace had her Christmas show at Grace Christian School today.  The program was called "A Bunch of Gifts" and it was adorable.  They sang a bunch of songs.  After the performance they had a class party :)

Pumpkin Crunch

The easiest and tastiest Fall dessert ever! 
My contribution to Thanksgiving dinner this year.  Mike LOVED it last year.

1 box yellow cake mix
16 oz. packed pumpkin
12 oz. evaporated milk
3 eggs
1/2 C sugar
4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp salt
1 C shopped pecans
1 C melted butter

Mix together pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugar, spice and salt.  Pour into greased 9x13 pan.  Sprinkle with dry cake mix over top of mixture.  Top with pecans. Drizzle with melted butter.  Bake at 350 for 50-55 minutes.  Serve warm with whipped cream.

Thanksgiving Feast, Ponies & Cupcakes

Today Grace had her preschool class 'Thanksgiving Feast'.  It was so cute, all the kids had turkey hats and laminated placements with a picture of them dressed like a pilgrim and they said what they are thankful for.  Grace said she was thankful for her friends.  The kids ate a big meal as the parents and siblings watched/helped and played in the classroom.  Tonight we are looking forward to our friend Nola's pony party!  There will be ponies strolling down Cantora - watch out neighbors.  This weekend Grace has a cupcake decorating workshop AND sleepover with Grandma and Papa.  Fun times for these little turkeys :)

Family Updates

We've been busy winding-down Grace's birthday festivities.  She had a fun weekend - cupcake decorating with a few friends & a family  pizza party at Papa/Grandma's house.  Everyone spoiled her so much this year with such kind and thoughful gifts.  She is a lucky little girl!
I'm trying to organize our house a little before the Christmas madness begins.  I feel overwhelmed with toys so I'm focusing on the girls' rooms and our downstairs closet so the house doesn't look so cluttered with toys all over.

Mike is busy working a lot and I need to start getting motivated to work-out after a couple weeks off.  Between colds and the time change we ALL need to catch up on sleep!

We had two photo shoots recently, one of the girls in a studio & a family outdoor shoot (Christmas card).  Nan and I picked out our photos yesterday from the in-studio shoot and they are very fun.  We will be giving some away as Christmas gifts.  The family shoot was very cool at my favorite spot in San Juan Capistrano and I am always so impressed with our photographer's results.  I want to save them for our Christmas card, but here's one of each of the girls individually.
 

Grace's Birthday - Class Celebration

Grandma joined Cami and I yesterday when we went to Grace's school with banana muffins (thx Grandma) to celebrate G's birthday.  They recognize the birthdays at the beginning of chapel and then have a little class celebration afterwards.  The kids put a coin in a can for each year and then the school donates the money to charity at the end of the year.  They also give the birthday kids crowns to wear for the day.  Grace looked a little hesitant standing in front of chapel but liked it in the end.  I think she felt special :)

Happy 4th Birthday Grace!

Four years ago today I gave birth to the most amazing little baby and today we celebrated FOUR years!  Gracie is a huge blessing to us and it has been so fun to watch her grow from a baby, to a toddler, to a little girl & sister full of spunk & personality.  Grace, you are a bright light in the lives of all you touch.  You are loving, sweet, sassy, smart and beautiful, and a great big sister to one lucky little girl.  Daddy, Cami and I love you more than words can say!!

We had a special day for Grace; starting with presents in bed first-thing this morning.  She got her EasyBake oven (among more!) so she was thrilled & ready to bake at 7:30 am (ugh!). We went to lunch and the park with Grandma and had dinner with Nan.  The celebration continues tomorrow at school, Saturday with her friends, and Sunday with her family.  It's a week of birthday party...ing for our girl :)

Happy Halloween

Madeleine, Grace, Cami and Jordan

Madeleine & Grace

Nola, Madeleine, Grace & Maya

Nan & Cami

My babies

Regan & JoJo (the best next door neighbors ever!!)

I feel like each Halloween gets better & better.  Grace was Batgirl this year....a costume she selected and I had noting to do with :)  Cami was a Ladybug and both girls LOVED the whole evening.  Our neighbor had their annual Halloween party and Nan came over to spend the night with us.  We all went Trick-or-Treating for a little bit and then Nana, Cami and I came home to pass-out candy as Mike & Grace took on the neighborhood with her friends.  A super night!!  Boo to your family too!

San Francisco Trip

Daddy and Cami at the Golden Gate Bridge lookout

The girls and their Poppy

Sandy too!

The view from Mike and my room (bridge & Palace)

Visiting a pumpkin by Poppy's house

The girl who loves to "pose"

Crab Louie's at Scomas

Wisherman's Warf

An 'almost family' photo

The attempt at the Family Photo - Palace of the Arts

Who wouldn't love these grandparents?!

A bird's eye view of the city

Poppy & Sandy's house

Nana and her very special dad

Me, Grace and Sandy

Oh, don't forget Jessie

Nana & her girls first thing in the morning

Camryn's first plane ride

We went to San Francisco this weekend with Nana & Papa to visit Poppy and Sandy. It was Camryn's first time on an airplane as well as her first time meeting her Poppy who is 90 years old - a big adventure for our family!  Grace is a great little traveler and Cami was very good in SF although the plane ride was a little hectic because she wasn't very interested in sitting still.  I cannot IMAGINE flying with her (at this age) for more than 1 hour.  We stayed at a family friend's beautiful home on Union, right across the street from Poppy's house.  It was a memorable and exciting trip for all of us.  Grace's favorites - going across the golden gate bridge, walking the steep streets, seeing a cow's eye disected at the Exploritorium, meeting Poppy's dog Jessie & Fisherman's Warf.  What a perfect weekend!!

Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

Jill, Grace, Audrey & Faith

We went on Grace's class field trip to the pumpkin patch at Tanaka Farms today.  It felt more like strawberry-picking season with this heat wave, but I'll take it over a cold rainy day for sure.  It was so fun to see Grace run off holding hands with her friends.  She has a great class and teacher this year.  Thanks to my friend Amy & my mom for watching Cami so I could enjoy the field trip.

Happy Birthday Baby!

Camryn turned 1 today!  We had a nice dinner last night with family to celebrate the momentous occasion.  Cami and Grace were both so happy to see the balloons, cupcakes, presents, but most of all, family.  She got some great new toys and tons of clothes.  Grace was such a big help with getting everything ready for Cami yesterday.  Cami, you are an exceptionally sweet and good baby.  We are so lucky to have you and just adore you with all of our hearts.  Happy Birthday!!

This Little Beauty...

...Turns 1 in 48 Hours!

We've Been Boo'ed

Each year we have a Halloween tradition on our street called the "Cantora Ghost".  He comes in the form of neighbors "boo'ing" eachother by leaving Halloween treats at their doors.  The girls woke up this morning to find some NICE halloween treats on our doorstep today :) Halloween is in the air!

Warm Clothes & School Update

I just love a good deal!   .....bought these two little numbers for Grace from GAP, 50% off.  We're going to San Francisco in October and the girls need some warmer clothes.  I've also been loving Nartjie's little leggings and long-sleeved shirts for Cami for fall/winter.  Although I love dresses on her, she trips on them too often since she's still learning to walk well so we're going to stay away from them for a few more months.

Gracie loves her school!  She has already made friends and always asks eagerly if it's a 'school day' each morning.  Her teacher is very nice and Grace's favorite parts are art, chapel (includes music) and motor development class.  She has her first field trip to Tanaka Farms pumpkin patch in a couple weeks & they're working on a fall recital.  I'm so happy she likes it :)  Grace Christian School is truly amazing!

First Day of School

Grace started her new preschool today.  She was excited to go to school, but a little reluctant to be with her new teacher and new friends.  She's staying for lunch bunch with her buddy Lukas & the preschool has a lot of bunnies so she wants to see the bunnies at recess.  I'm crossing my fingers that she says she loves it when I pick her up this afternoon :)