IKEA and Santa Monica/Venice Beach

Today, we went to IKEA in the morning and had the breakfast there. Last year when my parents came out to visit, I took them to IKEA, they had never been. So, my Mom went home and told my family about the store, so we had to show them what it was all about.

After our adventure to IKEA, we headed to Venice Beach and Santa Monica.
My niece, Amara, had never seen the Ocean or been on a Beach. So, this too was exciting.

Here are some pictures of the girls time at the beach. And YES, they even got in the water. Once we arrived at the beach, our goal was to head straight to the beach. My parents were going to set up there and keep the girls there, so we didn't have to walk them on the boardwalk at Venice. My Dad didn't think the girls should be exposed to that. So, we started walking out there, as soon as we hit the sand, Amara (she was walking w/Jason), started jumping up and down. Jason asked her if she wanted to walk in the sand without her shoes, and she didn't even respond verbably, she just kicked her shoes off for him to pick up. Next thing we know she is walking along the sand towards the beach with everyone in tow, stripping her clothes off. As soon as she got close, she just jumped right in the water. We were all shocked, we didn't have a chance to warn her that it would be cold. She didn't care, it didn't seem to affect her one bit. Hannah just followed right in the water. Neither one of them cared how cold the water was, they had so much fun and really enjoyed themselves. It makes me so happy that they had a great trip. Tomorrow is the day they leave. I will miss them.

Maybe this will be an annual family trip!

Family Christmas Party

Since part of my family is here, we decided to have an early Christmas Dinner.

We spent the whole day around the house decorating for Christmas! My sister, Jennifer, had the tree up before Jason and I got out of bed this morning. So, the girls decorated the tree.

We had lasagna for dinner and then we opened gifts.

I had a pretty relaxing day, Jason on the other hand had a long - hard day. He helped our friend Scott and Laura get moved into their new places. Scott moved back into his Mom's so he could finish school and start a new job, an apprencticeship program. While Laura moved out on her own w/a friend. He thought he would only be gone an h our or two, but ended up being gone all day!

By the time we had dinner, Mara was ready for bed, so she missed the festivities. Oh well, Santa will be here soon!

(Picture: Amara opening her Finding Nemo)

Hollywood Blvd

We took my family to Hollywood Blvd on the today. It was the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Hollywood/Highland shopping center.
We got there around noon, walked around the blvd for a bit, then we took them to Mel's Diner for lunch. After lunch, we spilt up and some of us went to the Wax Musuem and the rest went to Ripley's Believe it or Not. We also treated the girls to an afternoon at the Build a Bear Workshop, they were to choose from Rudolph or Frosty the Snowman, so that we would have them for our pictures the next day.
Jason decided to treat them to Coldstone Creamery afterwards, they were in heaven, an ice cream shop where they can pick there own flavors and treats!
After all this, we went and found seats at the courtyard and watched the entertainment and the Christmas Tree Lighting.

My family, sister and kids haven't been out here before, so we did all the tourist things. It was so much fun watching my nieces get so excited about the stars and the costume actors on the blvd.

(Picture: Amara and Spiderman)
(Picture: Hannah and Harry Potter Movie Sign)


Note to self: Don't go to bed so late the night before "black friday shopping" and then spend all day in Hollywood. I'm beat! I've been up since 330am....Ugg! I will sleep good tonight!

Turkey Day

WOW! We had 15 people over for Turkey Dinner. It was really nice to have both of our families together for Mara's First Thanksgiving.

We fed Mara some mashed potatoes. She really seems to like potatoes.

Not much to say right now, fully belly. We will be venturing out in the morning for "Black Friday Shopping". Aunt Lou Lou, Jennifer, Casey and I will be getting up at 330am to beat the crowds. Looks like we are going to Best Buy, Linens and Things, Target and K-Mart. So, shouldn't be to bad of a day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Garment District

Today, we took the girls to the garment district.

They all were so happy to be shopping w/great "deals". I think the one store might not have anymore purses left. LOL

We spent about 3-4 hours there and then went and had lunch.

After lunch, we came home and started our preparations for Turkey Day!

Trip to DisneyLand

This week, we have family in town from Arizona and Ohio. The one thing everyone requested was a day at Disneyland. Well, the girls set out for a day there while the men set out to play golf. Oh, and we sent the men to the grocery store to buy all the food on our shopping list for TURKEY DAY!

Disneyland was a lot of fun. Mara did really well. She played in her stroller, went a few rides and was spoiled by all the family in town. The parades at Disneyland were really pretty. We were able to see the normal Disneyland Parade as well as the Christmas Parade. The fireworks at the end of the night were amazing. My little niece, Amara, went crazy when she saw Tinkerbell flying over the castle. She kept screaming, "Tinkerbell, come over here!".

I took Mara on the pinocchio ride and she liked it as well. We all had a wonderful time!

(Picture: Hannah and Mara)

(Picture: Jennifer, Mom, Amara, Casey, Me, Mara, Aunt Lou Lou and Hannah)

(Picture: Hannah, Mara, Amara and Casey)

(Picture: Amara, Me and Mara)

Sitting Up

Mara is starting to sit up really well on her own these days....I always have the camera near by for moments like this.

Daddy's Little Rock Star

Jason seems to be determined to make her a Rock-n-Roll Baby.....This time Daddy dressed Mara....

Our little angel

Mara and Mommy sleeping....how peaceful.

Updates!

Hi Everyone,

Things around our household have been so busy and hectic. I sometimes don't what day it is, what time it is or what I am doing? I've always been told when you have a baby, you sometimes find that you hardly have time to take a shower. Or is it, that when you do take a shower you are constantly wandering/worrying about the baby. How is she? Is she crying? So, you hurry up, wash, rinse off and get out...run and check on her, only to find her okay and she hasn't even missed you while your gone!

I love my little girl, with each new day she does something amazing! She is now 6 months old, rolling over and talking so much! We bought some Baby Einstein DVD's and she loves to watch them, at certain parts she starts kicking her legs and arms all over. Especially in the beginning where the catapillar comes on the screen. Sometimes, she just grunts and other times she just laughs.

For the last month we have had my parents visiting. So, it's been nice to see her interact with them. Tomorrow my Mom will go back to Ohio and my Dad will stay here, hopefully he will find some work. Last year he was able to work for a couple of months while he was here.

Last night was Mara's First Halloween and we had her all dressed up as.....PRINCESS LEIA! We took her to our old apt complex to go Trick or Treating, by the time we got her out and set up in the stroller she was passed OUT. We were able to put her back in the carseat and head home. She didn't even wake up. So, her First Halloween she slept through and we didn't even have ONE trick or treater!!!

Tonight was a busy night, I FINALLY found time to sit down and go through Mara's 3 month pictures and pictures from her Baptism. I got them all addressed, stamped and ready to go in the mail tomorrow. This makes me very happy, considering I just got her 6 month pictures back today. So, this weekend I will have to make more time to get those in the mail, so when Thanksgiving rolls around I can get the Christmas cards w/the family pics in them.

Speaking of Christmas, we are almost done with our shopping. Just a few more things to pick up. But, my big decision is if I want to do a "family" letter w/our Christmas cards or not. I've never done one, we get them from a couple family members every year and they are very interesting, but I'm not sure if I want to do one. Jason says to do what I want, but not too sure! I guess we'll have to see if I can come up with some more time or not.

Well, I've had Mara out of daycare for a little over a week now. My Mom leaves tomorrow and I knew she really wanted to spend some time w/her so I decided to leave her out. But tomorrow she will return. I only take her for about 4 hours a day. It's nice for me to get some errands done and go to the office for a little while. It's also nice because I get to spend so much time with her. While my Mom was visiting she noticed that Mara is getting really attached to "Mommy". Sometimes when I'm playing w/her and get up to do something or if I walk by her, she gets so upset. I've noticed if I say "goodbye" to her and tell her "Mommy will be right back" she gets so fussy and won't stop until I pick her up. It's so nice to know she misses me, but at the same time I feel bad that she sometimes won't go to anyone else.

Well, I guess I've rambled on long enough. Here are some pictures of Mara. Hope you all enjoy them!