Family History

Mike, Mom, Autumn and I went to Grandma Liz's yesterday for her 88th birthday. I decided to take my laptop and our 4-in-1, for the scanner, to Grandma's so that I could start scanning in all the old pictures she has. I always wanted the old pictures, and I'm sure I'm not the only one, so now we can all have copies, if we so desire. I haven't really photoshopped anything yet (and I'm not the most skilled at it - not like Aaron and Apryl), but I thought you might enjoy seeing these. We got 45 scanned in, with a LOT more to go. A good reason to go back and spend more time with Grandma (not that you need a reason to see Grandma)...

Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Emmanuel and his 2nd wife at Knott's Berry Farm:

Grandma Liz at Knott's:

Grandma Liz in her saddle shoes:


The Grandpa Fred we all knew and loved:


Grandma Liz and her brother, Alma. I asked Grandma if her mom cut her hair and she said, "Most likely." Mom thinks a bowl may have been involved:


Aunt Pat came over. We enjoyed a nice lunch together. Mom made two trays of Manicotti, one from the family party Friday night for my birthday (thanks, Family!) and one for grandma's house. Autumn and Mike enjoyed Bernadette's leftover stew. And green jello for dessert - yum! Jaimee came by in the afternoon and visited, Mike taught Autumn how to throw her tomahawk in Grandma's backyard, and Mike spent a lot of time reading Grandma's signed copy of Bruce R. McConkie's "Mormon Doctrine" book. We had a nice day together and then Grandma was on her way to Aunt Pat's for a nice leg of lamb dinner made by Uncle Jim, Autumn was on her way to her friend's bbq and we headed home...

Christmas Highlights

The Christmas Season started out with Gretchen's FIRST BIRTHDAY. (FYI - she likes cake)



We were very excited to have snow AND Britton & Matia the week before Christmas. We had lots of fun hanging out and playing.

Here's Matia & Uncle Shea trekking up the sledding hill, & Ella THRILLED to be a big girl that can go down by herself:



Gretchen didn't recognize her daddy & was very sad & cold. Krista took her to the car shortly after this (after a single tear slid down her cheek. Very pitiful. Poor baby).

Christmas Eve was spent making gingerbread cookies. (It's like we're in a freakin Norman Rockwell painting. We know.)



Don't worry, Ella & Matia made princesses. Phew! We thought someone would forget that ALL THINGS MUST BE PRINCESS.



Uncle Ian flew in Christmas Day. We celebrated by stealing the Massa's Wii & playing Guitar Hero (if the mic looks familiar, it's because it's from Ella's High School Musical Karaoke game. Sweet.)



Grandpa took the kids out for some wholesome activities (pelting small children with snow).





We did take a family picture (Tyler & Meghan will be photoshopped in later), but you'll have to ask Shea to post that. Till then, this should tide you over:


Then we said, "Forget the snow, we're going to the beach." And because we're awesome parents, we let Gretchen run around in her diaper. You can't see the other beachgoers in this pic, but they were all wearing winter coats & caps. Nerds!


Then we took our monkeys to see the Monkeys at the San Diego Zoo.



Ella braved the polar bear exhibit (she was really worried they'd be walking around & eating children. But they weren't.)



Then we rode a fancy sky basket across the zoo & spat upon the people below us.



Grethchen wasn't too impressed.



So we made her pose for this picture:



We had SO MUCH FUN staying at Uncle Aaron's house. Look at all the cool toys they have (she's a Princess Storm Trooper!) "Oh Darth, you're HILAROUS!"


Lets plan to take over the universe together! But first, a little quiet time...


We heart Auntie Autumn! Gretchen is saying, "Yay! Thanks for driving down to the OC (don't call it that) to see us!"



Poppa Randy & Nanna Joy made us brunch. (Dude, this is why we come visit. Free food.)



And fun in the playpen in the closet!



And really, words are not necessary for how awesome visiting family is:


And after that, we were tired:


So now we are home, the car is finally cleaned out, and we're ready to Rock 2009. Thanks for being awesome, dear family of ours!!!

Ella's special message: ftyuigvbncgttttttklmbvcxzaqwsedfrhgjkloiuughnhtygbvcxzgtg5hjjbggt6jkdfhjmnffdr5tyuilpo

Interpretation: All will be anyone knows that be in force will be nobody's answer.

Interpretation Of The Intrepretation: Ella likes to pretend to type.

PS - 10 points if you can find the Arrested Development reference.

What I Did On My Vacation

Snow Day! Snow Day!

We had a snow day in Reno! I know! Here's Gretchen gazing out on the freakin' freezing magical sight.



We bundled up & ventured outside.



Oh man, it's cold! Gretchen's super swank coat is not enough to make up for the frigid temp!



Gretchen bucked up & got used to the freeze. She got a little brave.



She's a big kid. She takes it in stride.





Then Ella & I scooped up snow & made a snowman. Colby called it a midget, but Ella said he was wrong. It's just a short guy snowman. I said that Colby needs to be more sensitive to what he teaches his kids. Ella said, "Yeah, it's not a midgelet. It's just a snowman." Also, my SoCal heritage (and lack of all winter skills including but not limited to - driving in the snow, scraping windshields, remembering gloves, and making snowmen) is on display in full force here.



Today is Gretchen's birthday. She is ONE YEAR OLD TODAY! So far she's spent the day going to church, eating oranges, following her sister & cousins around the house, and wearing bracelets. Tonight, after a lovely turkey dinner, she'll blow out candles (oh wait, we have candles, right? She might be blowing out a tea light...) open presents, and barking at the dog. It's a full day. We'll document & report back.

Does He Really Need More Golf Balls?

Does anyone have any brilliant ideas for Grandpa for Christmas? I have a few that we can go in on (you know, since apparently I'm the Queen of From-All-Of-Us gifts...)

No, Autumn, no tomahawks. Grandpa doesn't need that for his Action Adventure club. (Dude, that link you posted in your comment was awesome. Who knew?)

Here is a golf gift certificate good at a gazillion places from Costco for $100.

He likes this wine (I've gotten it for him for Christmas before...) for $8/bottle + shipping.

Here's a fancy schmancy wine gift basket for $89.

OR we could all give him $ to go towards his "Bucket List" trip to play golf in Hawaii one last time...

Anyone in? What do you think? Write your comment below & let me know.

xo

Yes, It Is All About Her. Thanks For Asking.

Incident #1

A few days ago I asked Ella to come down for lunch. Instead of happily obliging, she threw herself down at the top of the stairs and sobbed.
"What's wrong!?!" I asked (not really concerned as drama is frequent around my child).
"I never got to see Santa deliver presents!"
"Santa doesn't come till all the kids are asleep. Santa comes and brings you presents every year! You don't get to see Santa. If you see him, you won't get any presents!"
"But I want to see him!"
"Are you worried he won't know what you want for Christmas? Is that why you want to see him?" (Because in order to get the drama to stop, you must find the root of the problem & solve it).
"Yes" (big sniff, tears rolling down cheeks).
"Ok, we can write Santa a letter to let him know what you want. What are you going to ask him to bring?"
"A ball for Cooper" (Cooper is Aunt Amber's dog. He visits every Sunday. He eats balls.)
"So if we write a letter to Santa telling him you want a ball for Cooper then you'll come downstairs and eat lunch?"
"Yes."
Problem solved. And she got to tell him herself at the party, so we didn't even have to write him a letter...

Incident #2

"Ella, did you get my book from upstairs?" I asked?
"No, Mom, I forgot."
"Can you please go get it?"
"No, I'm a Magical Fairy. Magical Fairy's don't get books."
pause.
"Stop laughing. Mom. Stop laughing."
pause.
"Mom. Stop laughing or I'll turn you into a frog."
Said to baby sister, "Jump little frog!"

Beware the wrath of Magical Fairy Ella. And she doesn't get books. Magical Fairy s don't get stuff.


Incident #3

After Book Of Mormon Stories recap, Ella style, "The Book Of Mormon was brought to you today by the number 7 and the letter L."


In Other News

Yesterday was Ella's party at her preschool. It was pretty cute, all the teachers manned "stations" where the kids could do an activity (make Christmas Cards, ornaments, play a dreidle, etc.). Moms & Dads got to come. Baby Sisters got to come. But the big draw was Santa.

Here Gretchen is thinking: Crap, I'm not cool with this...




No subtitle needed:


Gretchen escaped to a different room while Ella played maraccas for her teacher.


And then she made out with her friend in the phone booth. Altogether, a typical day.

Christmas Yay!

Remember how we posted the gift exchange assignments???

And remember how only 3 of us commented back our wish list? Maybe you want to get on that & post what you want lest you get a bunch of ugly ties featuring horse heads...