Santa's Secret Adventure

Last year we had heard about Santa's Secret Adventure. We tried it out this year for the 1st time. It is in Penryn, CA and in a beautiful location. Chelsea got to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. She was able to tell him what she wanted for Christmas. She also found out she hates candy canes, which she called candy corns. We went on a horse drawn carriage ride under the white, twinkling lights. Quite magical! Chelsea also got to ride Sundae, the horse. We had hot chocolate and cookies. Her favorite part was the train ride and decorating cookies with Santa's elves.

Thanksgiving in Brentwood

We drove down to Brentwood on Wednesday. John and Lindsay hosted their 1st Thanksgiving in their new house. Wednesday night we relaxed, caught up with one another. It felt so nice to be together and make memories. The house looked beautiful and the food was fantastic! Lindsay's parents and brother were there to celebrate too! Look at this picture. People on the East Coast would be envious of this beautiful weather. Love living in California!

Like I had mentioned it was the first, big, family event John and Lindsay had hosted in their dining room. They bought a new dining room table for the event. It looked just perfect. Lindsay sure knows how to decorate. I think it was a special moment for us to have Thanksgiving on their new dining table. I hope they continue to host many family meals and holidays there.

Charlotte loved her 1st Thanksgiving dinner. Including the famous Pretzel Jello Salad that I personally LOVE!! It is my favorite dish on the Thanksgiving menu each year. Both of my girls love it too!

 I am so happy John found Lindsay. They make each other very happy and I could not have asked for a better sister in law. I look forward to making many, fun, family memories in the years to come with them.

I am thankful for my incredible, loving and supportive family. They mean everything to me. I love spending time with them. I wish we could see each other more often. But I am grateful for our 3 days together over this past Thanksgiving.

Where has my little baby gone?

Chelsea just turned 3 years old this past September. I feel like it wasn't too long ago that we were praying about getting pregnant. It finally happened and now 3 years have flown by. She is growing up so quickly. Just like every parent tells you it will. She is beautiful, smart, funny, loving, animated, charismatic and spontaneous. Not a day goes by that I don't make sure she knows how much I love her and how she makes my heart so very happy.

A Fun Day at the Nut Tree in Vacaville

This place brings back old memories of my childhood. We always stopped there on our way North to visit our family. It is all remodeled now and still a great place to stop. It is the halfway point for us to meet some of our family from the Bay Area. We planned to meet my sister and her boyfriend for lunch. I never want to skip a chance to spend time with my beautiful sister. She always makes me happy. Plus we all squeezed in a little retail therapy. And let the kids play, of course. Charlotte now loves the carousel like her big sister.

Why did I take a picture of our bath mat you ask? Well Chelsea learned what footprints are when we spent the day at the beach. We showed her how to make footprints in the sand. She has been talking about them ever since. She never misses an opportunity to look at hers when her feet are wet. Whenever she showers with me, she gets out first. She ALWAYS looks at her footprints. Then she asks me to make footprints next to hers. I think it is so sweet and I love to look at her happy face when she sees them on the mat. It is the little things in life I try to cherish.

My little pumpkin

Charlotte is almost 11 months old. Time is flying! I can't believe she is almost one. Thanks to Pinterest (my newest addiction) I got the crazy idea to shove her into a pumpkin and have a photo shoot! I just love the way these turned out. She makes my heart so happy! I just love her sweet face and big, brown eyes.

Trunk or Treat

This is the 2nd year in row we have visited Bayside Church for their Trunk or Treat. It is a fun time and very well organized. We went on a tractor ride and picked out a pumpkin. Chelsea climbed a rock wall for the first time as well. They even have a fun place set up for the little ones. Chelsea loved seeing all the costumes. She wanted to be a "good witch." And Charlotte was a strawberry.When we walked into their pumpkin patch area, Chelsea just took off running. It was extremely windy that day. I just happened to snap this picture and her expression cracks me up. Her Aunt Mayra made her tutu and hat. She received many compliments on it wherever we went. Thank you Aunt Mayra for the handmade costume.

Pumpkin Patch Fun

Fall is our favorite season! We love when the leaves change. The cooler weather, pumpkins, soup, hot cocoa, Halloween, Thanksgiving.. We love going to the pumpkin patch. Especially now that we have kids. It was Charlotte's first time at a pumpkin patch. She loved it! They have a cute train ride, pig races, corn maze, slides, corn dogs, apple cider slushies and a petting zoo. We even ran into our good friends Bonnie, AJ and Jameson.

Outside Fun

Chelsea loves to play outside with the "big kids" in our court. She also loves her pink tricycle. While little sister was taking her afternoon nap, we snuck outside for some fun.

Chelsea's 3rd Birthday

You scream! I scream! We all scream for Ice Cream! Farrell's recently came back to Sacramento. We took Chelsea there on her birthday. She loves ice cream. Just like her Dad and paternal Grandpa, Sam. Farrell's was a fun experience and she loved it.

Life's A Beach

Gersson kept asking me what I wanted to do while we were in Southern California. I said I wanted to see all his family, have fun and dip my toes in the ocean. Since we live in Sacramento, we are not close to the ocean. I got my wish! We spent the day with Gersson's Mom, sister, brother in law and niece. We packed a picnic and headed to Manhattan Beach. The weather was perfect! And the ocean felt fantastic. I even ended up swimming right next to a pod of dolphins. Chelsea shares my love of the ocean and swimming. I think Charlotte will be a water baby too!