Christmas card~ 2011

I have to post our card this year for journal purpose. :) I love it!!! My sweet friend Mandy did family pictures for us this year (post on that coming soon) and also designed the card. She knew what I wanted and executed it spot on.

So thankful for talented friends!! 



visit with Santa~ 2011

Dustin and I were in charge of the photos with Santa again this year at Church. This year I have to say that I went into it that night not excited. I had already had two photo shoots that day, one being a newborn one and those are always a lot of work. I was just flat out tired! But I have to say that I have an amazing husband and he picked up my slack and took all the photos while I handed out info to the parents as to where they could see their pics online and chatted with them.

I do have to say that it is always fun to see the kids reactions to Santa. Some good...some not so good. ;)

Our kid's reactions this year were great. Chloe was super excited ALL day and was more than ready. She was a bit sad that she didn't bring her list, but I assured her that she would do just fine without it. And Christian was Mr. Cool. ;) Did you notice his new hair cut? ;)

I love how she is touching his hand in this next one.





yes, we are still alive...lets catch up

This poor family blog has been badly neglected, but I do hope to change that. Things around here have just been extremely busy. Dustin has been busy as ever at work and it exhausted when he gets home and as for me, I can't believe how busy I have been with work this year. If you follow my photography blog then you know what I'm talking about. This is the busiest I have ever been so there has been little time on the computer for other things. ;)

Things around here have been pretty normal to say. Christian is doing great in school, a little too much talking sometimes though. ;) He is a smart little guy being one of the top math students and coming on strong with his reading. He still loves school and his teacher this year. He also got a new haircut that he requested (pics to follow soon). He still loves Star Wars and playing games on his dad's phone.

Chloe is still her princess-like self. She is sweet and sour all at the same time. She is learning where the fine line between joking and being bad is right now. It's hard to get mad at her though because she really is a sweet girl and just wants to help you and have a good time. She is very smart and speaks older than her years sometimes. She really is a special little spirit!

Dustin took vacation while Christian was on break for Thanksgiving. He got to rest up and spend lots of time with the kiddos. We also broke down and bought our Disneyland passes again and are enjoying them. I think we had one of our best trips ever there last week.  

I have been working so much that when I'm not I have been leaving the camera behind. Yes, even on Thanksgiving and Disneyland trips. Work is slowing down now and Christian is on Holiday break so I promise that pictures and more updates are in the near future.      

Halloween festivities 2011

This year we had a great Halloween (well I think so). We had a few events to attend so there was lots of fun to be had.

 Christian celebrated Halloween at school the previous Friday because there was no school for him on Halloween day. They had a parade and class party. Later that night his school had their annual Halloween family night/carnival. It was so fun, but got cut short when Chloe wasn't feeling well. The kids experienced their first haunted house (their choice) and did NOT love it.

Saturday we celebrated with a party at our Church. The kids carved pumpkins for the contest (well they picked the pattern they wanted). They were so excited for it! They didn't win and Chloe thought she should have. ;) Chloe did however win cutest costume for the primary aged kids.(On a side not, I thought it was funny that Christian said he should have gone as a cute girl so he could win...haha.)

Christian had a Sully pumpkin from Monster's Inc. and Chloe had Rapunzel from Tangled. 

On Halloween Dustin and I were just plain tired and a little sick as well. It had been a long week for us. So we opted to stay close to home for trick-or-treating. We visited the grandparent's home, some friends and then a few neighborhoods. The kids had a great time!!

Christian as Jango Fett (Star Wars) and Chloe as Rapunzel (Tangled).



a big day for a little girl

Chloe had a big day last week (Oct 24th).

She got hers ears pierced!!

A few months ago she was wanting them pierced so I told her she could for her birthday. Really I thought she would forget about it. Well her birthday came and past and she didn't mention it. Well last week she remembered. So off to the mall we went.

She was SO brave. There was only one employee working at the time so she had to take turns on each side. She did amazing. Not one tear was shed. She wanted it bad!!! The woman was amazed at how good she did and gave her 5 lolly pops...one of each color.

She's a happy girl!!!

Notice the nice cut on her forehead? That was a nice spill in her brother's room onto the rocking horse that caused a night trip to the doc. No stitches thank goodness, just some glue.

(I will add the before pics from the cell phone later)

Chloe's 4th birthday

Miss Chloe turned 4th on Sept 30th and I am just getting a chance to blog about it. Things are busy around here these days with school routines again and Holiday photo sessions in full swing.

She had a great birthday and felt the love for sure. But really, she is pretty darn easy to please. Her birthday fell on a Friday this year so Christian had school, but daddy took the day off to spend with her.

We started the day by heading to the park to let her play her little heart out. She made a new friend, as she always does, and even got me and dad on the swings. Then we let her pick the place of choice for lunch. She picked Coco's. We asked her a few times, but she was certain. ;) Then we came home and hung out a bit then it was time to get Christian from school.  The kids and I ran to the store and I even let Chloe pick her own cake. Yes, I am not the baker. ;) We enjoyed pizza for dinner then some cake and Chloe's pick of ice cream. Cotton Candy...her favorite. Then it was time for the favorite part...presents.



Her new dancing /dress up skirt.



A new baby from Grandpa Bob

Her favorite ice cream ;)

A few days later we celebrated with the rest of the family at Mammy and Grandpa's house.



Auntie Marci made her one awesome cake.





She made out like a bandit. Her family knows her well.



4 things that you may not know about Chloe:

1. She LOVES to sing and dance. She does it all the time and it doesn't matter where we are.

2. She has the cutest voice ever. I'm not just saying that as a parent, everyone tells us so. She's like a cartoon character. 

3. She loves to eat. I ask her often where she puts it all. I feel like she eats all day sometimes.

4. She is an overly sweet and giving girl. She is always making things and giving things to people. Even if she just met them. She loves to pick flowers and give them to you. I love this about her!  

Happy birthday sweet girl. We love you so much and you are a true joy and blessing to this family!!

a wedding and a reunion

Last month we spent a few days up North in La Selva Beach again. This can never happen too much. Dustin spent a lot of time there while growing up and has fond memories of it. I have come to adore it as we have been married and now our kids do as well. They LOVE going to Grandma Carole's!!

This time we made the trip to attend Brant and Tina's wedding (Brant is Dustin's cousin).  We also attended a small family reunion for Dustin's Grandpa Bivins side of the family. A always we had a great time and it was a great way to close out the summer!

Someone was a bit bored at the wedding!! ;)

She really does love me!

At least she loved Auntie Nikki!

My silly boys.

Some fun in the Hotel bath tub.

 Enjoying the pier and reunion at Sea Cliff Beach.

These kids sure enjoy one another and play hard!