American Girls

While Grammy was here from Texas we surprised the girls with a trip to the American Girl Store. It is all that it's cracked up to be and more. Of course we were there on the first day of Hanukkah...so the crowd was fierce...but we managed. The girls brought along their Just Like Me dolls. They got to pick a new outfit and a pet. Lindsay chose Ginger the cat and a pet carrier over an outfit in the end...our pet loving girl. Kendal picked a darling blue and white dress for her doll and Sugar the dog. We had a wonderful lunch at the Cheesecake Factory, as Kendal refers to "that cheese store place we went to". Crazy crowds and tons of traffic...but worth it!

Santa in the Sun

Perfect 95+ degree day in November in California. We encountered this Santa while at the swap meet...I am sure he was absolutely roasting!

Holiday Lights With Friends

Enjoyed a fun and chilly evening viewing the lights in one local neighborhood. Our summer beach crew got together for some wintery fun. We saw Santa, got snowed on and had not one casualty during our outing. Fun times!
Anthony, Eeva, Lindsay, Kendal, Ky, Zacky (camera shy, not in one photo), Tessa, Kira and Ty (not in that order).

Annual Friends' Holiday Party at Tee's House

Theresa hosted our annual girls holiday party this year. Including the kids made the evening extra special. This bunch of ladies have friendships that span more than 30 years...a bond that is cherished by each of us. Having all of our children together was a sight that warmed our hearts. The kids did an ornament exchange and the adults did a gift exchange. Theresa had an entire room decorated for the kids, with a candy bar and holiday coloring pages...so fun! We do not take our friendship for granted and each feel blessed by the gift of spending time together. Though there was a span in ages with all the kids...they celebrated like a bunch of old friends. A night we won't soon forget...and perhaps a new tradition.

Gina, Theresa, Kathy, Wnekie, Stephanie, Me, Marie, Natalie, and Shelly

The youngest member...Nicolene

Ornament exchange

Group Photo

Holiday Party Excitement

The girls were so excited to attend my annual girlfriends' Holiday party. We decided to include the kids this year...and they loved it! This was Lindsay and Kendal ready to go!

Halloween 2011

I knew Halloween was good this year when on the morning of November 1st, Kendal asked when Halloween was going to be again. Both girls loved their costumes and all of the festivities that led up to the actual day. We had our traditional Chili dinner with Uncle Rick, Auntie Alina, Grandma Kathy and Poppy...only bummer...it was a school night!
Kendal and Ava

Lindsay in her classroom

Lindsay and Kendal before their school celebrations

Lindsay's Harvest Festival at Taper








The girls before Trick or Treating


Poppy

Grandma Kathy

Picture Day at Taper and Back to School Night

Lindsay's first elementary school picture attire. Below some projects displayed in her classroom at Back to School Night. Please note in all portraits there is a crown on our girl's head...a true princess!