West Coast Girls!

Our trip to California was so fun and so special!  I enjoyed planning the surprise for her.  Anticipating her excitement.  Sharing her experiences.


We got to the airport early, so we ate a bite and played around taking pictures. 


And here is where I brag on my over-packing self!  We got on that plane with 1 small suitcase, 1 backpack, 1 purse, and 1 tote bag!

My daughter was going to have 2 half-days at school on a Thursday and Friday, so we headed out of town on that Thursday.  We got there pretty late, but Tifani and I had already decided that we were not going to rush our days, so our first morning was about sleeping in and letting the day decide for us.  We probably didn't get to bed until 1 AM Texas time, but of course those girls were up early the next morning!


Anysa, Allexa, and Owen before we headed to the mountains for a little snow!

We drove about an hour into the mountains.  Not as much snow as usual for this time of year, but we found a sledding place and the girls had a blast.  I didn't download the video, but OH.MY! the screaming as they came down the slope!

I love heights and roller coasters and such, but I have found that my vestibular system has started to play tricks on me in the last year.  We ate a great mexican breakfast before going up and it almost did a little number on me!  Luckily not, though!


A scenic stop.


And a momma that needs some botox!

The beach was on our list for the next day.  Not the warmest weather, but the girls still convinced themselves they wanted to go in the water.  They changed their tune after getting wet!

We started our day with a little surprise for the girls...a red convertible!  They were very excited!  But, they were cold after the beach and didn't appreciate that the mommas wanted the top down for our drive on 1.  We tossed a few blankets back there, turned up the heat, and enjoyed ourselves!

I loved being there and watching her have fun.

These silly girls played so much "school" while on vacation!  At the house.  In the car.  Allexa asked for a projector for Christmas.  It was pretty cool.  Now guess who wants one!  I actually found 3 at our local garage sale store, so you never know!!

We really enjoyed The Mission Inn in Riverside.  It was so beautiful!


They were still taking down Christmas decor.  I bet it was cool at night.

They loved all the secret little doors!

Playing with my phone!



The Presidential Chair...I can see it!

On the 1, across from the ocean.  I could so do that!

My daughter actually released money from her very own hands to purchase her first pair of Toms.  She tends to hold tight to her cash, but loved the shoes and the cause.  Super cute!  Mommy loved them too but was a tightwad that day!  ;)

THIS was pure heaven for Anysa!  We got cupcukes from Casey's Cupcakes, a Cupcake War winner!  Cute little store and YUMMY cupcakes!  We sampled each other's and they were all GOOD!  I even brought home a 6-pack to share with the family.



We had such a great time on our trip and I am so grateful to our friends for hosting us!  I hope it is a trip she never forgets and one we get to do again.  I'm already thinking about ideas for future trips!

Stacey

New Year's Eve 2011

Hold the presses!  One more for 2011!

Since having kids, we rarely do anything for NYE.  The kids enjoy staying awake longer than their parents and toasting with a little sparkling grapejuice!


This year, we decided to invite a few CWK (Couples With Kids) over for some simple food and fun.


The kids enjoyed some crafts and peeking at a new baby.

Brax played a couple of intense games of magnet darts.

A few tunes!

And a great game of brown bag limbo!

I put together a bunch of topics for Charades and Brax had no intention of being left out!

The Toast!

Seeing these pictures makes me miss my house being decorated for Christmas!

Good-bye 2011!  We enjoyed you from start to finish!

Stacey

Special

On our way home from Disney and Florida, I convinced my husband that we needed to take an alternate route back home through Alabama.

Birmingham, Alabama.

To hang out with someone I had never met.

At all.

You know he was all over that without question!

I mean, what in the world could be more normal than that?

All I can say is that it felt very normal from the first moment in the hotel lobby.  And the next moment at dinner where the conversation was easy.  And at the last moment at the pool.

The kids playing at the hotel pool after dinner.  Anysa is swimming with her little girl.  A young lady we didn't know was trying to help Brax.

Luke and her son in the hot tub.

My dear, funny, and real friend Brandi.  That is her original blog where we first met.  She is occasionally here now.  I'm strongly encouraging her to come back to writing.  She is super witty and insightful.  Yes, you are!

Stacey

August 2011

The kids and I made a trip to Oklahoma to visit family.  I really wanted to revisit the Oklahoma City Memorial because it was early in the reconstruction the last time I went there.  I think the kids were interested, but it was soooo stinkin' hot that day that we all were a tad miserable.
9:01

The incredible tree that survived.

Representing the precious lives lost.  I like how they did smaller chairs for the kids from the daycare.

9:03

The cousins...trying to stay cool.

Getting some Disney spending money from Grandpa.

Arrgg, me a baseball pirate, matey!

"I hab some berry importint work to do."

Brunch with my sweet friend and heart sister, Rachel.

A traditional Bison pic...Brax had a boo boo he wasn't quite over yet, thus the crying.

The fountain at my Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee.

Jammin'

The start of his long hair adventure!  Cutie!

First day of school!


Anysa-4th grade

Luke- 1st grade

Celebrating with Papa.

Getting his groove on!

He wanted to "shabe wike Daddy".

Showing me his fresh shave!

Luke in on the action.

Stacey