holiday baking

I've been busy making cookies and treats! See for yourself:





I hope I get to share some with you!

sledding! *updated with video

We had so much fun sledding today with Pat&Kristy and Lulu, this was the first time the kids have ever been sledding. We did our sledding down at the park and it worked out nice for the little kids. Chad decided to do the double diamond run, he went way up on the hill above the playground and well, see for yourself:


and here's a few more videos from the day:




Walking to the park:

Abby and Ninja Lulu:

The girls were so cute going down the hill by themselves (but boy were they heavy to lug back up!)
thankfully Jamie could bring his own sled back up:
Pat's turn!
My turn!!
Getting a nice push:
Chad was so happy to get off work at 2!
Jamie had such a good time "racing" the girls (he usually won and he'd be like "I won, I won!"), get ready, get set, go!!Abby and mama:
It's starting to get a bit late, look at those rosy cheeks:
and Abby's getting a bit too cold:

Looks like we'll probably get another to go again tomorrow or this weekend, yay!

photo competitions - updated with 2 more

I decided to enter an online photo competition, I've known some other people that have entered and won a bit of cash. Your first entry is free, then each entry only $2.00. It is a bit of a popularity contest, so if you get a chance to vote, please do. Sydney's pic is also in the best smile category so you could vote for her too!

Registration is free and they don't spam. Here are the links:

http://www.competico.com/photo/la-jolla-sunset-2

http://www.competico.com/photo/a-girl-with-woody-s-hat

http://www.competico.com/photo/jamie-7


http://www.competico.com/photo/cool-dude-16

outdoor lights

Tonight Chad didn't have to work overtime so he actually got home before it was dark (yay!). He decided it would be a good night to have our first annual outdoor light hanging! The kids loved "helping" and "directing".

Testing out the ladder:

Either she's telling me where daddy is, or telling daddy where to put the lights...
A nice picture of the pink sky we had tonight:
So cute in her winter cap!
Getting out the lights for the tree:
Unpacking, and waiting...
Don't ask me what she thought she was going to do with that plug!
Okay, so we underestimated a bit how much we would need to decorate the tree and it looks a little, well, ridiculous...off to buy another strand tomorrow. We were going to put them around the window instead but Abby kept pointing up in the tree going "ite, ite" (lights)...so we gave in:
Our hero!
And here's the lights on the front of our house, Jamie picked out the color. I am really impressed how sharp this photo is considering I was not using a tripod (WTG me!)

taking care of business

So I'm thinking about starting an email announcement for those that don't use the RSS feed. If you'd like to be informed of when I update the blog, send me an email or comment.


Today, the garbage truck came to take care of his business and the kids had a great time watching from our balcony because the truck was right there. I was thankful that it was recycling and not garbage because I did not want to smell the dumpster being loaded into the truck that was right outside our patio! Abby cried when it drove off, poor Abby, such a rough life she has :)

Also, Chad found out that we are most likely coming back to San Diego for a month in January. We'd love to have visitors so start looking for those plane tickets!

pool time

Going to the pool has to be the kids favorite activity! It's a chillier than I would like but I manage for awhile then jump in the hottub (which is actually broken at the moment, {argh} I think this will be the last time we stay in this complex!).

Abby is telling me how daddy is underwater (I think she was concerned):
Look at those cute eyelashes!
Jamie is just about outgrown his floater suit. Time for swimming lessons!
Abby just likes to sit on the top step and play with her "nemo" squirter:


Abby didn't really want to be in the water here (she gets cold like I do):
"Mommy will you get in with me????"
"I suppose..."

more fun

My little turkeys! We went to the neighborhood library on Thursday where they had preschool storytime and a free craft for the kids where they made these cute turkeys (okay, so I did most of the work!):


So Chad is off his 12 hour shifts, he's now working swing for the next 2 days and then Wednesday he has it totally off. Only bad thing about taking a day off down here is that you have to pay for instead of Mr. Sam :( But that is okay, I'm going to lose my sanity if I don't get my husband back! Here are some pics from around the apartment. Speaking of the apartment, we are moving to a hotel on Tuesday. This place was not well cleaned before we moved in and I just want to get out of here. Plus Chad has to turn his car in on Wednesday so we'll be right downtown where we can take the bus or trolley, or walk wherever!