Annual Christmas Party with Friends

For the past few years we've been getting together for an annual Christmas party with our large group of friends.  This year the Lewis' hosted in their new beautiful home!  It was lots of fun to get together and hang out among our friends.

There were many attempts to get a picture of all the kiddos looking at the camera.

This was probably one of the best!

Since there are so many kiddos, this year we decided to do a kids' gift exchange.  Logan loves the Cars movie, and especially Mater.  Thanks, Wyatt, for getting Logan a remote-controlled Mater truck!  Very cool gift!

Posing in front of the tree.

Breakfast with Santa

Each year Stroller Strides hosts a Breakfast with Santa.  Being that this year was Angela and my first year as Franchise owners, we got to host Breakfast with Santa and we were super excited!  This is always a fun event for the whole family.  We met at Tri-City Park and everyone brought lots of yummy goodies to share.  The kiddos had tons of fun eating, playing, listening to the story, and of course, visiting with Santa!

I'm reading The Night Before Christmas to the kiddos as Santa arrives at the park.

Santa made sure to bring his big bag of toys so that he could give one present to each boy and girl.

 Logan was very excited to receive his present from Santa.

He got exactly what he asked for...construction toys!

We had a great time and are looking forward to next year's Breakfast with Santa!

Train Ride and Visit with Santa at Irvine Park

Our group of friends and all the kiddos decided to visit Irvine Park Railroad to take the train ride to visit Santa.  We had a huge group of families, so it was lots of fun to watch all the kiddos and their different reactions to Santa Claus.  Last year Logan was screaming in his picture with Santa, so this year we decided to prep him a little bit more.  Daddy explained to Logan that Santa was the nice man that brings Christmas presents.  Daddy told Logan that when he sat on Santa's lap, it was his opportunity to tell Santa exactly what he wanted for Christmas...and that's exactly what he did!

Riding the train to see Santa.

As soon as Logan sat on Santa's lap, he turned toward him and began explaining what he wanted for Christmas.

When we were able to gain Logan's attention, we were able to snap this shot.

All of us mamas with our kiddos.  Ah, the joys of trying to get a bunch of little ones to look at the camera and smile at the same time!

Here he is literally listing on his fingers all the toys he would like--trash truck, cars, construction, etc.  This clearly was a business meeting for Logan; one in which he did some very good negotiating! 

Selecting our Christmas tree.  This one looks good!

Logan loves to help his Daddy, so he made sure to help Daddy push the cart out to the car.

BridgMurAnda Christmas Party

Every year we get together with our besties--the Bridgfords and the Penarandas--for our annual Christmas party.  This year the Penarandas hosted and since they live in Solana Beach, we all made a weekend of it and headed down to their place for lots of fun!  It seems like every year our families grow, and next year will be no different!  Not only am I pregnant, but my two besties--Angela and Joelle--are also pregnant!  I can't believe how amazing this next year is going to be.  You always dream of being pregnant with your best friends, but it seems like just that--a dream.  To add to the excitement even more, we've all found out that we're expecting girls!  Can you imagine three little girls?!  It's going to truly be amazing.  Next year when we get together for Christmas we will have seven kiddos, six of which are girls!  Logan is going to be one lucky little man!

These two crack us up!  They love to play with each other as well as torment one another.  It's quite a sight to see.

Our family of three...soon to be four!

All of our families posing by the Christmas tree.  I love these people so much!

My girls, and all of us with our "girls" in our bellies!  I'm due in February, Ang is due in June, and Joelle is due in August.  It's going to be a fun-filled year!

Every year our talented Auntie Ang makes Christmas pajamas for the kiddos.  Here are Logan and Kalea modeling their pair.  Thanks, Auntie Ang.  This Christmas tradition is so special to us!

Family Pictures

For our family pictures this year we decided to go with Angela's sister, Andrea, of Andrea Gene Photography.  She is a great photographer with lots of patience for the little ones!  Picture day always seems to be so stressful, so it's nice to have a photographer with patience who can capture the special moments on a crazy day!  I love these pictures and can't believe how big our little Lo-Jo is getting.  Thanks again, Andrea!

Thanksgiving

This year for Thanksgiving we hosted Josh's family at our house.  We made the turkey and everyone else brought the sides, desserts, and drinks.  We had a great time visiting one another.  Afterwards, Josh, Logan, and I headed over to my parents' house for another Thanksgiving feast.  By the end of the day, we were stuffed and exhausted--the perfect end to Turkey Day!

Josh, his Granddad, and Logan.  We don't get to see Granddad as often as we'd like, so it was a real treat to have him over for Thanksgiving.

Me and my Mother-in-Law.  I don't know what I'd do without this woman!  She is such a huge help to me, Josh, and Logan.  We are so grateful to have her in our lives.

Hanging out with his Tia and cousins at my parents' house.  As you can see, everyone is wiped out from the delicious meal.