Christmas 2012

What a WONDERFUL holiday we had! It was truly unforgettable. I have to start out by saying how grateful I am that my entire family gets along so well!

Ever since my mom and Dave moved back to California early this year, I’d been planning to spend the holidays in California. This way, we would be with our whole family. I had talked to Jason about joining us too because I did not want to take AJ away from him for a week and leave him alone. I knew he could see his family too and spend some time with AJ. I was so happy when he decided to go! It worked out well because we spend some time together as a family and some time separately. I wasn’t sure how easy it would be to make it work- we had a lot of different people to work with- but it went off perfectly!

Friday, Jason flew out early in the afternoon and AJ and I went after I got off work. We got to my mom’s around 9:30pm and stayed up WAY TOO LATE- as usual :)

Saturday morning AJ and I hung out with Grandma and Papa and played until Jason came to get AJ. They had plans to go to Sea World but that didn’t work out. They ended up going to Jason’s sisters and hanging out. Jason’s nephew, Chase, is 12 and he and AJ rarely see each other. AJ was so happy to spend time with him and play video games. Saturday afternoon my mom and I got to spend some time together shopping and getting pedicures. It was a great time! It’s very rare that I get “adult time” in California because I’m always with AJ. Later that night, my Dad and Cory came down and I went over to Matt’s to spend time with them and have dinner. They are so fun to hang out with and we always laugh and joke around.

Sunday was DISNEYLAND! To be completely honest I was really quite stressed about Disney. I was so excited, but really worked at managing my expectations. I am known for having really big expectations and being disappointed. Plus, we had a large group going with! My mom, Jason, AJ, Cory, Dad and Chase all went. I was worried that people would get lost, that the lines would be WAY too long, the crowds would be overwhelming. I did not know how well AJ would do with the lines. All that being said, we had THE BEST time! We didn’t get to Disney until about 11am and after we got the stroller and stuff in lockers we hoped on the train.

We got off  the train and walked by Splash Mountain and realized there was NO LINE! It was so hard to believe! I had expected an hour line minimum on all rides, but we got SO LUCKY! We decided to get on Splash Mountain right away and it was so fun! AJ wasn’t too sure about it, but he didn’t cry. He really didn’t like the dark but he loved the actual ride. Most of us got SOAKED! My mom, Cory, and Chase were wet and cold for much of the day.

We also went on Pirates of the Caribbean which AJ wasn’t a big fan of. He sat with Pop the whole time and was pretty scared of the dark. We did the Tea Cups, Winnie the Pooh, Canoes, It’s a Small World and my personal favorite, Big Thunder Mountain. I was so excited to take AJ Thunder Mountain! I have been telling him about it for months and hoped he would love it. HE DID! I was a little freaked out because it goes REALLY fast and I had to hold tight to AJ, but he loved it!

After all the rides, we watched the beautiful Christmas parade and it was amazing! AJ loved it and it was really neat to see it with my whole family. On our way out, we stopped and got some taffy and ice cream and while walking down Main Street, they lit the tree and the castle and it began to snow! In California! It was truly a beautiful sight!

SO EXCITED!

Pop is so silly!

Love him

Waiting in line for Big Thunder Mountain

Here we go! Pop isn't so sure...

Having a little post ride snack

Tea Cups!

 

Parade Time

Churros, hot chocolate and a parade. Good stuff!

Autopia!

After the ride- AJ is happy and Grandma is soaked!

All of us! (AJ is behind me, next to Jason)

Waiting in line for Autopia

Main St.

All of us on Main St. SOOO pretty!

Pop got AJ some taffy :)

 When we left, we all agreed that it was such a fun, low stress day. Everyone got along, the weather was good, the crowds weren’t too bad and AJ was in a great mood all day. I couldn’t ask for more!

Monday was Christmas eve and we spent the morning at my Moms playing. We had planned a morning at the park, but it had been raining so we stayed home. Later that day AJ and I went to Matt & Kristin’s and hung out there with Dad & Cory. AJ and Matt went in the pool for a bit and played. Kristin had been preparing the house for a fantastic Christmas eve dinner. She is so crafty! The house was decorated beautifully. That night Mom and Dave and Jason all came over to hang out and enjoy a WONDERFUL meal. Matt & Kristin had prime rib, shrimp, mashed potatoes, salad and some delicious desserts. We let AJ open a few presents which made him very happy:)

Pop, AJ and Matt being silly!

All the guys!

Auntie Kristin, AJ and Uncle Matt

The group!

Pop, Cory, Matt & Kristin

Christmas morning was FULL of presents and fun. Santa came to Grandmas to fill our stockings but left most presents at Matt's. My mom made some yummy breakfast casseroles and we went back to Matt’s for presents. It was total chaos and fun- just as you’d expect on Christmas morning! One of Matt & Kristin’s friends and their daughter, who is 2, came over to celebrate too. It was adorable to see AJ with another little friend on Christmas. It was quite funny to see this little girl more interested in AJ’s Batman toys that her own girl toys. I was so happy to see AJ offer to let her play with anything she wanted and they had a blast together.

Matt got AJ some silly string which was a mess, but fun!




Once again AJ got far too many toys!

 

Thanks Grammy for the awesome hats!

 

 And check out with Grammy Cory made!

Broncos Hats!

Right around lunch time, Jason and AJ headed up to see Jason’s dads side of the family. His brother, Tommy, has 2 kids and AJ hasn’t seen them since he was 1. He had a blast playing with them. They stayed the night in Bakersfield. Dad & Cory headed back home and Dave, Mom and I went to see a movie.

Wednesday I was lucky enough to see my great friend Shelly for coffee. We try to get together when I come out, but it doesn’t always happen. And it’s RARE that we catch up without kids! We had such a great time talking for hours. I miss her so much! That night Grandma and Papa got to spend more time with AJ playing toys and doing anything AJ wanted to do- haha- and Jason and I went out to a really nice dinner in San Clemente. We had a great time talking about AJ, our trip and just enjoying a lovely crab feast dinner at Fishermans.

Thursday, we were all exhausted and headed home. It was such a fantastic trip! I keep saying this, but I would not have changed one thing. Everyone got along so well. Everyone got to spend a good amount of time with AJ and it all seemed pretty easy. I am forever grateful for such a wonderful holiday with our family!

Skiing!

Yesterday I took AJ skiing for our first run of the season. I plan to get him in lessons this year, but I wanted to first get him up with me and get him comfortable. My only hope is that we could get on the lift once and that he would enjoy himself. We made a deal that if either of us fell, we would laugh at each other. He was totally into that.

I had hoped to get an early start because I assume traffic would be rough, but of course that did not happen. I let AJ sleep in his long johns and he thought that was funny :)

We didn't get out the door till almost 7:45 and had a 90 minute (or longer) drive ahead of us. I packed coffee, toys, snacks and of course his iPad for the ride. Thankfully there was no traffic and we were at Loveland by 9:15am. I was a little worried about how I was going to get this all done alone. Skiing requires A LOT of gear and AJ wouldn't be much help carrying it. Jackets, helmet, his skis and boots, goggles, gloves, food, etc... It's A LOT!

The place wasn't totally packed so we were able to get mostly dressed in the car and easily walk to the lodge to get my skis. I decided to jump right in and get AJ on the lift. I wasn't totally sure how it would work out, but we were doing it. And it was AWESOME!

Ready to hit the slopes!

Love him!



Here we go!




He totally rocked it!


AJ did so well! And he loved it! We did 4 runs and most of the time he was in between my legs. I tried to get him comfortable and to find his balance. He was a little nervous when I wasn't holding him- but he did so well. We never fell getting on or off the chairlift- one of my worries. They slowed it down for us a few times to help. He loved being on the chair and watching other people ski below.

We had lunch and then decided to head back out for 2 more runs. I got him this little harness he could wear that allowed me to hold onto him a little better and it made it easier on my back. I could easily pick him up if he fell and control him a little better.



I told AJ how proud I was of him so many times that I think he got sick of hearing it! Can't wait for our next day up on the mountain!

Georgetown Loop Railroad with Santa!

 

Yesterday, Jason, AJ and I drove up to Georgetown to take a train ride with Santa! It was such a fun day :) I had heard of this fun adventure before- some friends of mine do it each year- but this was our first time. As you can see, it was COLD! Georgetown is about 90 minutes away- in the mountains. It's this adorable tiny town and was all decorated with lights and other Christmas decorations. Santa and his helpers were on the train and took pictures with each child. He talked to each child individually, asked them what they want for Christmas, gave them little gifts and Mrs. Claus passed out cookies and hot chocolate along our 1 hour ride. It was great! After, we all went out to this awesome pizza place- Beau Jo's. It's a famous pizza place and when our pizza arrived we knew why! DELICIOUS!

 

Just arrived at the train station

Waiting for our train

Standing in line with hot chocolate- YUM! (He went thru 3 of these)

On the train with Daddy

AND Mommy!

We got to take a picture with Santa!

Cuteness

Holy Cow it was cold! But so pretty

AJ told Santa what he wanted for Christmas.. Battleship, Imaginext and Legos :)

The beautiful train station



Mrs. Claus

Goofing around with Dad after our train ride

Us 3 :) Love that kid!

Denver Zoo Lights

Last night- the coldest night we've had all season- we decided to pack up and head to the Denver Zoo Lights. Every year they put thousands of lights around the zoo in shapes of animals and people pack up their kids in every bit of warm clothing they own and head out to walk around, drink hot chocolate and freeze for a few hours. It's actually quite fun! The place was PACKED and the lines were LONG, but it was a blast! We made hot chocolate and brought lots of extra marshmallows and snacks. We walked around for a few hours- AJ was lucky enough to ride in the wagon and be covered in a blanket. A very fun way to celebrate the holiday season :)

Waiting in line (with his 2nd of 5 cups of hot chocolate!)

Checking out the amazing spider web!

All bundled up and happy!

2012 Christmas Tree!

Here is our tree! I had planned to get a much smaller one but...

Perry the Elf!

AJ loves his Elf on the Shelf! Last year, he named our elf Buddy. But this year, AJ decided to change his name. So, I’d like to introduce Perry the Elf! He showed up a few nights ago. That sneaky elf showed up in AJ’s room and was sitting on his guitar! He also left his book on AJ’s bed. I’m going to try to take their picture each night when Perry comes back.

Day One! So excited that he finally arrived this year!

Day 2- He was hiding in our Thankful wreath!

That silly elf was hiding in AJ's shoes.. which were on the counter!



That guy was hiding on our TV!

Day 9- silly boy! The smile is because he is standing on the arm of the couch- he thinks he's being sneaky :)

 

Day 15

 

Castle Rock Star Lighting 2012

We look forward to the star lighting every year! It's always so much fun :) This year we decided to do it as a family- Jason and I get along so well anyway and AJ loves when we're all together. We went with our good friends the Zambrano family. It was awesome!

We were lucky enough to have really nice weather! The sun was out and it was warm for the most part. In fact everyone was walking around talking about how nice the weather was. We got there around 3:30 and the kids got to do a bunch of crafts, eat a ton of candy, and went down a blow up slide. They had a blast just hanging out together and playing. I always love this night because it makes Castle Rock feel very "small town". We see neighbors and friends as we walk thru the closed down streets checking out the vendors. They lit the star around 5:30 and then after had an awesome firework show- since we didn't have fireworks in July due to all of our fires.

After we all went back to Jason's for pizza and more fun play time for the kids. Here's a few pics.



The boys- the sun was down and it was getting a bit chillier




Us 3 :)



AJ, Kellyn and Braylon