Almost a new year.........

I got to see my old buddy Jasmine. It was so great to hang out with her and her husband. We met up with them at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. Very fancy shopping center. It was nice to catch up with her since she lives in Utah.

Christmas day!

Christmas Day was so fun. As soon as Brooklind figured out what was going on when she woke up Christmas morning, she was way into it. Santa did come! She got her American girl Bitty baby doll, Weeble tree house, Yo Gabba Gabba mega blocks boombox, and clothes. It was really fun to have her open her own gifts this year.

It was so nice because we got to have my mother in law Natalie with us on Christmas eve and Christmas morning. It was fun to have her with us.

After opening up all the presents we got ourselves ready for church. We had a nice relaxing time there. Brooklind was so tired from earlier that she fell asleep during church.
After we got back we had to say our goodbyes to Natalie and head over to my brother Scots for Christmas dinner and more presents. We had a yummy dinner and got some fun stuff. It was an awesome Christmas! I love that I can live through my kid during the holidays now!!!!!!!! So much more fun!!

Brooklind got the travel carrier for her Bitty baby from her grandparents.
Jessica and Chad (my niece & nephew) got the Bitty twins from American girl. So as a joint gift we got them the trundle bed for the dolls.

Christmas Eve

We spent Christmas eve with the Cuarentas (Stephens sister and brother in law). We decided to meet up at Chuck-e-cheeses because we figured it would not be very busy and that way we could hang out and let the kids all run around.
Brooklind had a blast with her cousins! She especially loved eating the pizza.

Later that day we had my parents and brother over for Christmas eve dinner. I made homemade mashed potatoes, ham, and rolls. It was yummy. For the appetizers I made pigs in a blanket. So yummy! I made them with my homemade bbq sauce too.

Disney on Ice - Toy Story

We took Brooklind to her first Disney on ice show. It was totally good. It was at the Honda Center in Anaheim. Two hours was a little too long for an almost 2 year old. But she was clapping and pointing and totally enjoying it.

Waiting for the show to start

Our first show as a family. So much fun! Brooklind is going to be so into Christmas this year. Cannot wait 3 more days

Sunday Before Christmas

After church Sunday Dec 18.

After church as a family

Brooklind got a prize from nursery - bubbles

Seeing Santa and Decorating

We went with my parents to the Grove in LA. I had never been there. It was so cool. As my dad says: " he feels like hes walking down main street at Disneyland". We got to check out the American girl store and eat at farmers market.

Brooklind got to see Santa too. She did not like that experience very much. I took her to the Santa at a church activity also and she did not want to sit on him lap. She would just blow him kisses from afar.

Brooklind and I setup the tree the day after Thanksgiving. She loved when I turned on the lights.
We went to look at the Christmas lights one evening and Brooklind LOVED it! One house had a huge santa where you could take pictures by it. She would not sit there by herself so I sat with her.

Thanksgiving Day 2011

We had Thanksgiving dinner at my brother Scots in Torrance. I was in charge of making the mashed potatoes and rolls. They were both really good. I was proud because this was the first week I was finally able to make rolls RIGHT. So guess whos in charge of them for Christmas?? ME

I am so glad that my niece Jessica wore the "you turkey" t-shirt. She will carry on the tradition. My dad has had that shirt since his mission. I have been stuck with wearing it since I was about 12. I finally don't fit in it.

All the food was so yummy. Brooklind ate everything on her plate. She loved the potatoes and turkey the most.

Halloween Night 2011

Brooklind was Snow white! It was so funny to see her in the black wig. She would only leave it on for pictures, at least we got that.

This is Brooklind with her cousins Jessica and Chad. We went to my brothers in Torrance to take Brooklind trick or treating so she could go with her cousins. She loved it. The next day she was so tired from all the walking. She did good on candy, but the problem is guess whos eating it all??? Mommy and Daddy!!!

Everytime Brooklind would go up to a house the people giving out candy were like " awwww she is so adorable, shes so cute she gets extra candy". She also wanted to walk inside of everyones homes, especially the ones that had "doggies".

Trunk of Treat @ Church

We were Snow White and the evil witch. My costume was so heavy and so warm that I ended up not wearing it at all! Brooklind would not wear her wig so I eneded up wearing it, but it went good with my spider halloween shirt.

We are ALL ready to go trunk or treating at the church now. It was so fun so see everyone from our ward dressed up too.

"who is this next to me" (Brooklind is thinking) - haha

Brooklind got to trick or treat with kids closer to her age which was more fun for her.

We were watching a huge group perform the dance to "Thriller" - it was awesome!!

Awwwww....look at all the candy! She was excited!!