Christmas Morning

Each year as Lyla gets older Christmas gets more fun. We had a blast this year and really enjoyed watching the kids open presents.

Picture of the tree just before going to bed on Christmas Eve

 As the Green tradition goes we did the stockings first. Lyla handed them all out to everyone and was being super cute.

 The big gift for Lyla this year was a power wheels car. She came down the big staircase and her mouth dropped open and she said "Mom, is that a CAR?!" She was super excited and got in it right away and opened most of her presents while sitting in it. She loved it and didn't even know that it drove yet! 

Lyla got out for a minute and Mac made sure to take over

 New sparkly pink shoes. They are still a little big, but she was pretty proud of them

 Mac got a "ball pit" and it wasn't blown up yet so I just let him play in the box of balls

 Davis gave both the kids huge stuffed animals. Mac got the monkey and Lyla got the big dog shown in the picture below. They both really love sift stuffed animals and both laid down on them and cuddled right away

I gave Josh a new phone and he gave me tickets to Shania Twain in Las Vegas. I also got a Silhouette Cameo that cuts out paper, fabric etc. from Josh's parents. We were definitely spoiled and had a great Christmas with the Green's.

 McKay playing in the wrapping paper after everyone was done opening presents

 After breakfast we headed outside to test out the car. Lyla was a little nervous at first and wasn't so sure about driving and steering at the same time. She wanted to get out and wasn't too excited about the whole driving thing. After a few minutes I suggested Mac wanted a ride and asked if she would give him one and she perked right up and never wanted to stop driving after that.

 Mac trying to take the wheel, haha. I'm not sure which kid loved it more

 Lyla decided Mac was scared after a few minutes(which he wasn't at all) and told him "Its ok Mac, I'll hold onto you" and put her arm around him. It was the cutest thing I've ever seen

That afternoon we went over to Aunt Evelyn's house and had Christmas dinner. We got to talk to Tyler while we were there and it was a lot of fun getting to hear his voice. We got to talk to him on Skype so we also got to see him and his new glasses which was a big change. He seems to be doing well and is happy and healthy. 

We really loved being all together and enjoying Christmas.

Christmas Eve

 We started the day off by going up to Grandma and Grandpa Green's house. We had lunch, opened presents and talked with the cousins. It was fun being up there in the wilderness and enjoying Grandmas house.

 That evening we drove straight over to JJ's house for Christmas Eve dinner with the Roskelley's. We loved getting to see the CA 'tives that we don't see too often. It was a smaller group though because many of Carolyn's kids were at their in-laws. We did score and get the newlyweds though (Allie and Dave) and they starred in the nativity play since all the other little kids were gone.

GG playing with Mac. Everyone enjoyed this little happy munchkin

 Hangin with Uncle Jason

I know the play is kind of old news to the family who has done it 30 years now, but it was Lyla's first time and I LOVED watching it. I was surprised Lyla even decided to participate and kept the towel on her head most of the time! They were adorable, and even Mac starred in it at the end as a wandering shepherd. So cute

Pre-Christmas with the Roskelley's

 The weekend before Christmas we went up to my parents to open presents and have a Christmas dinner together. The kids had fun playing with each other and their new toys. It was nice spending time together and enjoying food and presents.

 Lyla's new wagon with blocks inside

 In preparation for both of our trips to Hawaii mom and dad got us neck pillows for the long flight

 Wally got mom and dad a new disco ball for the dance room

Visit to Santa

 We went to see Santa and ride the carousel at the mall tonight. It of course was an insane line to see Santa since it was so close to Christmas, but it was fun anyway. Lyla was happy to see him and Mac could have cared less and just laid back and enjoyed the comfiness of a big belly. Although Lyla isn't too excited in this picture she talked about seeing Santa for the next week.

 There is a carousel in the mall so we took a ride together

 

10/11 Months

Life got crazy around Mac turning 10 months I guess and I forgot to post! So I'll just combine it with 11.

-Wears some 9 month clothes still, but mostly 12 months
-Size 3 diapers still, but can fit into 4 if he needs to, and will probably move him up soon
-Crusin the couch faster and faster
-Stood up without assistance for the first time today, but only for a few seconds
-Broke the top 2 teeth and are just growing in
-Says mama and dada, but not sure if its towards us or not yet
-Eats tons of table food, and just about everything we put on his tray but loves bananas and peas
-Takes 2 naps a day, about 2 hours each
-Loves to be held and would be happy all day if I just held him
-Super happy and loves everyone, hasn't ever had stranger danger and is fine when we leave him with other people
-Is super ticklish, especially in his neck
-Bath time is the best and makes him happy no matter what
-Starting to learn how to wave
-Talks, shrieks and babbles all day and can get SUPER loud at times
-Learned how to crawl up the stairs and every few he stops and looks back and smiles like "mom, do you see how big i am right now?!"
-Loves his bottle
-Can sometimes be a little sensitive when he gets hurt and cries for longer than necessary and clenches onto my shoulders and lays his head down on my shoulder and just sobs
-He dances when music comes on

Temple Square

Gingerbread Houses

I love all activities that have to do with Christmas. So we are packing them in since we lost a week of December while we were at Disneyland. We got together on Sunday to make gingerbread houses with the Onofrios. I think the adults had more fun doing the decorating. The kids were just mad we wouldn't let them eat handfuls of candy

 The Onofrio's finished house, love the little pathway up to the door

 Our finished product. So cute

Decorating the Christmas Tree

 Getting a live tree for Christmas every year is one of my favorite traditions. I love it. We got one on Saturday and then decorated it Sunday morning before church.

 Putting the star up

 So carefully helping place each ornament

 The finished product. Can you tell where Lyla's favorite spot was?

Mac was napping when we decorated the tree, so I decided to add a picture of his adorableness looking out the window and checking out the lights on our window

Disneyland 2012

Picture overload of Disneyland, but I wanted to capture all of the fun moments that we had there. We had so much fun and it was an exhausting but was a great trip with many memories made! 

We drove all day on Sunday and got to the hotel about the same time as Wally's family and my parents. The kids immediately ran around and played in the rooms (ours was connected to Wally's) and got all the wiggles out from a long drive.

                    Showing off their Mickey's, getting all excited to see the real thing the next day

Fantasy land was first with all the small kid rides. 

Here is Dad and Lyla on one of my favorites, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride

Lyla loved the Dumbo ride. She hasn't ever even seen the movie but requested to go on it again later that day, so we went on it twice.

Crew and Lyla had fun together in the lines chasing each other, giggling and playing

Got to check out the new Star Tours ride, now in 3D

Mac was able to ride a lot of the rides, when he was awake anyway, and showed no fear or worry about any of them!

Nemo ride. Lyla still talks about this one almost daily

Nothing like a MICKEY sucker. When I pulled it out after a ride, she got a huge smile and was so excited to have it

The parades were awesome. In this picture Lyla is waving to Woody from Toy Story. She was so excited to see all of the characters go by and had to shout and wave to all the ones she recognized

With her regular schedule she takes 2-3 hour naps, but we just played hard and didn't take any naps, so at about 8pm she just fell asleep ON the haunted mansion ride. Papa carried her off the ride.

Watched the fireworks the first night. Hard to see because of the tree, but the castle was SO cool all lit up for Christmas. And it starting "snowing" towards the end of the show. It was blowing fake snow out from the lights up above and was truly magical.

On the way out. Disneyland decorated for Christmas was awesome

Day 2: California Adventure

The new "Cars" ride. Its over an hour and a half average wait time without a Fast Pass, whew! We did get the pass though that morning.

That night was the World of Color show which was absolutely amazing. Disneyland does not sell short on their shows.

Day 3: Back to Dland and a little bit more of California that evening

Mac was amazing, as usual. He took several naps a day in the stroller and when he was awake he was happy and content with whatever we carted him around to do. What a sweetie

Jungle Boat ride

Papa was an amazing Mac-watcher and took such good care of him

Winnie the Pooh ride. Love the 2 cousins together in the front

She walked right up and at first Minnie wasn't looking at her so she said "Hey! Minnie!" and then just stared at her and was beaming with happiness to see her. At the end she quickly bent down and just had to touch her shoes.

Pooped out on the last day, she fell asleep just after dinner

The ride home. Whew! Both kids were pooped, but Lyla loves to talk about it and we can't wait to go again next year

Her special Minnie sucker for the ride home