Cali- Morning at James and Tina’s

I’m sure that all the pictures from my California trip will have to be spread out over several posts.  So we will start with this. 

I went to California from November 19th- December 3rd.  I flew out with my sister, Meg, and she stayed from the 19th through the 23rd.  I dropped her at the airport and picked up James who stayed until the 3rd.  So the first half of the trip with stayed with my brother’s fiancé Liz and saw my family (both of my brothers are stationed there) which lives south of LA by about 2 hours- or 8 hours if you count in traffic.  And then the second half, James and I stayed with his Grandma in Camarillo which is about an hour north of LA.  It was a great trip.  I was super tired by the end and pretty much ready to be home.  Could have had something to do with the fact that Ben didn’t sleep past 6 am until the last day.  But now that I have been home for a few months and it is super cold and snowy and my mom is sending me beautiful pictures from out there--- well I think I’m ready to go back. 

 

So James and Tina had us over for breakfast.  And James made the most yummy pancakes- PUMPKIN WITH CHOCOLATE CHIPS.  I’m still needing the recipe.  So these pictures are from that morning.

Liz with Ben

Ben being carried in his favorite position- a sack-o-tators hold as we like to call it. 

James slaving away over our yummy breakfast.

The girls enjoying themselves.  Alex is Liz’s daughter and the whole trip Sariah called her “that girl.”  She knew her name because if you asked her who “that girl” was then she would say Alex.  But she still kept saying- where’s that girl or I like that girl or I want to play with that girl.  It was super funny!

Ben and James veggin out at the TV

The famous Lucy

Sariah decided to be brave and play with Lucy and her tug.  It was pretty cute.  And of course Lucy won. 

Benjamin Turns 1

We celebrated Ben’s birthday early, as he was in CA on his actual birthday.  But he didn’t seem to mind having an early party.

Yummy Cake!

Hanging out with his awesome Aunt Meme.

Playing with some super cool balloon swords. 

Opening presents.

Sissy helping me with my new book.

Family and friends over.

Who is this weird girl… oh yeah cool Jessi- she’s the best!

Time for the cake.

Thanks sis for helping blow out the candle.

Chillin with Uncle Matt.

My buddy Seth…well he likes to jump on me and hold me down but someday we will be best buds.

Ahh cake at last…

Wait it is all gone?? I know I am the one who knocked it on the floor, but I want more.

More cake- that is more like it.

All cleaned up.  Time to do my favorite thing and read a book with Nana.

 

Happy birthday to my little man.  Time goes by so fast.  You can say Dada, you can crawl faster than mom can get to you, you love to pull sissy’s hair and laugh when mom says no. But best of all you love to cuddle and be held. 

Family Photo Session

Back in November we were able to have a wonderful weather day and go take pictures at the park.  Since it was pretty impromptu, it was us and the trusty old tripod.  Which made getting Ben to look at the camera with all of us in the picture pretty much impossible.  But with some editing we got great family shots with “everyone” looking. 

But here are some of my favorites.  Okay a lot of pictures to come…