Preparations for Christmas!

Addi is so excited for Christmas this year! She is learning the songs, and reading stories and constantly telling me what I need to tell Santa! I decided to make the most of the season and get an Advent Calendar. Everyday in December we are going to do something special to celebrate Christmas..... decorating our tree, going to see Santa, going to Disneyland, watching holiday movies and reading Holiday books and also a Charity project! I want Addi to completely enjoy this season, as well as learn the true meaning of Christmas.

Today, I had Addi go through all her toys to "make room for new ones from Santa". I told her she needs to give her toys she doesn't play with to girls and boys that don't have any toys. I really thought that she'd fight me on giving away anything or maybe only pick one or two things! I was so suprised to fill two garbage bags, plus a container full of great toys for other children! My daughter is such a sweetheart and I hope she keeps that quality throughout her entire life!



Addi's First Sleepover!

Addi has become very good friends with one of the little girls at school! They love all the same things and play together, it's been a lot of fun! (Ella's mom is a teacher at Addi's school, and is a single mom, so while the girls play the mommy's can chat!)

Ella came over to our house and had dinner and a slumber party!

 It always looks like a princess party at our house! Good thing Ella likes them too!

 The girls were so cute sleeping together! Addi must really love Ella to share her princess dolls, especially Aurora!

They only stayed up an hour later than usual and then I heard them whispering for a little while, before they both slept all night! All-in-all it was a great first sleepover.

I can't believe my little girl is so grown up! 

As time flies by...

I've spent the past few days really thinking about how fast time flies. I feel like this past year  has been so crazy and hectic and when I look back on time I can't believe how fast Addi's childhood is flying by. My little girl is almost four. It literally only feels like a few short months ago that I was sitting in a hospital in Murray, UT hoping that I would be a good enough mom to this sweet little baby.

Thankfully, we moved to California and Addi is getting to grow up around my whole family, great friends and have plenty of time to play with her mom!

I can't believe how much she has changed, how fast she grows, or how precious these years have been to me. She is such an angel and it is my hope for her that she has a happy and loved childhood.

I often think of what I would give to keep her so precious, sweet and innocent. I wish I could savour every moment of every day like she does. I hope that she still has many days ahead of simply worrying about why the sun goes to bed or who paints the rainbows in the sky.

This little girl is such a blessing in my life. She is so sweet and loving.

Addi, you will always be my "boo-boos"

No matter how old you get, where you go in life, or what you become I will always love you. I can't wait to see you grow and achieve everything that you could ever imagine wanting.

"For most of us, dreams come true only after they do not matter, Only in childhood do we ever have the chance of making dreams come true when they mean everything."

Vacation Time at Home!

I decided after 10 long months of working it was time to take a week off that was just for me! I'm so glad that my friend, Alyssa, could come down from Utah with her boys to hang out with us. We got to go to the Beach!

It was a little cold but definitely fun!!!

 We spent a day with them at Disneyland! Addi and Luke got to hang out while the adults went on the "big kid" rides! I see engagement photos :)

 Of course Addi met all the Princesses and even got her Halloween costume!

 We celebrated Luke's 3rd birthday! It was such a blast!

 And ended our trip in Sea World! It was so much fun! The kids got to feed the Sea Lions!

 Then, in preparation for Halloween we went to a pumpkin patch!

 Addi is so beautiful! I can't believe how big she is getting and how much more I love her everyday.

 Addi's school had a "Fall Festival" with fun games, trick-or-treating and costumes! It was fun to see her play with all her friends!

 And of course, the main event, Halloween! My little princess! She is so beautiful and such an angel. I love this age where her imagination and creativity is in full force! She is always singing me little songs she makes up and loves princesses more than anything.

It is such a blessing to have such amazing friends and a beautiful little girl. I'm so grateful that I have the opportunity to do fun things with her and watch her grow in the world. She is such a blessing and such a joy in my life! 

Harrison's in Town

My sister Shelly came into town from Kentucky last week with her kids. It is always so much fun to see them. It sucks that they only come once a year. It was great to see Addi play with all the kids. I can't believe how big everyone is getting. (yet I don't ever age :)

Long Beach Pier

Touching a Sting Ray

It was so fun to have them in town. I wish that they lived closer. It was even more fun that I could take time off work and hang out with them. :)

My Sept 15th deadline is over! Thank goodness! Working these long hours is ROUGH! I really hope that things slow down for a little while so I can enjoy the fall and the holidays with Addi. Our next big adventure will be next month. Alyssa is coming down to go to Disneyland with us and then we're heading up to SLC. It'll be good to see everyone after a year has passed since we last visited.

Despicable Me: A Must See

I spent the entire day last Saturday with Addi. We cleaned our apartment, ran errands, she even went with me for a little mani/pedi (the ladies love her, so they do hers for like $10) Then we went to see this movie. I was actually not looking forward to it cause I thought it would be one of those stupid not-so-funny kid movies that I go to all the time, but it wasn't. It was hilarious and a very good story. It was very touching and I think my favorite scene delt with him reading to the little girls because it's exactly how I feel. If you haven't seen it yet- GO. I don't care if you have kids or not, it was so cute.

Reading "3 Little Kittens"

Roller coaster with the girls...
Anyway- needless to say, my daughter is awesome and we had a great time. This "lonely" thing and focusing on just me and Addi is actually quite fun :)

Guess who's coming back

Hey Everyone! I guess that I'm back at it again with blogging! I feel like we've really had nothing going on but then I look at my last blog and realize that since then we've moved, Addi's started preschool I started a job, and my sister got married! So I guess it is time to update this thing more often!

Here are some pictures from recent events.... ENJOY!

Addi and Oakley (My sister's first dog)

My sister's wedding

Can't Believe It!

Addi is three! I can't even believe it... time is flying by so fast. We had a mellow day on her birthday and just ordered pizza and opened presents! Then, we had a birthday party with all her friends on Saturday! She had a great time and got super spoiled! I love Addi! She is so special and so adorable!

Waking up to a cupcake :)

Opening presents with friends!