Holidays

Since we're already here in March you may be asking yourself, 'What holidays?' And the answer would be, well, all of them.  I realize no one has been sitting around holding their breath to see if we put raisins in the stuffing this year (we did, of course) but I'd still like to look back on this blog and see some pics of the little things, like her first Christmas and all. Since my memory is chaulk full of more important things, like where my keys are and the last time she pood, this seems like the safest place to keep those memories. Or post pictures of them at least.

Turkey Day!

As I mentioned earlier our road trip up to Santa Maria started with a bang by shaving off a solid 4.5 years of my life with the worst accident any of us had ever been in, putting the poor Subie out of commission for over a month.   But once we made it up there we had a great time with both sets of Gparents and cousin Dom and the Salcidos. While back on the CC we decided to take Dubbie to check out all of the sights in the motherland with a first stop at Avila Valley Barn.  Where else can you pick up a pumpkin, pet a goat AND have your bridesmaids luncheon? She bonded quickly with the goats and had a staring contest with the llamas so all in all it was a successful first visit.



Mark got ice cream - surprise.

 

 

Next stop was the scene of the crime (aka wedding reception). She was a little less sentimental to be visit 'ole Seacrest than Mark and I but she loved watching the waves down at the beach.


She looks like Mark did on our wedding day.



Happy as a Pismo clam.

As a bonus to the weekend we got a drive by visit from the Greenwood family that was on their way back north after a weekend in SoCal.

 

In the British sense, I guess you could call our little mid December stay at the beach cottage 'a holiday' while our house was being remodeled, but it felt more like an exodus while we bounced from place to palce. But since the British don't see weather like this (ever) I think it qualifies.

Midway through our exodus Aunt Seal made an appearance on the mainland and to no one's surprise she and Makenna became fast friends (she has always been fond of sea life). She stayed with my parents at their own beach rental until we could get back into the house before Operation Christmas 2013 could commence.

Goose and Seal

The festivities kicked off with the neighborhood Christmas parade right in front of our house. Mark didn't bust out his old Santa suit and rollerblades this year (oh yeah, that happened) but maybe he'll make an appearance in the coming years.

 

A motley Christmas crew

While abbreviated, we packed enough Christmas cheer into our 4 day season to last us another year. One of the perks of getting a late start was we got a killer deal on a 9ft tree and we made the most of our time around it. Mark was quite proud to show his little girl his train (he received one car every year until he was 18) and to his delight Makenna was a HUGE fan and only derailed it half a dozen times.

Annisette plus festive attire = happy uncles.

 

 

 

Mr. Snowman reincarnated

 

 

 

The favorite gift was the second edition of Mr. Snowman, a litght up bobbly guy we picked up at Avila Valley but lost his glow (and head) in a baby induced accident. Luckily his cousin showed up in her stocking and saved the day.

Very thankful for a happy Christmas in our new home!