The Innkeeper and the Shepherd

We had our program at preschool last week. Susanna was the innkeeper in all three performances. Her gruff little voice was perfect. Kerrie was a shepherd in two performances and a wiseman in one. She was awesome.

What a sweet Nativity scene.

First Snow

We had our first good snowfall about two weeks ago. The little girls were having a great time helping Brad shovel the driveway until he threw snow on them. You can see Susanna pouting on the porch in the background.

Kerrie was quick to forgive and get back to work.

Thanksgiving Day - Finally!

Thanksgiving Day was our final full day of vacation. We spent it at Disneyland.

Visiting with 'Mater.

A little posing.

We had dinner at the Disneyland Hotel. One of the fun things with this venue for dinner is the opportunity to take pictures with the characters.

We ended up using a picture we took with Minnie Mouse for our Christmas card.

They had this cute Christmas scene set up right outside the dining room.

The dinner was awesome.

One of the lovely buffet tables behind Hannah.

Lizzie feeding her cute little face.

They had special buffet tables set up with kid friendly food. It was a hit.

Yes, that is Minnie Mouse behind Kiley. We had a great time on vacation. We can't wait to do it again soon.

More Fun in California

I did a lousy job of taking pictures on the second day in Disneyland. We had a great time though. This is what the backseat of the car looked like on the way home.

On Wednesday we went to Knott's Berry Farm. They had more thrill rides. Brad and the four older girls went on this one. I thought it looked too scary, but they said it really wasn't. If you click on the picture you should be able to pick everyone out. Lizzie is sitting next to Brad. The scariest looking ride was closed and everyone was disappointed.

Relaxing with a cool drink.

They had a cute Peanuts themed kids area.

The Red Baron

Mom and Kerrie took a picture with Snoopy while the bigger kids went on crazy rides.

Disneyland

The first morning we were in Disneyland we headed straight to Pixie Hollow. Two very small girls had been talking about visiting Tinkerbell's house for quite some time. Susanna actually used to call her "tickle bear" and we couldn't figure out who she was talking about. Pixie Hollow was not high on the older sisters' list of attractions, but they were good sports.

Teacups are the first ride everyone (but mom- I didn't feel good the rest of the day the first time we rode them) goes on.

Daddy works hard to make it spin. Kerrie's face is so cute to me in this picture.

Notice the short sleeves and tank tops. The weather was glorious.

Kiley had to do the heavy work in this cup.

Mom, Kiley, Hannah and Paige went on Splash Mountain. Notice the briar patch in the background.

Riding in our log. Kiley was the only one who got noticibly wet.

Thunder Mountain Railroad was a big hit. Susanna was scared the first time (even shed a little tear) but went back every time the big girls and Dad rode it.

Later that day we went to California Adventures thinking it may be a little less crowded. The girls LOVE this ride, California Screaming. Lizzie vowed if she was big enough this year she would ride this huge roller coaster. I thought she might chicken out.

She is no chicken!!! I lost count of how many times they went on this ride.

While the big girls rode the roller coaster (over and over again), Kerrie and Susanna enjoyed the neighboring merry-go-round.

They also met Jessie the Cowgirl. Kerrie became obsessed with her. We ended up buying a Jessie the Cowgirl baby for her Disneyland souvenir.

One of our other favorite rides at California Adventures is the river ride.

Notice how dry we were at the beginning. We always make bets on who is going to get drenched each ride.

Take a wild guess who it was this time.

Sunday Evening on the Beach

We flew to Southern California last Sunday. After a great lunch at Maggiano's and a stop to buy a stroller (for Disneyland), we finally made it to our condo in Newport Beach. After unloading the car, the girls all wanted to head to the beach. Crystal Cove Beach is beautiful. We got there about 20 minutes before it closed for the night. We had to hurry down the path to get to the beach so the girls could run around for a few minutes.

What a gorgeous sunset.

Thankful for Music

Paige was in the third grade Thanksgiving music program on Thursday.

She played the drum in one of the songs. It sounded very cool.

Singing her heart out.

Heading off to school that morning.

Fabulous Five Year Old

This beautiful girl turned five years old today.

Yesterday we had a Tinker Bell party with all of her girl friends from preschool. They watched the new Tinker Bell movie and decorated party hats.

Kiley and Hannah made and decorated a beautiful (and delicious) cake.

Cute girls!

This morning she woke up to family gifts waiting on the kitchen counter. She opened one after breakfast and patiently waited until after dinner to open the rest. She chose sausages, eggs and rice for breakfast. Grandma and Grandpa Dildine and Uncle Junyo (Jimmy) came over this afternoon for Costa Vida burritos and Chocolate Eclair Cake.

Happy Birthday Susanna!

Just a Week Late

This what our front porch looked like on Halloween. Brad and the girls carved their jack-o-lanterns in the afternoon.

We had our friends, the Wilhites, over for dinner.

Julie and I put together a ghoulish meal.

The gang ready for trick or treating.

Lizzie went as a diva.

An extra shot for you Melissa.

Paige was a hippie.

Susanna was a cuddly lady bug.

Kerrie was a cozy little dog.

Hannah hammed it up as a naughty baby.

Kiley went out with out with her friends. She was an 80's aerobic instructor.

The younger crowd practiced at our door before heading out into the neighborhood.

A fun time was had by all.