Christmas eve and morning

Christmas was wonderful. Having a baby that is turning into a toddler (gulp) makes it so much more fun.

Christmas Eve we headed down to Richmond to see Danny's mom's side of the family. I love visits there. Very big family and so much love, they have made me feel like family since the moment i meet them all. Anyways.... We barbecued and hung around the house all morning. Then around two the rest of the aunts, and cousins showed up for dinner and presents.

Penny relaxing in her cousins big girl chair

Playing tea party with her cousins

Penny ate most the tea party food. I think its was her favorite part.

Christmas Day we spent the morning at our house just lounging and playing with our new toys. In the afternoon we headed next door to have dinner at my parents house with my aunt and uncle. 

Playing with magnets at  the Grandparents house

Grandma lets her play with everything

My Grandmothers beautiful Christmas china (can't wait till its mine)

Fabulous gifts from Auntie and Uncle. Danny looks like Clint Eastwood

And of course the day after Christmas shot. Tired and ready to flop

Goodies and gifts

 Every year I receive some wonderfully thoughtful things from the parents and grandparents of the preschool kids. This year was no exception from a couples massage to homemade spiced kaluha. I'm so thankful to be thought of so well.
This year as some Christmas goodies I'm whipping up some Christmas popcorn and peanut butterballs for Danny's coworkers and employees as well as some extra to take down to Richmond for the family. Christmas is here and we can only enjoy what it brings.

Quick pics; Mid December edition

Helping decorate the tree

These lower ornaments have since been moved upward due to prying hands

Snow! We got a few inches.

Daddy and Daughters footprints in the snow

She loved eating it, bare handed and all. But she won't take bites of my ice cream.

O Christmas Tree

We went and picked out our tree yesterday. Hooray! Having a kid sure makes us stay on top of things like getting a tree early enough to enjoy it for a few weeks. And luckily I vacuum almost everyday anyway that the constant sucking up of dropped needles won't be a bother. This is the first time in the 5 Christmas' that Danny and I have gotten a cut tree. Thanks Home Depot for a good selection and nice area for Penny to run around in. She was smiling from ear to ear in the crisp air while we picked a winner.

1st Zoo Trip & Fairytale Town

  Even with the itch of a new TV, we skipped out on black Friday shopping and headed to the Zoo with some friends. Couldn't have asked for better weather. Our zoo is small but it is perfect for some first timers. 

Penny and her little friend Alicia at our first stop, the Flamingos.

There are Giraffes and zebras some lions, tigers and leopards. But there are no hippos and No Elephants. Bummer for us. but it was cool to watch the lemurs and the river otters. and just watching Penny stare at something she had never seen was so entertaining. 

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Excuse the sunlight, but check out the Giraffe ilegs

With Dad watching Orangutans 

After the zoo we headed a cross the street to Fairytale Town. A cool place for Penny to practice her walking skills. It is a cute place for 3-7 year olds to read mother goose rhymes while running the crooked mile or feeding the farm animals. She was having a blast and i cant wait to take her back again.

Grabbing the ornaments off the tree 

Peaking to see the goats

Her Royal Throne

 

Happy Thanksgiving

Our thanksgiving was wonderful. To be able to spend it with the people I love the most is what makes it so nice.
Wednesday we headed to grandpa Ricky's house for a feast for family and business employees. Danny and his brother Dakota Started the turkey while Penny and I were on our way home from work. We made it over and started mashing potatoes and sticking sides in the oven. For a first time turkey artist danny did a wonderful job and all the food was delicious.

She loves to feast

For Thursday we stayed home and watched some football and the parade. We headed next door to my mom and dads for a little 'non traditional' Thanksgiving meal. Tri-tip, baked potatoes,bacon wrapped green beans and stuffing. Memosa's made for a good drink and topped off with pumpkin pie. A These days sure do remind this momma just how lucky she is and how much i have to be thankful for. 

Boy she sure drank her cider fast.

Christmas creepin'

Yes , it is three days till Thanksgiving and since there is no dinner hosting here Christmas is creeping around our house. I've bough ten a few new pieces and also made some decorations. All in all I love the feeling of the holidays and all the beautiful things that come with it. Just the beginning around here

1 year check up

Age 1 year
Weight 24 lbs
Height 30.5 inches
Eats no more baby food. Officially drinks whole milk. Loves grains, meat and veggies, we are working on the love of fruit.
Sleeps like a champ. Around ten hours. Bed time is around seven thirty. Wakes once a night as often as a full moon.
"We were blessed with a healthy, beautiful, strong baby girl"

Happy 1st Birthday

Such a perfect day with our one year old. We woke up at seven thirty, Penny knew it was her birthday so she slept in. Score! We had balloons and a ball pit ready for her. We ate breakfast and headed to the outlets in Folsom for a little shopping. We all got some new needed swag. Then back home to prepare for the party. It was nice to be able to have it on her birthday. Snacks drinks and good friends and family made for a special day and I couldn't have asked for more. My weeks of slaving were well worth it. These pics are not in order but they are our day in a nutshell.