Playing Dress-up

Grandma Vicki found this Snow White dress a few months ago for Lylee, who in case you hadn't noticed is all about princesses. Lylee has been telling me all day that she wants to be Snow White. I remembered that we had this dress in the hall closet. She was completely thrilled and excited to be Snow White! I'll bet she tries to sleep in the dress.

Happy Birthday Princess Lylee

Lylee is so happy to be 3!

Lylee has convinced us all that she truly is Princess Lylee

Chris and Hyrum

Fun and games. We played "put Cinderella in the window". All of the kids were scared to be blindfolded, it was pretty funny.

Princess Pinata

Dig in Kids!

Taylor, Lylee's friend Madden and Lylee waiting for cake.

MMMMMMM...

This is Leland, one of the two boys that Lylee tells me she's going to marry. At least we like his parents, his daddy works for UP too!

Hyrum in his hat that his daddy helped him decorate

Cooper helping Lylee open a present

Yay presents! Lylee was so excited to have a special day just for her. The presents just made it better. It was so fun to watch my "big girl" come into her own.

Jones Family Monterey Birthday Weekend

I just want to let you know that this post is completely backwards but, still in order.

These are Taylor's windmills that he spent hours watching out for. They dot the green hills of California.

The bull with giant horns at Casa de Fruta. (We stopped both ways)

Lylee and Hyrum running on Monterey's beach.

Taylor and Lylee got caught in a wave!

Taylor was building up Lylee's confidence to get near the ocean.

My little monsters waiting for the coveted Ghiradelli banana split.

Everyone at lunch at Fishhoppers. It was so yummy!!!

Taylor and Lylee snuggle up with Grandpa Bob while Great Grandma sits nearby.

Silly Grandpa!

The cousins in a clamshell.

We love the Splash Zone at the aquarium!

Breakfast at From Scratch in Carmel. One of the best places for breakfast ever!!!

The little cottage we got to stay in in Carmel.

The kids snuggled in bed.

The Ghost Tree on the 17 Mile Drive.

Mr. Map

Lylee passed out. Don't ya love the Sammy Haggar look?

Deer on the 17 Mile Drive

The cute little cottage that I love.

The sea was very restless.

We got SOAKED looking for butterflies.

We knew there were probably no butterflies since it was the end of the season and it was pouring rain, but we had to try!

Monterey lighthouse

Teamwork!

Chris and the kids at Casa de Fruta

Disney on Ice

On a last minute whim this morning, we decided to go to Disney on Ice. It was really fun. They had the Cars cars, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King and Tinkerbell. Of course Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofie were there too. It was the perfect mix for our little family.

Everyone had fun and now we want to go to Disneyland!!!

How to Say Thanks

Many of you know that I have had quite the year, with 3 major surgeries, and the many complications that can come along with them.

We have been so very blessed to have such a wonderful support system. Chris is great and goes beyond the extra mile when he's home. My children are very blessed to have special relationships with my parents, my sister and her family. I have been able to count on them day and night, no matter what. My kids love Hyrum like he's their own little brother and I'm quite certain the feeling is mutual.

How I begin to say thank you? I wouldn't have made it through this last year without each one of you. I love you all so very much and hope and pray for all of us this that this is the end of Natalie's Drama.

Thanks

Big News

I just thought the world should know that Lylee is potty trained!!!!! Yes, it's true! no more diapers until grandkids!!!

Happy Holiday Season!!!

Things have been crazy around here. I can't believe this is the first post since school started!! Lylee moved back to her old preschool and LOVES every day. Taylor loves everything about being in Kindergarten and going to school with big kids. He's started reading and adding. It's so fun to watch him grow up! I usually help out in Taylor's class one day a week and I have really enjoyed sharing that time with him and his new friends. About 3 weeks ago I had surgery on my left shoulder that has been nagging at me for years. Recovery has proved to be very challenging with 2 little ones, but Chris is Mr. Awesome and the kids are trying to understand. Taylor is scared of my owies and Lylee likes to give them kisses. It's pretty funny.

Yesterday we got out for a change. We went to Macy's and put the kids letters to Santa in their special mailbox. We let each of the kids pick out their ornament for this year. Taylor got a silly football dressed up like Santa and Lylee got a hot pink purse with lots of silver "bling". Last we headed towards Santa. As we were walking down the mall, we passed Santa walking away from his seat so Taylor decided to stalk the poor old guy to the potty. Chris went after Taylor and Lylee and I went towards the line. We were happily suprised to find out that pictures with Santa were half off. Taylor was very excited and climbed up on Santa's lap and had a nice little conversation. Lylee was terrified and clung tight to Daddy. It was a fun trip.

Hope everyone is having a fantastic holiday season like we are! We're still looking forward to seeing the nativities, going to the live nativity at the Seventh Day Adventist Church, a trip to Apple Hill and the zoo on Christmas Eve!