Kristin and Jared's Wedding!

We flew into CA on Thursday, Dec 12.  The wedding festivities started that night with a trolley ride around San Francisco with a bunch of people who love Kristin and Jared.  It was a really fun night!

We met in the parking lot of our old church, and it was fun to see Audrey (and Austin) in the room where Audrey used to go to nursery- with awesome nursery leaders, Jamie and Kim. 

And seeing our great friend, David L. 

His two favorite women of all time.  It might have been the best night of his life. #grandmasandwich #unionsquarechristmastree #magical 

The day before the wedding I went over and did mani/pedis with the girls while Jared and Kristin went and had real mani/pedis.  Yay for more girl cousins! 

Let's have a wedding! Beautiful day for a beautiful bride! 

Mr. and Mrs.! 

It was a great day. My heart is full. 

December 2013

December was a very busy month.  We got back from Mexico on Dec 1, and then went to CA for Kristin's wedding (next post) on Dec 12.  We came home from the wedding for less than two weeks and then went back to CA on Dec 28 so we could drop the kids off before we went to Thailand. 

Busy, yes.  Very, very fun, yes.  Lots of sleep, no. 

First annual "Goodie Bags for the Homeless Night".  My friend did this in CO, and I loved the idea. We all brought lots of one item (water bottles, toothbrushes, packs of gum, hand sanitizer, hot coco packets, etc) and we assembled bags for each of us to have in our car to pass out to the homeless people.  Fun night.  

Joshua wrote this note to put in Dave's lunch. 

Sticking to tradition, we went to the nursing home with some friends to sing and pass out snowflakes.  It only took me 235 youtube videos to learn how to make a snowflake. 

Christmas Eve.  Acting out the Nativity with friends. 

Merry, merry, merry Christmas! #hopeeveryonegetsanap

I loved watching Austin open his pez from Santa and put them in this bowl. Breakfast. 

Joshua working on something, can't remember what, and Austin and Audrey playing Barbies. 

I started taking down Christmas decorations at noon on Christmas Day.  We were leaving three days later for over two weeks, and I didn't want to have to come home to Christmas. But we did do one more tradition on Christmas Day night that we almost forgot about. Decorating gingerbread houses. 

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night. 

Huckle Buckle Beanstalk with cousins! #wereback! #cantkeepusaway

Dec. 28

Shopping with the girls, for the girls. #twoniecesontheway #eeeeekkkkkk

Mexico for Thanksgiving 2013

Bamillions of pictures.  This week long trip was one of my top 5 favorite trips ever.  Perfect weather.  Amazing service project.  Zero drama. Baby girl announcement.  Surprise visit from my brother. Perfection. 

We are off!

We made it!

Cousinly love. 

Everyone but Andrew and Carrie were coming to Mexico.  At the last minute, sweet Andrew and Carrie decided to have Andrew fly down for 48 hours.  We got there and someone knocked on the door.  My Dad told me it was our bags being brought up, and when I opened the door and saw Andrew, I mildly freaked out.  My Mom caught the whole thing on video.  When we watched it (in slow motion) we laughed ourselves to tears. 

Siblings dinner. 

We went on an excursion with Rachel and Ryan - donkey ride, zip line (one of them we did upside down), repelling down a waterfall.  This is my third time to Mexico and first time to do this excursion.  The first time I was nursing Joshua (its an alllllll day adventure) and then second time I was pregnant with Austin. I have been hearing about this excursion for years, and it did not disappoint. 

My parents go to Mexico frequently.  One time my Mom and Aunt Ellen were there riding bikes around the local town.  They found  two little schools that were in need of some supplies.  We all donated, and found some companies and reps to donate things.  On Thanksgiving Day, we delivered the items to the schools.  It was an amazing experience, one I will never forget.  

Unloading all the balls at the first school. 

My very favorite picture. 

The second school was all kindergarten.  My Mom organized three different groups.  One group received letters and then wrote letters back (Audrey, Joshua, and Savy's classes all colored pictures for their new friends in Mexico).  Jessica and my Dad taught a cute little class on dental hygiene and the last group played outside. 

As a thank you, these cute little kindergarteners put on a little program for us. 

I had these two cute little matching dresses made for Audrey and Savy. I love these sister cousins. 

Jess announcing she was having a BABY GIRL!!!

 Fun in the sun. In November.  Yes please. 

Thanksgiving dinner at a local Mexican restaurant.  Steak instead of turkey.  My kind of meal. 

Joshua and Grandpa Great.  So glad he could come. 

Buenos dias. 

Swimming with dolphins.  Audrey's dream come true. 

Massages. 

Keeping the kids entertained so the adults could have an adult conversation. 

 Beach bums. 

Rachel brought this cute scrabble game for us to play on the wall.  All things we are thankful for. 

Last day devotional.  Singing some song. 

Getting ready to leave.  We were so sad to go. 

Cousins. 

It was a perfect trip!