Sunday, December 2, 2012

Thanksgiving 2012

Every other Thanksgiving we are lucky enough to have two Thanksgivings.  One with my family and one with Tim's family.  It is so fun to see everyone all in one day and even though it is a kind of crazy day, it is totally worth it to see all of our family!  Thank you, Mom, Rob & Jill for hosting us this year!

The boys
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Game Time
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Madison & Adelyn
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The Girls
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The Manbert Women
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Addy & Her Papa
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The Miltons
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Safari Park

Carolyn & Auntie KT were able to come visit with us before Thanksgiving.  To get out and take advantage of our beautiful weather, we went out to the Safari Park (aka Wild Animal Park).  Elise & Logan also joined us and we all had a great time.  So fun wandering around and looking at animals.  Good company too!

The Bug & Me
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Addy in front of an elephant statue
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Addy & Her Nonnie
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Logan, Elise, & Auntie KT
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Giraffes!
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A Cheetah, Up Close & Personal
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Few Of Her Favorite Things

Swinging before going down the slide
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Arts & Crafts including cutting and gluing everything
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Kazoos...Addy takes them everywhere
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Notebook and Pen...to take notes with...
And cell phone right next to her.
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And Candy!
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Diva

From dictionary.com:
Diva (n.): a distinguished female singer; prima donna.

Despite some disagreeing with me, I truly believe Addy thinks she is a diva.  Addy demands we listen to Disney Pandora in the car, she sings with all of her might, she commands an audience, and she is gracious enough to bow when she is done.  If we are home, she prefers to sing on her "stage" (aka our patio).  As much as her demands can drive me crazy, how can I not love this diva??  She is just so fun to watch!
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Saturday, November 10, 2012

Halloween 2012

This year Addy fully understood Halloween.  She knew she got to dress up, there was candy involved, and that when you knocked on a door that you said "Trick or Treat" and "Thank you."  She was ready for several weeks prior to actual Halloween.  To say Addy was excited would be an understatement, she was ecstatic.  So when we were shopping at good ole Costco and she spotted an Ariel dress, could I stop her from being Ariel?  Nope.  I was outvoted by Addy and Tim.  So we had a full blown princess (with "princess" shoes even-Thank you Payless Shoes!) on our hands. 
 
Addy spent the day with my mom and Alison and we met up at my grandparents for some enchiladas and trick or treating.  It has become a tradition to go there first, and it was great practice before the real deal later on.  Of course, seeing our cousins is another treat of going to G & G's.

 After we were done visiting we came home to trick or treat in our new neighborhood. So much more happening than our old neighborhood and so fun to see everyone having so much fun.  Addy was having fun too, until....
we walked up to a house that had a motion sensor giant spider. That jumped out of bushes and right at us.  
Not good for me (who is scared of spiders) and not good for Addy who is scared of most bugs. 
In our effort to run away, her crown fell off, and I stepped on it.  All the while my mom, Alison, and Tim laughed from the street.  
Of course, Addy immediately asked to go home.  I knew of a few "safe" houses that I made her visit first, but my poor baby was so sad.  She still mentions the big spider and even points to the house when we drive by.  Poor girl. :-(  Hopefully next year she will still want to go trick or treating.  
Despite our drama, Addy was still willing to pose with her loot and forced a smile onto her beautiful face. 

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Disney On Ice

Addy has finally reached the age where she can watch a full tv show or even a movie.  I have taken her to a few movies and when I saw Disney on Ice tickets for sale I thought, why not?  Tim and I both went to Disney on Ice as kids and have fond memories watching our favorite Disney characters dancing around on ice. 
Since we don't leave North County as much as we like, we decided to make a night out of it and headed to Point Loma for some yummy seafood.  We have been to Point Loma Seafood and do really like their food, but it is always so busy, so we decided to try Mitch's.  So glad we did.  Clam chowder, crab cakes, lobster tacos, and happy hour beer.  Perfect start to the night.
Addy Agrees...clam chowda is yummy.
 Lookin' at the boats


Then we headed over to the Sports Arena.  Addy was so excited for "The Show". 
 The 3 of Us
 Hard to tell, but this is the "It's A Small World" part of the show
 
It was so great sharing Disney on Ice and seeing it again through Addy's eyes.  
Even weeks later she still refers to "The Show" and the characters we saw.  

Saturday, November 3, 2012

LA LA Land

I think I have already mentioned this, but we have been busy around here.  So busy that Tim and I both needed a break from the real world.  Since it is close and because two of our favorite people live there, we decided to take a mini trip to LA for the weekend. My mom had not visited since Mandy moved in with Tom so she decided to join us too. It was great to visit Mandy & Tom  and see where they live.  I think we did a pretty good job of seeing and eating our way through the city.
 First stop, Marina del Rey to check out the beaches and eat some dinner.
My daughter is most definitely a beach girl.  Shoes off before we even hit the sand.
And I have never seen so many beach volleyball courts ever...we counted 50+.
 
The Griddle Cafe for breakfast.  Click the link if you dare...but be prepared for some mouth watering descriptions.
We had pretty "basic" pancakes in comparison to what is on the menu but they were DE-LI-CIOUS!  And huge!
 
The view of LA from Griffith Park (which was SO cool!!)
 The Observatory
 "Welcome to Hollywood"
 
 Mandy & Tom with their city in the background
 "Uncle" Tom and Addy (it's not official...yet)
 
 Such a big girl
 
 Us
 
 Rodeo Drive...baby!
 Cute little walk through in Beverly Hills
 The Culver Hotel
 A HUGE thank you to our tour guides, Mandy & Tom!  We loved visiting you and we will be back, promise!







Pumpkins

I used to think winter was my favorite season...then I lived in Davis for four winters and came to despise gray clouds and rain.  Moving back to sunny San Diego did not do much for my love of winter and I have come to love fall instead.  The beautiful sunrises and sunsets.  The cool mornings, warm days, and cold nights.  Halloween.  Thanksgiving.  Yummy food.  Delicious coffee.  And pumpkins.  Pumpkins of every shape, color, and size.   No fall would ever be complete without visiting a legit pumpkin patch.  You know, the kind where you actually wander among the vines and pick your own pumpkin.  I may love pumpkins, but I think Addy might love them even more. Here are some pumpkin pictures from the last month.
Love her.
  
G-ma & her love bug
 Addy & Titi Alison
 Fun Times
 Titi Alison & Uncle Brad
 Addy's baby pumpkin
 Love this place!
 After watching a Super Oso show on Jack-O-Laterns, Addy bugged us to carve the pumpkins...
We finally gave in the Saturday before Halloween.
 Any gooey stuff still in there?