Disney on Ice on Christmas Eve...

Carson in his cool CARS traffic cone hat.
Katelynn enjoying her own seat...what a big girl!

Disney CARS on ice! How exciting!

Ice skaing Nemo...Wow!

Decorating our Christmas Tree...finally!!!

By the time we got the lights on the tree...Katelynn was ready for a nap.
Katelynn added an ornament to help out too.
Of course, her big brother stepped in to give her instruction on where to place it.After a week of having a "naked" tree in our living room, we finally got a chance to decorate it.

Carson helped with putting on the ornaments, but after a while, he got tired and just piled the rest of them on one branch.

Helping G.G. pick a Christmas tree...

Carson, Katelynn and G.G. with the perfect tree.

We were in San Diego for the weekend with Nana and Grandpa Tom, so we got to go and help G.G. pick out her christmas tree. We loaded the Suburban with everyone and even put TWO trees on the top of our car! It was a beautiful sunny day and the kids loved running around the tree barn.

Carson's Preschool Christmas Program

The Mitchell Family at Carson's preschool.
Carson with his teacher, Miss Donna.

Carson with his class, singing their songs.

(Our little sheep is in the front, bottom left)

Reading of the Advent lesson...

We were honored to have our family chosen to read the Advent lesson at church. Katelynn stayed with Mommy while she read and Carson helped Daddy light the candles. Both kids did great while on stage with everyone looking at them! Katelynn "made eyes" at the guitar player while Carson sat quietly on the stairs.

Choosing the perfect christmas tree...

Katelynn and Daddy in front of our tree.
Carson and Katelynn picked out a great tree!

Carson thought the chainsaw was a little too loud.

Carson supervising the man from Home Depot while he tied the tree on our car.

Bad Hair Day!

Katelynn woke up from her nap with CRAZY hair! Carson went in to check on her and came running to me yelling "Look at Sissy! Look at Sissy! Her Hair...her hair!!!" I have to admit I was concerned to see what I was going to find and thankful that it was just, a very bad hair day.

Decorating for Christmas

Carson and Katelynn showing off the new lights in our bushes.
Carson daydreaming about the treasures hidden in his Advent House.

Carson's Advent House.

Katelynn's Advent House.

Each day we would take an ornament out of the house and decorate their mini christmas trees.

Trolley train ride at The Grove

Getting ready for a trolley ride around the mall.
The Christmas Tree at The Grove is the largest tree on the West Coast!

Santa and his reindeer flying high above the shoppers.

American Girl Cafe for Christmas

Katelynn enjoying some lunch with her Bitty Baby.
Carson loved the cinnamon rolls...yum!

Our favorite part of the lunch...peppermint ice cream and cookies.

Another fun trip to The American Girl Cafe.

Carson and Katelynn looking off the balcony at Santa's Workshop down below.

Seeing Santa...

Carson was so excited...he ran open-armed to Santa and gave him a HUGE hug!
Katelynn was not as happy to see Santa.

Calling in for back-up...Mommy had to sit with Katelynn so she would not be scared.

Crazy mom, Joanna, decided to go through the line a second time to see Santa. Katelynn was a little more comfortable with the jolly ol' fellow upon their second meeting.

It was worth the drive to The Grove in LA, it was worth waiting in line...twice, it was all worth it to get this beautiful Santa photo.

Happy Thanksgiving...Happy three-house holiday!

We started off our Thanksgiving day with breakfast at Nana and Grandpa Tom's house.

We stopped off at G.G.'s house to say hello, on our way to our first Thanksgiving feast.
Thanksgiving lunch at Gran and Grandpa Bill's house.

We had Thanksgiving dinner at Uncle Tom and Aunt Kathy's house in Irvine. It was nice to see Uncle Timmy and Auntie Shannie, who made it home for the holiday.

Katelynn helped herself to the Cool Whip!

Katelynn also found a chocolate turkey. Aunt Kathy's house is always good for some treats!

Even though we went to four different locations on Thanksgiving, the day was great! We have so much to be thankful for. We are so fortunate to have family close to spend holidays with.

Katelynn is great at sharing...

I came into the living room to see Katelynn graciously sharing yogurt

with her dog, Reggie.

It was so gross, yet sweet and touching at the same time.

Our first visit to Sea World

Grandma Mitch and Carson looking at the starfish.
We brought a starfish over to see Katelynn
(and then got in trouble for taking one out of the water...oops!)

Katelynn loved looking at the dolphins and even tried to jump in to swim with them!

Good thing Grandma Mitch had a good grip!

Carson made a new friend with a dolphin.

They loved staring through the glass at eachother.

We had a great time visiting Sea World with Grandma and Grandpa Mitch.

The dolphins liked looking at Carson as much as he enjoyed looking at them. We played at the Sesame Street fun-zone.

(Which is still the same as Captain Kidd's World, just with Elmo and Big Bird now)

Making cupcakes for Mommy...

Carson and Katelynn got some help from Uncle Jason and Nana.
What could make a boy smile so big? Cupcakes and frosting, of course!

Katelynn used a spoon to frost her cupcake (and her tongue too)

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Mommy,

Happy Birthday to you!!!

A day at Disneyland for Mommy's birthday!

We went to Disneyland on November 8th to celebrate Joanna's birthday. The park was already decorating for Christmas and we saw the castle with snow and ornaments. It was beautiful! We also got to see Stevie Wonder perform as they were recording the ABC christmas special.