Road to the Rose Bowl II

Dear Taylor and Anna,

What a packed day! We started with an amazing breakfast at Uncle Bill's in Manhattan Beach. From there, we walked down the pier, checked out the aquarium and the jumped in the car. We then drove out to Claremont to check out Scripps, the pool and walked around downtown.

From there, we drove to Pasadena to check out the parade route! It was so crazy to see people camped out.

Then- as if we hadn't seen enough, we went to LA Live to have a snack, go to the pep rally, check out the ESPN arcade and finally have an early NYE dinner at Rosa Mexicano.

Xoxoxo
Mom

Road to the Rose Bowl

Well Girls,

We are going to the Rose Bowl! We dropped Hudson with the best grandma ever and headed south! There was some bad traffic from an accident so it took nearly 10 hours with many stops for bathroom breaks, etc, but we made it!

We checked in to the hotel and went straight to the hot tub! Nothing better!

Tomorrow we will do a full tour of LA and then meet friends for dinner to celebrate the new year with a 5:30 dinner reservation:)

Xoxo
Mom

Christmas Morning

Dear T, Anna, and H,

We had such an amazing Christmas.  We went to mass at school

Set out cookies for Santa.

 Read the Night Before Christmas

 And then Santa and Mrs. Claus got to work

Super Santa!  Putting together a train table for FOUR hours!

FINISHED!

 We might reevaluate how many presents you all get next year.  This was a bit much.

 First view.

PRESENTS!

I think Daddy and I had the most fun watching you open gifts. We love the three of you so much.

xoxo
mom

Heart Melting

Dear Taylor and Anna,

You both had your Christmas program and it was by far the highlight of our holiday season!!! Then, two days later, you had a christmas party and play, which were just as heart melting.

You both worked so hard learning your songs and moves and they were fantastic!

Xoxo
Mom

Merry Christmas

Dear T, A, and H,

We had the perfect day. We walked Chrissy Field, had lunch on Chestnut, got a sweet treat at Susie's, and came home for a rest before church. Today was sprinkled with sadness too. Memories of Grandpa making breakfast on Christmas morning. Opening his 123,462,365 tie, even though I don't really remember him wearing ties. Thoughts that he would have been so thrilled by his nine grandchildren, and the hilarity he would have found in the all of you celebrating Christmas as Jesus' birthday (he really was not a religious man).

It is so hard to believe it has only been six months. Devastatingly hard. I am sure I am not alone when I say that grief is hard. I often describe it as brutal. I am mostly sad because he loved you kids so much, and thought that you were the most amazing people! (Probably because we think that too)!

So, before I post pictures. Here is my annual Christmas post/prayer. This is from a speech given by the president of the Mormon church in December 2004

This Christmas, mend a quarrel.
Seek out a forgotten friend.
Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust.
Write a letter.
Give a soft answer.
Encourage youth.
Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise.
Forgo a grudge.
Forgive an enemy.
Apologize.
Try to understand.
Examine your demands on others.
Think first of someone else.
Be kind.
Be gentle.
Laugh a little more.
Express your gratitude.
Welcome a stranger.
Gladden the heart of a child.
Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth.
Speak your love and then speak it again.

Xoxoxo

Christmas I

Dear T, A and H,

We had our first Christmas celebration tonight! Such fun decorating cookies with cousins and opening presents!

Xoxo
Mom

Santa!

Dear kids,

We waited in line at the mall to sit on Santa's lap. The girls were beyond excited, Hudson was so excited he choked on an apple and three up everywhere!

The picture is my favorite! I love seeing crying faces on Santa's lap.
Xoxo
Mom

Actions Speak Louder than Words

Dear Taylor, Anna, and Hudson,

Last Friday's event was a tragedy.  A crushing, sad day of events, from which we are trying to shield all of you.  We have turned off the television, and radio, and control what you hear, as much as we can.  Friends came over this past weekend, and we made sure to tell them what you didn't know.  We are trying to protect you from a harsh reality.  Some may say that we shouldn't.  You hear about all this from your friends.  Maybe.  Maybe not.  We want you to believe the world is good and bright, not all of this darkness.  That you are safe.

One of my favorite blogs, 71 toes, linked to another blog, which really says it best.

So for every crazy, merciless, mentally ill terrorist who destroys life, and light, and innocence in this world, for every act of darkness, I need to do a thousand acts of light. The only way we win is by living better, by pushing back harder, by loving, and by nurturing in tiny and slightly less tiny ways and then repeating. Darkness only wins when the good people of the world stop generating light.

This mother isn't focused on the politics, or gun control, or anything but what she can do to make a change.  She can be the light.  

As parents, we show you by example.  Rather than telling you that the world has dark people, who do unspeakable things.  I hope we show you, through our actions, how to "live better."

xoxoxo
mom

Yep, we're nervous!

Taylor and Anna,

How on earth did you grow up so fast. We blinked and you are tuning into young ladies. One wild, one reserved. Both adventurous. Both spirited in totally different ways. Both deeply religious. They say that the qualities in your children that you love the least will serve them the best as adults. If this is true, the world is not ready for you girls!! I can only imagine the tremendous things you will accomplish.

You are such amazing girls and we are so proud of you both.

Xoxoxo
Mom

Today II

Dear T, A, and H,

Today, we expected daddy to land at 9am, but he missed his connection in Japan and it wasn't meant to be. So, without any plans, or milk in the house, we set out to create a great day. We packed up, and headed for Hubbie's house (even though she is in PT).

Being here islike getting a hug, plus, it is freezing today and it is nice and cozy here.

So, while we wait for daddy, we are lounging, playing games, mommy got a mani, and of course, taking long hot baths.

Xoxo