Cutting Down Our Christmas Tree

After our fun morning at the mall we went home packed up a picnic lunch and headed out to Plumas National Forest to cut down our Christmas tree. First we had to stop in Hallelujah Junction to buy the $10 permit and then in the mountains we went.

Liv tuckered out already from her busy morning with Santa.

Mommy getting Larissa all geared up for the freezing snowy weather. Daddy with his big girls on the hunt for a Christmas Tree.

Daddy went off into the mountain to find us a tree while the girls and I sat by the creek. It was so beautiful. Half of it was covered in ice and snow.

Lolly and Leila enjoying the creek.

My girls all bundled up.

The Gorton Christmas tree.

Mommy pushing Liv around the best I could. Daddy would have to come and help out by pushing her stroller over some of the ice and snow.

Daddy with our Christmas Tree.

The girls on the walk back to the car over the ice and snow.

All tied up and ready to go.

The girls out of their snow clothes snuggled under their Grandma Ruth blankets warm in the car.

Making Christmas Wreaths

My friend Lindsey invited me to go with her to a MOPS group in Truckee to make a Christmas Wreath and there was no way I was going to turn down that opportunity. I only had to pay $5 for the meeting. It was so much fun getting to make one with a friend. I had a blast.

Lindsey making her wreath.

My final product on my front door at home. It looks way better in person. I am pretty pleased with the outcome.

My Birthday Present From The Girls

This is the plate that the girls made with Daddy's help for me for my birthday. I think they all did pretty good. I can't wait to use it next year for my birthday.

Leila's Mommy Date At Pump It Up!

Today while Larissa was a preschool, I took Leila and Liv to Pump It Up! for a Mom's like me play date. Leila loved every minute of it! She kept going through the obstacle course over and over again. It was by far her favorite thing to do today.

She also enjoyed driving the little car around. She would ride it bounce house to bounce house.

Liv enjoying being bounced by Leila.

Leila having trouble climbing the wall. She kept at it though and finally made it to the top.

The girls had a blast on one of the bounce houses. I put Liv on the entry part and Leila inside. Leila would jump and jump and it would bounce Liv who giggles with delight.

Time To Head Home

Our last morning we ended up sleeping in until around 10am as a family! When we finally awoke it was time to get a move on and do all the final packing and cleaning. We had so much fun on our little vacation. Thank you Auntie Zizi and Uncle Tony!

Liv having fun cruising around the television.

The chairs behind her are acting as our gate so that the girls would not go down the stairs.

Our happy little Liv! Larissa and Leila pretending to be asleep in their bed.

Larissa wanted me to take her picture from the loft (their room)

Of course Leila wanted a picture too.

Larissa with her collection of "flowers".

The girls hunting for "flowers" from the trees.

Climbing up our backyard deck.

Leila reminds me of the character that was popular in the 80's of the guy looking over the fence with just his fingers, nose and up showing. She is way cuter of course.

We finally got them all packed into the car. They were not very excited to have to leave. They still wanted to play outside and go on adventures.

We stopped for gas and they were much happier because we told them we would put on a movie for them.

I loved seeing all the beautiful fall trees. This picture does not do the forest justice. The colors were so vivid. It was truly breathtaking. I thought of my Mom and how she would enjoy this. I had to take a picture to show her.

Finally home in Nevada. The moon is coming up and it is time for bed. What a great vacation! It was much needed. Im glad that Chris took the time off.

Our Last Night Of Vacation

Our last night at the cabin.

Larissa thought it was so cool to make a bed under the coffee table. Leila's turn to help start the fire.

Daddy showing Liv the fire. Liv really thought that was pretty neat to look at. She was hard to pull away from there. Larissa wanted Daddy to pretend that she was his little baby. Here he is rocking his "little Larissa". Oh I remember the days when she was so little and he would rock her in her room. Oh they grow so fast!

Liv playing with the My Little Pony.

Right before bedtime we had some visitors outside on our deck. It was a momma raccoon with her 3 little babies. The girls got a kick out of seeing them nose to nose through the glass. Larissa liked seeing them but the fascination died quickly. Leila on the other hand was hard to pull away. She kept coming back for more and more. We sent her to bed and then before we knew it she was right back at the window.

The girls looking at the raccoons.

Leila telling us about what she is seeing.

Leila enjoying the view. She is our animal lover for sure.

Christmas Town

I am not sure which little town this was but the whole town had foil wrapped around the bottom of all the trees and building then decorated with a red ribbon. The girls told us it was Christmas town. We passed through here on our way to and from Yosemite.

Our Yosemite "Adventure"

Chris got up extra early this morning to prepare us a wonderful breakfast. He was so sweet to let me sleep in. After we ate I got the girls ready and Chris packed us a picnic lunch for our exciting day trip to Yosemite! It was a 2 1/2 hour drive from our cabin. This is the first National Park that I have been to with Chris.

We finally made it!

Chris and the girls looking at Bridal Falls. Chris with his Bride at Bridal Falls.

I wanted to show them the Ahwahnee Hotel so we stopped in there. There was wine convention going on so we were not able to go back into the huge rooms with the fireplaces and beautiful furniture. We settled for a picture in front of a fireplace in the hallway. It was so nice and warm!

It was so pretty all decorated for Christmas. I loved all the fresh greenery they used for decorations.

We then enjoyed a wonderful picnic lunch prepared with love for us by Chris. The big girls had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, Liv had organic shredded chicken breast and Chris and I had organic grilled chicken breast in a pita filled with fresh sliced tomatoes, lettuce, cucumber garlic Tzatziki, pitted bistro blend olives marinated with herbs and Napa Valley chardonnay. It was so good! What a great lunch!

I let the girls run free after lunch in a huge meadow.

The girls in the meadow in front of Half Dome.

Larissa running free!

The girls playing in the meadow.

Leila and I hanging out. This is her "I'm thinking about smiling" smile.

Daddy with a very happy Liv.

Daddy helping the girls up the rocks while they were on one of their adventures.

Daddy and Leila finding cool places.

Daddy with his Leilabug.

Daddy with all his girls.

The girls each got to pick out and make a squished Yosemite penny.

Liv and Larissa posing with a bear in the gift shop.

The blonde's asleep.

Isn't is just so pretty!

Leila at the Chapel.

Leila and I played the piano in the church. It was so pretty.

Leila playing all by herself.

Larissa had woke up from her short nap and came in and joined Leila and I. Chris stayed with Liv at the car.

Leila pretending to pray in one of the church pews.

The inside of the church.

One of the waterfalls.

Daddy driving us back home to the cabin.

The light at the end of the tunnel.

The girls watching another movie on the way back home. They were getting very sleepy.

Cozy In Our Townhouse

When we got home the girls got their blankets and pillow and took turns "sleeping" in the recliner. We do not have on at our house so thought it was pretty cool.

Larissa

Leila After dinner and baths Daddy and Larissa started the fire. She was a good helper scrunching up the paper and throwing it in.

Calaveras Big Trees State Park

Today's "Adventure" was to the Big Trees State Park. The girls were so ready to go on an adventure with Daddy.

Liv laying in the back of the van in her super warm snowsuit. She reminded us of the little brother from the movie "A Christmas Story". She could not move very well in this. It was pretty funny.

The girls dancing on their stage. Mommy with a super warm Liv.

Daddy and Larissa standing on the biggest tree stump I have ever seen.

Leila was scared of it. I think all big things scare her.

Daddy and Larissa inside of a fallen tree.

Daddy with Leila standing inside of a tree.

Lolly's turn!

Family photo

It is a little dark but when you ask others to take your pictures I think your lucky if everyone is in the shot. :)

Daddy with his big girl on a adventure walking through a huge fallen tree.

Peek-a-boo Daddy! Can you find him?

The girls thought that it was pretty funny. Daddy walked through the whole length of this tree.

Liv and I standing inside of a tree.

Larissa carried this around for about 15 minutes then decided that she did not want it. (Good thing too because you cannot take them from the state parks.) Also that thing left her new coat with a nice coating of sap! Not excited about trying to get that out.

Daddy, Larissa and Leila walking through a huge tree.

Mommy and Liv enjoying the trees.

There was a wind storm the night before and about 5 of their big trees fell across the path. The Park Rangers were out there early in the morning chainsawing them to get the path cleared. We did have to climb over a huge one with Daddy's help. It was quite tricky for me with Liv in the front carrier.

The Warming Hut

After our hour walk we enjoyed hot chocolate and apple cider next to their nice fire. Just what we needed. It was really cold in the morning.

The girls warming up by the fire.

Finishing their hot chocolate. Larissa is trying to get out every last marsh mellow.

After enjoying our hot chocolate and warming up a little we found some picnic tables and had a wonderful picnic thanks to Daddy! It even warmed up a little bit outside so the big coats came off of the big girls. Liv still had to have on her snowsuit due to her poor circulation.

Liv hanging out with the Big Trees.

Leila wanted to be in the picture.

Leila and Larissa off and running to play in the snow.

Liv enjoying the snow.

They are so sweet when they want to be.

Looking for birds in the trees.

The girls and Daddy exploring a tree.

Vacation!!!

Today we left on a 4 day, 3 night "Adventure" vacation. The "Adventure" part was added by our girls. They wanted to take Daddy on one. We got the car packed, kids in seat belts and we were off (only a little bit off schedule). My sister was kind to share her timeshare with us that she has up in Arnold, CA. So we were going to stay there and then go on "adventures" around there.

The girls watching a movie on our way.

The trip took us 5 1/2 hours to get there! Highway 4 was closed for the winter so we had to go WAY out of our way. Poor Chris had to put on chains in the dark, low 20's and with lots of wind. At least it was not snowing. I didn't dare take a picture of him putting them on. He was not a happy camper. I was remembering my Dad putting on the chains on the van when we were kids and how frustrated he was. So I knew it was best to just let him do it without interruption. We eventually got to Mountain Retreat at 8:30pm.

The city Mountain Retreat is in.

Mountain Retreat (the timeshare)

Our 3 story townhouse. It was as big or maybe a little larger than our old house. The girls called it "the stair house" due to the 2 flights of stairs.

A Visit From Grandpa And Grandma Rose

This evening Grandpa and Grandma Rose came up for a visit. Their drive was a little long due to people not knowing how to drive in the falling snow. We were sure glad that they made it here safe. We hung around the house for a couple of hours and then went to dinner. While we were at home Larissa wanted to take some pictures of everyone. She is really into taking pictures these days.

Here is her picture of Daddy.

Her picture of Daddy and Grandpa

Her picture of Leila

I finally got a hold of the camera and was able to get some photo's of Grandma Rose with Liv and Leila. Larissa did not want her picture taken. Go figure.

Liv playing with Grandma Rose.

Grandma Rose with a very smiley Leila.

The End Of A Great Thankful Day

Family Photo Time

Larissa enjoying her Pumpkin Spice cake.

Leila thinks it is really good too.

After Dinner Activity

Our MOPS did a fundraiser with Yankee Candle and the orders needed to be organized so I did it in my entryway at our home. The girls loved all the packing paper from the 21 boxes. It turned into one of the funnest moments of our Thanksgiving.

The girls having a blast playing in the paper. It is so fun to see them all play together and have the same amount of fun.

Thanksgiving Dinner

Happy Thanksgiving!!! Today Chris got up early to start to brine his turkey. He had been dreaming about making his turkey all night long. I am so blessed to have such an amazing husband who loves to cook! I did not make one thing (per his request) for our dinner. The girls and I did set the table and do some of the dishes. We had a great family day watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade, playing and eating together.

Chris' turkey.

The wonderful dinner made from scratch except the bread and cranberries. Liv's first real Thanksgiving dinner. I am thankful for my wonderful family!

Liv enjoying her first bites of Thanksgiving dinner.

Leila drinking out of a "fancy" glass.

Larissa being careful not to spill.

Daddy and Larissa making silly faces.

Liv having a great Thanksgiving.

I love green beans!

Daddy and Leila enjoying a good after dinner laugh.

Trying to get a picture of the three of them is pretty hard. Here are a few of my attempts to get a sisters Thanksgiving picture.

Take 1

Take 2

Take 3

I am thankful for my amazing husband!

What are the girls thankful for? I think everything in sight literally. :)

Leila And Liv On An Adventure

After dropping Larissa off at school Leila, Liv and I decided to go on an "Adventure". Today our adventure started out at a nearby park, then we wandered off to the huge soccer field and eventually ended up in the middle of some desert land. Leila was so excited to be leading us on our adventure.

Liv enjoying her ride on the swing.

Leila's new way to swing. Leila taking us on our adventure.

..Now we are in the desert.

So proud of being the leader.

After lunch when we were getting ready for nap time I noticed Liv turning purple. Yes actually purple. Her hand, feet, lips and the area from her nose to her lips. It really freaked me out. She was breathing just fine and acting normal. So I tried to warm her up in the sun with a blanket but that did not work. So I called the doctor and they wanted her to go to the ER but I was able to get her an appointment with her doctor withing an hour so I went with that. It turns out that Liv has really poor secondary circulation. So now we must bundle her up with super warm hats and mitten almost all of the time. Along with super warm clothes. She was already wearing many layers but I guess not enough. This girl is keeping us on our toes!

After our busy day little Liv just could not hang any longer.

Once she finished her dinner we was out.

Sleepy girl.

Liv And Her Present

Today at MOPS our friend Julie gave Liv a birthday present but was not able to see her open it. So here is Liv ripping open the present and enjoying her new toy.

My Latest Creation

My latest creation is a Pizza Pan Advent Calendar

Supplies:

Pizza pan ( I got mine from Walmart for $4), Paint pens, Ribbon, Strong magnet, Hot glue gun, Clear rock (the kind you would use to fill a vase), Paper and Printer, Pencil.

Directions:

1. On your computer figure out which font and size you want your number in.

2. Print page of numbers ( used "Impact" font at 60 in the shape of a Christmas tree).

1

2

3 4

5 6 7

8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24

25

3. You need to transfer your numbers onto your pizza pan. If you have carbon paper or transfer paper, sandwich it between your numbers and your pan and trace it out. You can make do with a pencil if you do not have carbon paper. Turn over your numbered paper and scribble on the back side. make sure you cover every part of each number. Put the paper right side up and trace over your numbers leaving the imprint of the numbers on the pan.

4. Trace over the numbers with your paint pen (be careful not to smear paint)

5. Hot glue ribbon to the back of pan for hanging. You can also hot glue ribbon around the front for decoration.

6. Cut a small piece of ribbon to match the bottom of your rock. Then hot glue it on so that the ribbon top is facing the rock.

7. Hot glue rock with ribbon adhered to magnet (this will be your marker that will move as the days go by).

Lunch With Friends

This afternoon we went over to our dear friends Zach and Jeni's house for a brunch. Our other dear friends Matt and Lindsey came as well. We enjoyed pumpkin pancakes, bacon, facon (fake bacon), eggs and juice. It was all so good! For dessert we enjoyed some wonderful pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. It was so fun to watch all three of my girls play with baby Danny and Xander. The pictures of the guys did not turn out so they were there, but I am not posting any of those pics.

Jeni was so cute and set the girls their own special places complete with Hannah Montana cups and stickers!

Larissa playing with Danny and Xander. The three little friends. Xander, Liv and Danny

Hanging out in the cage.

Ms. Lindsey with Leila

Playing with the saucer.

Leila shared her stickers with Liv.

My best girl friends in Reno

Jeni and Lindsey

Leila Playing In The Snow

Trying to make a snowball.

Seeing how far she can kick the snow. Leila's first snow angel of the season.

Leila making her snow angel.