-CHRISTMAS VACATION-
Natalie had a great 1st Christmas! We were able to spend the holiday with our families and Natalie met many family members for the 1st time on our vacation.
We started our trip in Prescott visiting Charlie's family. Natalie took awhile to warm up to everyone, it had been awhile since she had seen them. She was is a "mommy mood" most of the time we were there and would only let me hold her the majority of the time. Natalie was still mad at daddy since he had to be the bad guy and hold her down for her shots only a couple days earlier. While we were there we went down town and looked at some shops, then later that night my mother-in-law made us a delicious Mexican dinner. Some family came over and all enjoyed dinner and played cards. Our time there was short, we only stayed the weekend, Sunday morning we left to go to Phoenix.
Looking at Uncle Jesse very seriously...
3 of the 5 dogs
Natalie is more interested in the toilet paper than her new toy!
Great posture, she is sitting straight up!
Playing with Grandma Mima
Laughs!!
She grabbed onto the blanket as Jesse was walking by...
Natalie playing dress up with Grandma Mima's hat...
We got to my parents house in Phoenix Sunday afternoon. That evening was Landon's Angel of Hope ceremony. It was just as beautiful and special as last year. Lots of family was able to come out for Landon, Grandpa Jim and Grandma Carla were there, along with Grandma Mima, Grandpa Paul, Uncle Jesse and Charlene. And of course Mommy, Daddy, and Sister Natalie were all there. They started with an opening prayer, and then sang, "You Lift Me Up". The poem, We Remember Them, was read by Brad Hansen. Then, Craig Hansen did the memorial roll call and we were all given a white flower to lay on the Angel of Hope. After that was the lighting of the candles, and the poem, "I Light This Candle" was read. Next, the song "My Heart Will Go On" was sang by Karin Gunderson. Then it was time for the final prayer, and the Prayer Of Faith was read. Afterwards all of us went over over to visit with our little angel.
On Monday my friend Angela and her daughter came from Payson to visit with us. We went to lunch, and then went to the shops. And that night we went to my friend Ashley's house to have dinner with her, her husband, and their 2 kids.
Wednesday we went out to dinner with Charlie's dad, his wife Cynthia, her sister, Jesse and Charlene. Natalie got to try a little pizza that night... She kept grabbing and grabbing for Charlie's pizza, so we gave her a tiny little bite, and she loved it!!
On Thursday we went to lunch with our friend Cheryl, I have known her since the 1st grade!! Charlie and Cheryl met while we were all in high school. That night we celebrated Christmas (well, the gifts part) with my parents. We were all going to be in Missouri on Christmas but didn't want to bring all the gifts!!
We left Friday morning for Missouri, and it was Natalie's 1st time on an airplane. She did great!! No fussiness at all, she was a happy little girl the whole time! We were a very thankful Mommy and Daddy!!
A present from Grandma Carla and Grandpa Jim....
All of us with Landon...
Landon's plaque
Natalie and Cynthia
Falling asleep at the table with her bottle...
Natalie and Angela
Hailey handing Natalie a toy...
Natalie, Mommy and Daddy
Natalie with Grandma and Grandpa
Smiles!
Natalie on the airplane!
Natalie and mommy getting ready for take off!!
We arrived in Missouri Friday afternoon, and my grandpa met us at the airport. My mom flew to Missouri with us, and between all of us we had SO much luggage! Picture this... 4 adults, a baby in her carseat, 5 suitcases, a crib, a backpack, a diaper bag, and 2 purses... All crammed into a car... It was a snuggly ride :)
The next day was my grandma's 72nd birthday, we had pizza and cake to celebrate. Later that night more family arrived, but Natalie was already asleep... We had to wait for the morning for everyone to meet her. Sunday morning everyone was up and it was time for church. Natalie was so good, she just played and smiled at everyone. While at church we were introduced because we had 5 generations there!! Natalie being the 5th generation. Later that day we went to my cousin's wife's baby shower.
Every year on Christmas Eve all of our extended family comes to my grandparent's house to celebrate, this year it was snowing so much we weren't sure if it was going to happen... Luckily everyone made it! It was great seeing everyone, and Natalie met so many new people!
Christmas morning we were suppose to fly out of Missouri and spend the day with Charlie's family, but because of the snow the flight was cancelled. We went back to my grandparents and spent Christmas with my family. I have not been with my family on Christmas Day in many many years, and every Christmas morning my Grandma makes a special breakfast... This year Charlie and I got to enjoy Christmas breakfast. It was delicious :)
We were able to get a flight out the next morning...
Watching Papa...
What a smile!
Taking a drink with daddy's help...
Eating snacks with Uncle Tyler
Happy Birthday Grandma!
Natalie and Great Uncle Doug
Computer games...
EVERYONE was obsessed!!
Charlie and Grandma playing games, her on the computer and him on his itouch...
5 generations
Natalie opening her stocking...
Books! Natalie loves books!
Natalie, Mommy, and cousins Madison and Ashleigh...
Reading with Uncle Tyler
Natalie and Madison
Natalie with Great Grandma Toshiko
A tradition, everyone gets measured on the pantry...
Natalie's 1st measurment
Natalie and Mommy
Natalie and Grandpa Jim
Natalie and Cousin Connor
Natalie and Great Uncle Brad
Ha!! Christmas Eve my mom and brother dressed like twins!
My mom thought it was a little more funny than my brother did...
Natalie in her Christmas dress from Grandma Carla...
Natalie and Aunt Vicki...
Natalie with Amber and Ryan
(They are expecting their 1st child in March)
The "Kids" picture... notice Ty is still there...
Once you are married you are allowed out of this picture,
and into the "Young Married" picture.
*Natalie held Santa this year*
The youngest person in the picture gets to hold Santa.
The young married picture...
My grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins...
*Notice Charlie*
He decided he was the most important person :)
Opening presents!!
Toys!
More presents...
The tree outside, all lit up for Christmas...
Landon's memorial table at Grandma and Grandpa's house...
4 generations...
The morning of the 26th we arrived in Phoenix. Charlie's dad picked us up from the airport and we went back to his house and opened gifts. We went to visit Landon and wish him a Merry Christmas. We know he had a beautiful Christmas in heaven. We brought him 3 little trains, one from each of us. After that we went up to Prescott to surprise Charlie's mom (she didn't think we would be there until the following day). And she was 100% surprised!! It was great!! We opened gifts and had left over Christmas dinner. We were only able to spend the night because the next morning we had to go back to San Diego. Even though it was just a short trip, we were happy we were able to spend a little time with his family.
Playing with the tree at Grandpa Paul's
Very excited little girl!!
This is her knew thing...
She gets so excited and shakes while having a very tense face, its hilarious!
Opening gifts...
Playing pat-a-cake with Grandpa Paul...
(In Missouri Grammy taught Natalie how to pat-a-cake).
Me and my babies...
Daddy and his babies...
Natalie loved this stocking, it was singing...
Natalie and Mommy...
Happy girl!!
(And her new expression...)
We had a great vacation, and Natalie got so so so spoiled! She had constant attention, and when we got home she wanted me or Daddy at her side 24/7... If we walked away to do anything, she cried. It only took a couple days to get things back to normal. Natalie learned to play pat-a-cake, and now claps all the time. It's adorable!!
