Josh and Abbie enjoyed a get-away to San Diego where they played in the sun
Rode the Mission Beach Roller Coaster
Saw a Charger’s Game (Josh’s Favorite Team!!!)
and spent some fun times with Jim & Justin.
We surprised Abbie with first-class tickets both ways. Her greatest memory of sitting in 1st Class is that they serve soda in glass not plastic!
Abbie played her flute and James sang his little heart out at their winter concerts. Both were special and our families attended.
The kids worked together this year to complete a beautiful gingerbread house.
1st annual fruitcake. Why did I make one? Josh’s Grandma wished for one slice for her Christmas gift… we have lots leftover. Fruitcake anyone?
As the holidays rolled in, I wanted to fix some tasty treats and Josh found some tasty drinks, so we invited the family over for an old-fashioned holiday party! The festivities came complete with the gang dressed up. Fancy Stuff!
James was not so happy to see everyone ring our doorbell all dressed up while he was in a t-shirt & sweats…
So we dressed him up and took some more photos!
Abbie and Chandler dressed up in matching jammies!
Josh listened to this old-time radio show growing up and the Christmas after Abbie was born, we listened to one episode each night as we traveled to work as Bar Manager and Waitress at Hudson’s Bar & Grill. Each holiday season we talk about the Cinnamon Bear, and this year we decided to share this lovely tradition with our children. With dinner or before bed we would all gather round my laptop to listen to Jimmy & Judie on their adventures to find the silver star to top their Christmas tree. As the kids enjoyed the adventures, Josh and I ordered a silver star and surprised the kids one afternoon by topping our tree with a silver star!
One Sunny December morning we bundled up and walked down our road to the Snow Angel Christmas Tree Farm. We didn’t know what to expect as it was so close to home. We were pleasantly surprised; this tree farm was run by a lovely couple and we introduced ourselves as the new neighbors!
We found so many perfect trees it was hard to decide which one to choose. After we cut down our tree, we were offered cocoa and peppermint sticks; what a treat!
After getting the tree home, we realized just how big the tree was! We had to rearrange the family room just to accommodate our beautiful tree!
Thanksgiving Vacation was such a treat! We enjoyed the extended weekend with two amazing friends! Bill and Erin arrived late on Josh’s birthday and stayed through Sunday. Erin helped in the kitchen on turkey day and made one of her favorites, Corn Casserole.
Bill was a trooper; he and Josh put up our Xmas lights and winterized the pool all while watching James! Erin, Stephanie, and I went out for a little shopping, lunch, and treats from Starbucks! We all saw Disney’s The Christmas Carol in 3D and had a fun time going out to dinner… it was a wonderful & relaxing weekend!
I posted these photos on my “old” blog, but they were too tiny to see. Here they are a little bigger. Josh enjoyed his birthday with a breakfast out at a greasy-food cafe 
and then dinner at his favorite greasy-pizza restaurant… 
a perfect day for Josh!
He received many wonderful gifts including a wheelbarrow, ladder, gas can & extension cord. Can you tell he’s a home owner?!
