My Snow Angel

We were so excited to wake up to a couple of inches of snow on Sunday morning. They even cancelled church, so we wrapped up warm and decided to spend some much needed family time at the local park. It was beautiful, especially when the sun poked through the clouds.

This was the first time that we have had snow that Amelia has really been old enough and been able to play in it. It wasn't more than 10 steps on the park grass before she threw herself down to make her first snow angel ever, she must have made upwards of 25 snow angels, she would walk a few steps, then make another one.

Then came the snowballs, of course Matthew and Amelia ganged up on me, it always seems to happen that way but I didn't mind a bit.

"Look - a snow angel!"

Daddy got Amelia with a snowball right on her hat.

It was so picturesque at the park.

After we got home, Amelia and I played in the back yard and made a snowman, another first for my little girl. Believe it or not, it was daddy's idea to put a tiara on the snowman's head.

"dashing through the snow"

Amelia found a hole in the fence and enjoyed putting snow through it.

This is the face of a little girl who is having fun

Amelia loved throwing snow at me. As she made the snowball she would say "get some snow, pat it and throw it at momma".

It was probably one of the most fun days we've ever had!

Enjoying one of Grandpa's Traditions

We spent our Thanksgiving holiday in California with family. Matthew's parents, Matthew, Amelia and I drove to Fresno to visit with his brother Nathaniel his wife, Mandi and their beautiful children Jacob, Nicole, Brody and Blake.

Amelia's grandpa Rawe attended Fresno State, and so one of the traditions he does with the grandchildren is to take them to see the Animals at Fresno State. The day started with a doughnut breakfast, this gives them tons of energy to run around. It was a fabulous morning, the weather was perfect, and although we didn't get to see the quarter horses, grandpa's favourites, we did enjoy seeing the pigs and sheep, and most of all Amelia loved spending time with her cousins, especially Nicole, who took really good care of her.

There were parts of the campus that were pretty stinky.

Amelia adores Nicole and held her hand everywhere we went.

Blake didn't stop running.

They all love grandpa very much!

Hiding amongst the trees was so much fun!

What an adorable bunch.

They made a wish whilst blowing dandelion clocks.

Time for a dance with grandma and grandpa.

Nicole watching the sheep. Such a beautiful girl.

Brody climbed the highest on the gate, he is just four days older than Amelia.

Jacob is the eldest, and so handsome.

Everybody paid attention to Uncle Nate and grandpa when it was time to cross the road.

A gravel pile, how fun!

So happy!

There were some huge leaves on the ground, which the kids loved throwing up into the air.

It was such a great morning and a wonderful tradition. I loved watching Amelia as she had so much fun with the family that she doesn't get to see as often as we'd like.

Thank you grandpa for sharing this special tradition with us, we love you!

A Fun Day Leading up to Christmas!

This Christmas was so wonderful, of course I took so many pictures that I just can't help but share them. These were taken on the day that we took Amelia to see Santa. I just loved how her hair looked after I had curled it, and even though it had dropped quite a lot by the time she got to see Santa, I got some cute pics before we left and on the way that I wanted to share.

Oh by the way I just have to mention the snowmen in the first picture. I made/painted them when I lived in Modesto for a Super Saturday craft day at church. I'm not sure what it is exactly about them, but they make me sooooo happy. We have used them as a kind of measure for Amelia, by taking her photo by them every year to see how much she has grown. Do you want to know a secret? Even though my Christmas decorations are all put away now, my snowmen are still in my living room, after all, I figured they are kind of a Winter theme...right?

On our drive to the mall to see Santa, I had fun capturing some of the expressions that I see often on my little girl's face...of course some are lovely and angelic, the others not so much, but still cute!

When we arrived we quickly changed her outfit in the car, and put her in her new Christmas dress, then it was time to head into the mall, on what I think was one of the busiest shopping days (not including Black Friday).

I LOVE the photo below, definitely one of my favourites.

As we got ready to see the man in the red suit, I bothered Amelia again taking more pictures.

Since we could call ahead to be in our Santa line (can you believe he has a virtual line these days), we could rest for a while on the comfy benches, instead of standing up for an hour!

Have you been good Miss A? Hmmmm, looks like she's keeping quiet.

After she met Father Christmas, she took a fancy sports car out for a spin.

On the way home, we stopped at our Stake Center to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. This was the third year that they have had a live nativity and it just seems to get better. It was a very chilly, foggy night and I felt kind of bad for the actors who had volunteered to sit out there for hours, but it somehow made it more realistic.

This is Nigel the Camel, he is always a star of the show, and doesn't mind that all the children (and adults) want to pet him, he's very gentle and a great addition to the Nativity.

There were also live goats and donkeys, Amelia loved watching them.

We got a cup of hot chocolate and some cookies inside which helped to keep us warm.

It was a wonderful day/evening and really got us in the Christmas Spirit.