December 2nd- San Diego Zoo

We went to the San Diego Zoo with Auntie Sue and Gamma. This has nothing to do with Christmas but since Aunt Sue was out for Thanksgiving from England we got to enjoy the first part of December with her. I love this zoo and so do the kids, it was a great day to go, the weather was perfect and it was empty, we actually got to enjoy the animals!

1st Day of December....Christmas Chains

Remember when you were a kid and you made the Christmas chains to show you how many more days till Christmas, well that is how we started out this month. The kids are so excited to tear off a chain each day and to count down the days till Christmas.

December Daylies....

During the month of December we have been doing something to do with Christmas each day and I have been taking one or two (or a few) pictures to document what we have been doing. Then I journal a little and then put it on a scrapbook page. I have this great book called The Adventure of Christmas and it goes through stories of why we celebrate Christmas (Jesus was born) and what a tree symbolizes (God's arms stretching out and it points up to heaven), how the "Christmas tree" got started, how cards got started, ornaments, lights and so on. It has great activities to do also as the kids learn! I love that my kids are learning the true meaning of Christmas, which sometimes gets lost in all the shopping and presents. So I will also share with you all the wonderful things that are going on here in the Williams' home.

Christmas....

Oh it's my favorite time of the year, Christmas!! The kids wrote their letters to Santa, Taelor wants a talking Jessie doll (from Toy Story), Bell Dress and a new baby doll. Ethan wants a talking Woody doll, train tracks, trash truck, some how a puppy and a cow was on his list too! Don't think Santa will be bringing the last 2 or maybe they will be in a form of a stuffed animal! Our Christmas Tree and lights are up and the house feels very festive! I LOVE this time of year!!

I feel ahead of the game this year already, as we kicked off our tradition of visiting the Fashion Island Christmas tree this past weekend and we visited Santa too! Ethan talked himself up that he wasn't going to cry and he was right, he sat on his lap and loudly told him what he wanted with no hesitations. Taelor told Santa very quietly what she wanted, but there were no tears this year. After we walked out of Santa's house, Ethan said "mommy, how come he didn't give me my Woody doll?" funny how a 2 year old thinks, he thought he was going to tell Santa what he wanted and he would get it then an there! So now he keeps asking "is it Christmas today?" So we will see how patiently he waits for another month! I have lots planned for the month of December so I am really excited for this month. Remember a few posts ago I mentioned a December Daily, well yes I am doing that to document each fun activity we do throughout the season! I can't wait to share!

Black Friday

Yes I survived Black Friday! My day started with only 4 hours of sleep and I was up and out by 4:10 am and off to Target! Yes it was crazy but I met my boss Mike and Sunnie there in the morning and it was lots of fun being one of the crazies that is there at that time. A few hours later my friends Vanessa and Marissa got there and we did our usual shopping there and then headed to the mall. I went to the Disney store for some great deals, Old Navy and then baby gap where everything was 50% off! By 11 am I was done and exhausted! I love this day, I look forward to it every year, so let the holidays begin!

Thanksgiving

Cooking with Grandma

My Family

Thanksgiving was great as always, we got to start the holiday off a little early this year since my parents went out of town for Thanksgiving. A few weeks before we had Thanksgiving with my family and it was a great night of laughter and conversation as always. I love my family, I love that we all get along and I love how we are all so alike but yet so different.

On the day of Thanksgiving we spent the morning in our jammies watching the Macy's Parade ( a tradition with the kids), then headed off to Gamma Sandie's for dinner. This year Saul's Auntie Sue flew in from England so she got to spend the holiday with us and it was so much fun! Yes we ate way too much and even Taelor had 4, yes FOUR servings of desserts (this is one day I let her eat whatever she wants, and how can anyone pass up Sandie's desserts), but a few hours later she had a tummy ache and she said "mommy, I don't think I will eat that much sugar ever again!" We will see when Christmas rolls around how she feels. It was so nice seeing Auntie Sue, we haven't seen her for 3 years, so there was lots to chat about. The kids took a great liking to her, Ethan calls her "that funny girl". And of course Sandie is in heaven having her sister with her.

Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks and her is what I am thankful for:

• Thankful for my family, yes I really am, not just my hubby and kids but for the whole family, we all get along so well and support each other no matter what
  
• Thankful for my job
  
• Thankful that I have great friends who I can always count on to be there when I need them the most and that they like me for who I am
  
• Thankful for all that God has provided for us this year, and we know that he has provided at just the right times
  
• Thankful to be a mom and that my kids have a loving mom and dad


• Thankful that I can provide a home for my kids where they feel safe and loved


• Thankful for my marriage, that after 8 years of marriage I still fall in love with him more and more each day, that he supports me, gives me courage and strength when I need it most and loves me


• Thankful that Aunt Sue was able to spend Thanksgiving with us


• Thankful for my faith
  

I asked Taelor what she was thankful for and her response was " I am thankful that I get to stay at home with daddy".....oh I just loved it, and it really touched Saul also. Am I sad that I am not the one that gets to spend most days with her, yes, but I am so happy that Saul gets to spend his days with them. Not many kids get to spend a lot of time with thier dad's so yes I am happy that is what she is thankful for!

More pictures to come from Saul's family....just need to upload

Women's Retreat

A few weeks ago our church had our Women's Retreat at the Rancho Las Palmas Resort, let me tell you it was a wonderful weekend.Not only did I get to spend a weekend with my sisters (except for Vanessa), and other wonderful ladies of the Bridge, I got a great feeling of faith renewal. It is so awesome to hear such wonderful speakers, women who have struggled in their own lives, they were not perfect and neither are we, even though we strive to be as women. I went on the leadership track and boy did God speak to me! To be a leader means to be stretched beyond yourself but you need to know the Gift of Limits, meaning you need to know how to limit yourself to what only God has called you to do. As a leader you need to let others know that you are real, that you are not perfect yourself, and that you have weaknesses also. It's amazing that God puts you in the right places at the right time. I got a lot out of what Tammy had to say, I got a lot out of the weekend and I felt so refreshed when I came home. It also helped that the hotel was amazing and SO relaxing, and that hanging out with the girls is always a good time! I look forward to our women's retreats every year and I am already looking forward to the next one!

Cowboy hats....

Only my parents would buy these for my kids and they insist on wearing them everyday!

My kids

My friend Traci makes these cute hats and asked me to take a few pics of them, so I just thought I would share them.

Tea Time with the Girls

At the beginning of November I hosted a Holiday Tea for my girlfriends. It was such a wonderful afternoon filled with great food, desserts, lots of tea, relaxing and chatting. We all took some time out of our busy lives to enjoy great conversation with each other. Tea for me is like being a little girl again, it takes you back to when you had no worries, it's a few hours that I get to wind down, put all my stresses and worries and just plain old busyness behind you for a little while. The tea was provided by English Rose Tea by Sandie my mother in law, and let me tell you she is one of the best bakers I know! So delicious and everything is provided by her so I didn't have to stress about making anything but my house look pretty! It was a perfect way to start off the holidays. Sandie also blogged about this day, you can read her post here.