Christmas Eve and Day

Christmas Eve and Day we spent with Jayson's side of the family. We enjoyed dinner and opening of gifts on Christmas Eve at his grandparents. Gwen really enjoyed playing with her cousins. On Christmas Day the entire family went up to Jayson's cousins house for another great celebration. It was nice being around family once again during this holiday season. There is so many things to be thankful for and family is one.

Our baby girl turned ONE!

One the 23rd of December at 7:59am our baby girl turned the big ONE! By the end of the day she was really enjoying everyone singing to her. She would smile and clap along.
She started the morning with opening one more gift from grandma and grandpa and then enjoyed her birthday breakfast... eggs, cheese, and bread. We put on our princess outfit, packed up, and headed north to Jayson's grandparents for a few days. That evening grandma rickard had a special piece of chocolate cake waiting for her. And again she loved the entire piece.

Family Cruise to Mexico

Our Christmas gift from my parents was a family cruise to Mexico. There were 25 of us total. We boarded the Carnival Splendor in Long Beach for a week long cruise to Mexico. Our first port was Puerto Vallarta, we skipped Mazatlan because we got a hole in the back of the boat, and lastly we stopped in Cabo San Lucas. When we arrived in Puerto Vallarta the Harbor Master accidently backed the boat into a cement dock, which then added an extra day there.
Slide show of pictures on the cruise ship... I will hopefully get the groups shots included in this slide in a few days.

Gary had many family gatherings planned while on board. This slide show is of our family gift exchange. Each adult was to bring a $25 unisex gift to exchange for another. I ended up with a game called Apples to Apples and Jayson ended up with a brownie cutter. Oh was he thrilled!

The next slideshow is of our time in beautiful Puerto Vallarta. We all got into two vans and took a tour of the city. We saw what they called arches in the water, went and stopped at some shopping districts, took great scenic pictures, took a tour of a local tequila plant, and ate at a restaurant were a handful of us got really sick from.

This slideshow is from our time in Cabo San Lucas. This is a fun port to enjoy drinks on the beach. Extremely relaxing once you get past all of the people screaming for your business. It's crazy how many people want money for the littlest thing... ie: helping you get out of the boat, etc... i should start charging people for a helping hand in and out of my car. I'd be rich! Ha!

This slideshow is of Gwen, Lyric, and Elijah's birthday party. Gwen and Lyric were turning one and Elijah was turning 10. And yes I took Gwen's pretty dress off so she wouldn't get cake all over it. Jayson was very mad at me for that. What matter was that she enjoyed the cake and from the pictures I think she did!

The cruise was fantastic!! What a great Christmas present but most of all it was so great to see my entire family together again. Now that we all live in different parts of the Unites States the chances of us getting all together at one time is very hard. We made many memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you mom and gary for this special gift. We love you more than you know!

An early Christmas

After a night on the town with the ladies the next morning came very early for Jayson and I. Yes, Gwen decided it was time to get up at a very early hour. We decided or should I say I decided for us to have our own little Christmas opening before we left for our two week vacation. By the last present, Gwen was getting the hang of ripping open the presents.

Ladies Patch Night

Every six months Jayson's squadron graduates another set of weapons officers. To celebrate the night the ladies take out the wives, fiance's, and significant others for a night out on the strip. We all gather at the base and get on a party bus and well just enjoy ourselves. There is a lot eating, drinking, dancing, laughing, and good conversation.

Santa came to see us on an F-15

Last night was the children's holiday party at the base. Jayson had to work all day so I took Gwen by myself. He did eventually make it right as we were leaving though. Oh well, he at least got to see the pictures of attempt #2 with Santa. Yes, Santa came to see all of us on an F-15. All the kids were so excited...even Gwen once she was able to get on my shoulders and see what all the fuss was about. We stood very patiently in line for our turn to see the jolly old man. I thought maybe if I sat with her she would be better at seeing him, but as you can see from the pictures... well just take a look!
Santa saying hello to all the kids

Gwen's not crying yet...maybe it was the first Santa she didn't like??

Wait for it!

Okay, she just is not interested in the big bearded man. Poor Santa! Maybe when she's 10 she'll start to like you!

Enjoying some treats before we left for the evening.

Stairs!! OH NO!!

Gwen just discovered how to go up a couple of stairs the other day. Time for baby gate number two to be put up!

Day 4

This is what we woke up to! LOVE IT!! After enjoying it for a bit we had to pack up and hopefully get out of there in one piece. Luckily, the roads were clear after a few miles on the freeway. Whew! Not sure how pulling a trailor in the snow was going to work. Overall, it was a great long weekend that we all needed very much. It was also great being able to spend it with family. I know I keep complaining about living in the desert, but the best thing about living here is being so close to family. Most of Jayson's family is just 3 hours away and my family lives just another hour and half. We are never going to live this close to them while being in the Air Force, so we are trying to see them as much as we can now! Our family means the world to us!

Day 3

Saturday, still alive! Whew! We took a day trip to see Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monument. Yes, 2 of the 4 National Parks Gwen has been to in her short life so far. Both of these places were very beautiful. I especially loved what Flagstaff looked like. I had no clue that pine trees actually existed in Arizona. On our way home it started snowing! Yes, snowing! What a great way to start off the Christmas season! Jayson and I sure do miss the snow. I know we're crazy, but this desert thing is just not us.