Auntie Whit and Uncle Kevin come to visit

We had a fun visit from Auntie whitty and Uncle kevin just before Christmas. They left Utah to come to CA for Christmas and we were heading to utah for Christmas. They came to see us at home the day before we left and it was awesome for me because they played with the kids, took them in the hot tub, took them to the park and entertained them the whole day while I was able to do last minute Christmas things and get packed for a week long trip. The kids had so much fun playing with them but everyone was too silly to pose for a cute picture, as you can see! To pay them back for their wonderful help, I treated them to a delicious bowl of oatmeal for dinner. sorry guys! i hope you still come back again!

Kolby and Firefighter Rick

This is our neighbor Rick who is a firefighter. He drives the back part of the huge fire truck and of course kolby, how wants to be a firefighter, thinks this is awesome. Carson and Eliza also think it is awesome but they are scared to death of it. Rick and his fellow firefighters have been so nice to stop by a few times in the cul-de-sac and give Kolby a personal tour of the fire truck. He loved it!

Eliza's Preschool Christmas Program

Eliza's preschool, Small Wonders at Valley Baptist church, had such a great Christmas program. All of the kids were dressed in their Christmas best and the program was help in the church's sanctuary/chapel. It was beautifully decorated for Christmas and each class learned 2 different songs that helped tell the story of Christmas. I have them on video but I am horrible about uploading video cuz it takes so dang long even though I have a super high speed connection. Maybe I will add it later. Eliza's class sang "Go Tell it on the Mountain" and also a song about Joseph and Mary looking for an inn. Eliza was very proud to be part of the program and loves to perform.

Eliza with her teachers Miss Sina and Miss Jennifer


Eliza giving it her all on stage singing Christmas songs


Eliza in her classroom after the program by their class Christmas tree


Eliza in front of the beautiful tree in the Sanctuary

Kolby on my Bike

I just had to capture this on camera because in December, Kolby all of the sudden decided that his bike wasn't good enough anymore and he thought that he was big enough to ride my bike. Well, he was. It was pretty funny...it reminded me of the book of the Little Red Hen and the pictures in there where the hen has to have extensions on its feet to be able to reach the pedals and the hen is just so small compared to the big bike. Kolby looked very small on a big bike. But he loved it. He even attached the child carrier stroller to the back of the bike and rode it around. He did it a few times with kids in it but that made me a little nervous, along with the rest of the parents in the neighborhood. I'm happy to say that I am writing this 6 months later (that's not the part I am happy about), but he is actually out of the phase of needing to ride my bike. He still wants a new bike, but he has to earn it!
And I had to include this beautiful sunset photo. It looks as if he were riding off into the sunset. the colors were amazing!

Christmastime Disneyland in the Rain

Well, we took a chance and went to Disneyland on a Saturday before Christmas, knowing that we might regret it because the crowds could be out of control. But we lucked out, sort of. It was pouring rain so there weren't very many people at all. We were soaked, even though we were wearing ponchos. Our shoes and socks were drenched and I really never have seen it rain so hard in Southern California before and for such a long period of time. The positives were: few crowds...we rode everything we wanted to as many times as we wanted to, we got to see Santa and mrs. claus and the reindeer without any crowds either, we still saw the snowing castle which was beautiful and maybe best of all, the kids were ready to leave at the same time we were. We also ran into our friends the Williams that day, which was a fun little treat. We conquered the park pretty quickly that day and got out at a decent time. It was a great way to spend our last day as season pass holders. We told the kids were are taking a break until Carson is five so we can appreciate the magic again. They are bummed and so are we, but it will be worth it!

Beautiful Minnie with Eliza, Mom and Carson...another plus...no line to go in and see the Princesses at Princess Fantasy faire!

One of the highlights of the trip...Carson was tall enough to go on Matterhorn so the whole family was able to go on a roller coaster ride. However, I am pretty sure the that Snow Monster scared him to death. He was the best sleeper before that trip and just hasn't been the same since. Definitely not worth it! I miss my good sleeper!

The family and Santa

Cute Mrs. Claus with Kolby & Eliza

Kolby's first time on Splash Mountain. It was so much fun we did it a few times and even got Eliza to come with us. I was too cheap to buy the actual picture but here is the picture of the picture and Kolby and I are at the very back.

While we were on Splash Mountain, Carson and Geoff were having fun meeting Tigger and Eyeore.

the End...we were tired and wet but had another great day at Disneyland!

Family Photo Shoot

These are some family photos that we took in November 2009 for our 2009 family Christmas card. We just went down to a local corner (at Fruitvale and Hageman) with the Salinas family and they took our photos and we took theirs. Seemed to work out ok. We are definitely not professionals, but we captured a somewhat decent family photo and that was the goal! (However, looking back I would never put Carson or any other child in a snowman sweater vest again. Just not quite my style. I thought it would be cute for the season, but poor kid doesn't look so hot!)

To all my Loyal Readers

Of course I say that with a big smile cuz I know there aren't too many of you! But I am glad there are a few of you who want to know what is going on with the Howards. I have had serious computer issues with photos but now they are resolved so I will get my buns in gear and hopefully start updating this blog over the next few weeks! Cross your fingers! (Mine are!)