Valentine's Day

 I love the holidays. It's so fun for the kids. I keep all the decorations every year and just get a couple things for them. It really doesn't take much and they love it.

 A little Valentine for them to wake up to. Jocelynn asked me if I was going to put the hearts on the floor. I guess she remembered from last year.

 Grandma and Grandpa left them a bucket of candy. Carter was very excited!

Jocelynn was excited for her Valentines party.

 Daddy left us surprises in the car. He got Carter a Pez candy, Jocelynn a necklace and me a Brighton necklace and Bracelet and sweet card. It was so sweet.

 I was able to go to the class party and it was fun to see her interact with her friends. 

They played a game and had to find their match.

 Yummy ice cream sundaes!

 That evening Daddy met us at Disneyland. We went to California Adventure. It was later then we planned so we decided to stay for the Water show. The kids loved it, especially Jocelynn. We want to go again so we can get closer. 

 We were going to take a picture but then Jocelynn was so excited to see the Little Mermaid up above.

 We had a great Valentine's Day!

Black Tie Party

James called me during the day and said he was asked to attend a Black tie party at the Beverly Wilshire hotel . . . that night. He asked if he should go and if I would go? I kept thinking ok I need a babysitter and something to wear. My mom said she would watch the kids and Melinda said she had dress, shoes, and jewerly to wear. They are my lifesavers and I don't know what I'd do without them. I was so excited to go. The next week was Valentines Day so it was nice for us to get to go out. The guy that asked him to go works for Southern California Edison in the local Public Affairs Department. 

The event was for a regional redevelopment agency in Los Angeles. We got to sit in the front and the food was amazing. We had a salad, and chicken and shrimp and dessert was so good also. They had a lot of things to choose from, a mini apple pie and chocolate strawberries. Most of all I loved just having this time together. James also got to know more people. It was a great night!

Ellen, James Birthday, Oliver

In November of last year, I was lucky and blessed to be able to go to the Ellen show. January of 2012 I went to her birthday show. My friend had an extra ticket and asked if I wanted to go. At the birthday show, she invited us all back to the 12 days of giveaways. All year I looked forward to this. I left with Winter at 5am. The staff told us at 8am that we would be coming back by 2pm. When we came back we were told we were going to a movie. We knew it was with Gladis (she is on Foodnetwork). After the movie we got to go to the show. I have never been so excited. We got to be in the front row. Ellen gave us a $1500 gift card to Target. I cried. I was so grateful. My friend was saying how she just wanted to give her son a good Christmas. I cried for her and me. I was touched by how giving Ellen was. That gift card has helped us so much this year. It will be a moment I will never forget.

 Everyone tells me how much these 2 look alike. After these 2 pictures I couldn't stop laughing because they had they same expressions in both pics. I love these boys!

 James turned 37. He wanted a store bought cake and the kids decorated it. 

 We love him and I'm so grateful he is the father to my children. He works so hard for us.

 I made it through the first semester :) . . . I mean trimester. I didn't get sick but lacked energy. It felt good to be able to start getting things done again!

Baby Oliver was born. He was a big boy 9 pounds 12 ounces. I can't believe we will be having a baby again real soon!

Discovery Science center and Downtown Orange

We took the kids to the Discovery Science Center. They had fake snow and the kids loved it. 

 James likes to go places Saturdays on his days off. We decided to take the kids here and it was fun. THey are still a little too young for some of it but it was a great memory. 

An area to design, draw, build, and see how tornadoes form. 

 Jocelynn loved grocery shopping.

Afterwards we went to Downtown Orange to eat. We went to a place called the "Filling Station." It was really good. Love my little boy!

Daddy hanging a mistletoe over Jocelynn for a kiss.

Christmas

 It was such a wonderful Christmas with the kids. They woke up so excited running down the stairs. We opened presents around 7am. They opened their stockings and Jocelynn couldn't believe Santa brought her the dog that walks. That was her favorite toy and Carter loved his Spiderman and batman outfits. Later we went to my mom and dad's house. 

 I also got my ring back on Christmas Eve. 10 years ago James proposed to me on Christmas Eve so it was special. I lost the diamond months ago and it was nice to be back on my finger!

 Jocelynn had envelopes under the tree. These were our presents. We love her drawings and sweet notes!

Happy New Year!

My mom had hats, horns, and shakers. We had a countdown with the kids at 6pm. They loved going outside and yelling Happy New Year. We came over to my parents the next day and watched football. We are excited for 2013, especially for the new arrival of our sweet baby!