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Old Friends Are The Best!

We spent a week in California visiting old friends and family! I miss it there so much. I guess life keeps going and kids keep growing even though we aren't there anymore!

First stop...the Maestas & Vasquez's...we forgot to take pictures! Darn! We got to meet Toni & Jeff's new baby boy, Brayden. So cute! Alexa is even taller than Toni now! (I wish I had pictures. {sigh})

Ashtyn (14) & Alexa (13)
Ashtyn was Lexi's first BFF (and cousin)!

Next up were the Feragens where I found Ashtyn is taller than me! I remember when Alexa and Ashtyn decorated cookies for Santa while sitting on the table. This time the older cousins hungout upstairs while we decorated with the lil kids and only came down to eat them!

Cookie Snatchers!

Cameron, Brooke, & Dylan back there in the dark

Emily in deep concetration

Emily (8) & Brooke (7)

We also got to see the Thompsons and The Kelleys (minus Billy) and meet Michelle's new little Julia! She was absolutely beautiful!

Me, Heidi with Julia, and Michelle
(I wish I could resurface our old college grad photo)

Emily loves her babies!

One of my new fave photos:
My girl's girls~ Hannah, Julia & Emily
Emily & Jack
American Girl Mommas Emily & Hannah
with Molly & Rebecca
Noah & Alexa didn't leave the Wii...Go Beatles

Disneyland

The Merriest Place on Earth to celebrate Christmas!

Alexa with Aunt Shellie & Marlund Hale

The Mouseketeers

Because we anticipated a crowd each of us picked our top two rides as a goal for the day
Stephen: Indiana Jones & Buzz LightYear (Jenny won!)
Jenny: The Haunted Mansion & It's a Small World (cuz it's Christmas themed)
Alexa: Autopia & Space Mountain
Emily: Dumbo & Nemo
*We got on all and more*

We met the rest of the Hale Family and Papa Dennis and Robin at Brennen's Jazz Kitchen for Christmas Dinner. The girls enjoyed their first beignets.

Papa & Robin loved their gift!
What a Merry Christmas!!!!

Christmas

The girls waiting for Nana & Grandma to get up
so they can empty their stockings...
(they didn't wait very long, but it was still funny)

The Top Christmas Gifts of 2009:

Mom & Dad: A Cruise to Mexico with friends

Alexa: Snowboard, Boots, & Bindings
(She was jumping for JOY!)

Emily: ipod Nano & Molly American Girl Doll

Cookie Time!

One of the best parts of Christmas is

Christmas Cookies!!!

The girls from my annual cookie swap

Run! Santa Run!

Lexi and I took part in the The Great Santa Run! We are part of the Guinness World Record for Most Santas in one place!

It's ALEXA CLAUSE!

Our noses are RED from the cold 40 degree day!
Come on ride that train...ride it!

Will the real Santa please say HO!

At the Start line with our neighbor, Shellie
The sea of 8000 Santas
We had soo much fun. Next year the whole family is going!

Thanksgiving

So much to be THANKFUL for:

Silly Grandpas

Cuddly Cousins

Lots of family

Grandmas & Great Uncles

Aunties and Daddies

Nanas

Papas and Grandmas

and food topped with candy!

Getting in the Christmas Spirit

We spent the day serving together for The Gift of Lights. We had a lot of fun decorating the Santa picture areas, wrapping (fake) presents and unwrapping candy canes!

Santa'a bench is all ready for his visit!

Stick It!

Emily is loving her new team and coaches at Flip For Me! She had a great time at the "Hannah Montana..The Climb" themed meet today! I love watching how the girls on her team are really bonding and supporting each other. She is learning so much about hard work, dedication, and team-work!

First event: Vault. Look at her go!

A pep talk from Coach Mariana before bars.

Funny eyeball shot

Emily's goal today was her mount...straight knees, straight knees

Help from Morgan

Testing the medals

Freckley Faces!