Christmas in the O.C.

We got to go to California this year for Christmas! We stayed with my Mom at Grandma's house and my whole family was there and we got to be all together for the first time in 5 years! It was such a fun trip and quite the adventure for our little family of 4! This pretty much sums up the vacation from Leila's point of view ;)

The first day we were there my Mom and Sisters and I got down to business and spent the whole day baking all of our family favorites....Banana jumbos, chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter kisses, caramels and divinity. It was surreal to be baking all of Grandma's "traditionals" in her kitchen but without her there. Maci and Cambria were more than happy to be our taste testers ;) Sounds like a lot of treats? Don't worry they were completely devoured by the end of our 6 day visit! Talk about holiday pounds!!!



We rewarded our hard work with pedicures later that night. Much needed and greatly enjoyed.

Of course I couldn't say no to the woman peddling handmade jewelry outside the store, so I bought myself a new pair of $3 earrings and a toe ring to match ;)

Gwamma relaxing

None of us felt up to the idea of taking two 2 1/2 year olds to Disneyland so we opted for Downtown Disney instead. It was awesome.....it was just asgood as Disneyland in their eyes and MUCH cheaper emotionally and monetarily. They LOVED the Legos store! My pictures aren't great but that is Tanner and Maci standing under a massive Giraffe made of legos.

I tried to put Tanner up for sale, but he didn't really pass as a lego ;)

When we got to the 'Princess' store Maci walked right by all the costumes, crowns, jewelry and dolls, and walked right up to the Princess and the Frog book then promptly laid down on the florr in the middles of the store to read it. She refused to get up until she had her fill. Weird.

It looks like she is putting this crown on, actually she is taking it off. She was not a fan.

We had a blast messing around and trying things on.....

Han, Karly and Me convincing everyone that we are princesses.

Convinced?

Family Photo....Maci wasn't sure what the heck was going on.

They next day we all went to Sea World except for Karly who was not feeling well at all :(

Tanner attempted to ride his bike there (from Anahiem to San Diego) but ended up getting a flat and only being able to ride about 15 miles. He hid his bike in the nrush alongside the off ramp so that we could pick it up on our way. What a stud!

Maci loved Shamu! She sat on Gwamma's lap and chanted the WHOLE time! She loved almost all the animals, tolerated a few but she absolutely HATED the manatees! Really? Manatees? Yeah, the sea cow. The 2 ton mammal that does nothing remotely interesting. She was terrified.

Maci and Mommy getting ready for Shamu to make an appearance.....

Aunt Cara, Aunt Hannah and Gwamma in Shamu stadium. I was so giddy! It was just like I remembered as a little girl. I Love Sea World!

Daddy doing a quick diaper change while saving seats.

Cambria devoured every minute of the day and played her guts out! She was down for the count by 5pm ;)

Daddy and Maci sleeping in after our big adventure......Maci didn't appreciate sleeping in the closet much and ended up sleeping with us most nights. We were definitely grateful to be staying in the master bedrrom with the king size bed.....we hardly even knew she was there! Thanks Mom :)

It wouldn't be right to visit Anahiem without making a stop at the Pancake House. We played with the girls on the same playgoround we played on as kids while we waited to be crammed into a tiny corner of the small old place. The pancakes are AmAzInG!!! And, true to form I downed all six without even blinking. Pancakes are my favorite....Pancake House Pancakes are unbeatable! The memories of eating there every saturday with Grandma Helen make it even more special. I miss her so much! It was the first time that I had been back down to California since her passing. So surreal. So many happy memories. So many adventures.

It was amazing to be in the warmth. I got to go running everyday in 60 degree weather, breathing CLEAN air. I got to walk barefoot in the sand on the beach, I got to smell the ocean air. I LOVE IT!!

By the end of the week Cambria and Maci had had more than enough of each other! They did great but a week is a long time :)

We spent our last morning there at the beach, exploring the tide pools and chsing seagulls...

I am convinced that there is NO better way to spend Christmas! I didn't miss the snow one bit!







I found this sea anenome that was shaped just like a heart, at least it looks like one to me......it was the last picture I took before losing my Cool Pix to the frigid salty pool.

How adorable is the beautifully mischevious little angel?

She knows how to play and drinks up every adventure she can find and doesn't hesitate to conjour one up when life is lacking, we love our Cambs!

We had such an incredivle time. Christmas was great. Being able to spend it with my whole family, in Grandma's house, reminiscing our favorite traditions and mrmories was perfect. It was priceless!