Christmas 2010

This Christmas the kids really enjoyed themselves, in between fighting over new toys. Next year they open gifts on opposite sides of the room with their backs facing each other.
Christmas eve started with meeting Sal and Steph for lunch down in the valley.
Teresa was having a good time with her aunt Stephy.

That evening we were off to our traditional party at the Hill's house. A fun night had there by all. It is always fun to see all those people we only see once a year. All of our family, my sister and Matt included were there.

We stay the night at my mom's house. Santa only knows how to get there right now. We woke up to lots of presents. Kevin wearing his onsie Sal got him for Christmas. He LOVES it.

My dad got a red rider bee be gun, well not really, but he got an air gun to shoot the squirls on the property. He was like a little boy.

Mary was so happy to finally get her baby dolls she has been waiting for. Nana bought them months ago and Mary has not forgotten that they were there for xmas.

The girls looked so cute together in their matching PJ's aunt Corie gave them.

Mary got her own video game by leapfrog. She loves it.

Teresa's favorite thing she got was an electric toothbrush Santa brought her. She brushed her teeth all day long, and still wants to.

They got the Elefun game. Here they are playing it. Of course, Teresa is naked because she was trying on all her new clothes.

next we were off to Linda's house for the afternoon/dinner.

The girls had a great time with their cousins. I wish we all lived closer.

The guys were having a little trouble trying to figure out how to start the bbq.

It was a fun and successful Christmas for all. Now off to the new year and more fun times. 2011, Holly COW!

Yesterday, in the pouring rain, I needed to do some running around. I was not looking forward to doing this with two kids running in and out of stores. So, Michelle was nice enough to say I could drop them off at her house so I could run around by myself. All three girls play so nice together. Teresa says that Brooke is 'her Brooke'.
They played dress up

My Baby is TWO

My last baby, Teresa, turned 2 on the 17th. So sad to see two years fly by so quick. She is such a joy. She weighs in at 29 pounds and is 35 inches tall. I think she'll be taller than Mary. We will see. She has so much personality. So much fun.

Saturday, 18th, we had a small party at mom's. It was 'Melmo' themed, as Teresa calls Elmo. She enjoyed opening her gifts. She got a couple dolls. She got three outfits and each time she opened one she started taking off her clothes to try it on. It was so funny to watch her.

Teresa and grandma Elsie, Kevin's mom.

Teresa and Nana, my mom.

My grandparents came out from Arizona for her birthday. It was so nice to see them. Teresa enjoyed playing with them.
Below are all the grandparents. My parents at the top. Kevin's parents on the left and my grandparents, Teresa's great grandparents, on the right.

Teresa has lots of family and friends who love her.

She enjoyed her Melmo head cake. Hmmmmm, where to start...............

Fun Family Day

Today we went out on this beautiful 80 degree December day to a petting zoo. We had gotten a coupon for a free entrance for each kid to the petting zoo and a horse ride. Mary enjoyed the horse ride a lot. She rode around a bunch, well got walked around.

Teresa, on the other hand, did NOT want anything to do with sitting on that horse. She cried and just wanted off.

There was no way she was staying on that big hairy thing, even if her sister was having fun. Then we were off to the petting zoo part. Both of them loved that. Feeding the chickens, pot belly pigs, donkey, and other animals. Teresa just wanted to grab the food and throw it on the ground to them.

All of a sudden a pack of geese came out running. Teresa decided to run with them, or chase them.
They had lots of bunnies. Each girl got to hold one.

Teresa feeding the pot belly pigs

After having some fun with the kids for an hour we were all hungry. We passed a cool looking restaurant on our way up the canyon. We decided to stop for some lunch. A total rustic biker bar kinda place. There were a bunch of bikers there hanging out. We sat outside so the kids could run around. They had fun, and we got to relax for a bit. A good family day it was.

Friend Fun

I had to give my rental car back yesturday. I was so sad to give it up. A brand new car for a rental car was lotsa fun. Well, I was in a pickle what to do to return the car and get my car back from the shop with TWO kids and TWO car seats to lug around. So, I thought hard and called my good friend Michelle. She was so kind to say she's watch my munchkins while I did all this. So after the gym we all went back to their house. We went inside and there were so many new and fun toys that they didn't even realize I left. It is so nice how well her daughter, Brooke, and my kids play together. So i was off to drop off the car and get my mommy car back. Picked up lunch and back to the house I went to get the kids. They were all ahving so much fun when I got thee. Thanks Michelle!!

Santa 2010

This year we decided to take our Santa picture with cousin Kiah, since she was in town. Well, Teresa and Kiah wanted nothing to do with Santa. Teresa cried just sitting on my lap next to him. We finally got her to calm down and take a good picture. Every time we say the word Santa or she sees a Santa anything she says 'scared'. Poor thing. Mary was the same at that age. It's just the age. One of these years I will not have to be in the picture.

Thanksgiving 2010 we drove up to Morro Bay to be with all the Brochtrups. Kevin's brother, Gary, lives up there right on the beach. We left bright and early Thanksgiving day, thanks to the girls waking us up at 5:45 a.m. It was beautiful day and a fun time with the family. It is not often, easy, to get this whole family together. They are all pretty spread out. We had everyone except three. It was really nice.

Below is Kevin and his brother Roy.

Here is Kevin's dad, sister in the middle, and Roy's Girlfriend Renay.

We were so lucky to have Kevin's nephew be able to join us with his daughter. They now live in New Mexico and just happen to be able to be out for the fun time. It was so nice to spend time with them and the kids had a great time too. Steve will go back and his daughter, Kiah, gets to stay for two months. It will be so much fun.

Cousin Jenn, below, is always fun to have around too. She is our world traveler and we were lucky to get her too.

Below is cousin Stephanie. Mary loves her Stephy.

This is Katie. Rock on girl!!

They were having fun dancing in the kitchen while dinner was being made.

We stayed the night in Morro Bay at a hotel. In the morning we were off to pick up wine in Paso Robles, which is just a half hour from where we were. The kids were really good going in and out of a few wineries. Luckily they have things for kids to be entertained. Teresa did NOT want her picture taken, as you can see.

Here they are walking out of our first winery. Teresa has a dancing skirt on that Mary got from Aunt Margeaux.

Taking pictures with the wine barrels

At Rabbit Ridge winery they have rabbit ears to play with and take pictures. Mary had fun with that. Teresa wanted nothing to do with it.

It was a really nice couple of days. The kids were good. We missed being with my family, but they were off having fun camping at a Day In The Dirt trying to sell their new clothing line. Matt and Amy started a new clothing line and this was the first voyage for their company.

P.S.....I may not be in ANY of these pictures, but I was there. = )