Chipwrecked

We went with a group of about 20 people to watch the new Chipmunks movie "Chipwrecked", which was pretty cute. Then we walked over to Santa Monica Place and had lunch together. By the time the kids played on the whale and we walked home, it was already 5! What a great way to spend the day!

Part of our group heading over to Santa Monica Place

The kids engrossed with Gymboree TV

We walked by Skechers on the Promenade and saw a sign that Hall of Famer Joe Montana would be there in about 15 minutes, so of course, we waited. :)

Candy Cane Lane

Tonight we went with my friend Julie and her family to the famed Candy Cane Lane, where street after street is lit with Christmas cheer. It certainly was a sight to see, with people selling snacks and hot drinks along the way. After walking a few blocks, we went to Star BBQ and ate our hearts out.

Bella, me and Lydia

Candy Cane Lane

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas

A fun-filled day

We started off the morning with gingerbread cookie decorating and storytelling by Mrs. Claus. Someone had tickets to the event and was unable to attend, so she gave me her tickets which she received a month earlier. Santa Monica Place has such wonderful events and for free! Afterwards, we enjoyed free carousel rides at the Pier and took pictures with Santa. The weather was a bit strange, raining randomly throughout the day, so we headed back home for lunch.

Five extra tickets were given to five happy little girls

Storytelling was a bit boring, but it was a cool concept

The girls showing off their face paintings

Our first time on the carousel at the pier

Photo opp with Santa

One of the girls favorite things to do...chase pigeons

Jessica and Tom hosted this month's potluck. They did a great job cleaning up their place and even added a Christmas tree! The adults had a white elephant exchange while the kids each got gifts from a Secret Santa. Don't you just love Christmas?

Sweet kids



I didn't know even that Lydia could hula hoop! Apparently, she practices a lot at school.

And apparently Trung practices at work too!

My afternoon in a nutshell

As I was walking with the girls to the library for a dance workshop, Trung called to inform me that the T-mobile elf was at our local store. He had been following T-mobile on Twitter because the first person to tweet about the elf after seeing it in person would get $1000 and a free $500 phone. Since I was already halfway to the library and Snow was waiting for me, I had to go, but once I arrived, I literally left the girls with Snow and dashed to the store. Since I didn't have a Twitter account (Trung was going to tweet once I got there), it didn't matter that I was there, but fortunately, Trung ended up coming and got runner-up and the $500 free phone. Yay!

First place winner, the elf, and Trung

Since I got back to the library after the performance had begun, I was locked out and couldn't go back in until it ended. At least I got go in afterwards and still watch the lessons.

Lydia prancing around


After the workshop, Snow, her kids, the girls, and I went to The Fairmont Hotel for some hot drinks. It was a really nice hotel and we felt a little out of place with five kids, but the kids were pretty well behaved and really enjoyed their hot chocolates.

Entertaining the kids with Youtube videos

Our little group

Decorating

We purchased Princess themed wall decals from Costco for the girls' room and they have been dying to put them up. So, finally the weekend came and put their favorite princesses next to their beds while Maggie did the other ones.

Lydia put Ariel near her top bunk

Trung insisted using the toy camel's bottom to smooth out the decals

Sophie showing her favorite princess, Snow White

Kinecting

Lydia's classmate Maggie's family invited us over tonight for a potluck and to play Kinect. We ate some delicious pulled pork and chili, and embarrassed ourselves trying to dance with the Kinect. Maggie has three other siblings, so the girls always had someone to play with, which is always a good thing.

Maggie's twin brother Xander and Lydia

Sophie was missing half the evening playing in the kids' room with Marina

The celebrity neighbor James Madio, known for is younger roles in "Hook" and "Band of Brothers"

San Diego Friends

Sabrina and her kids Ava and Pierson came up to LA to visit Disneyland for a few days. After all the fun, they spent the night with us Thursday night and we hung out around Santa Monica this morning. We don't get to see each other that often, so it was fun catching up with her.

Yes, it's true, my 3.5 year old can barely keep her 18-24 months bottoms on

Sabrina, me, and the kids at Santa Monica Place

Christie and her family came over for a simple dinner tonight since our complete families rarely get together. The kids were nice and rowdy, but they had a blast.

Christie's three goofy kids in deep meditation

Like nothing happened

Before heading back to Houston to catch my flight, I had lunch with my old Austin friends and their growing families. We tried to catch up during the little time that I had with them, but of course, it wasn't enough. At least I got to see everyone and their adorable kids.

John, Jamie, Allie, and Ian

Henry, Yuri, and Trevor

Sing, Maggie, and Fiona

Wendy, Nick, Kaitlyn, and Ethan

Jason, Betty, and Brandon

Talking to Daddy before take-off

Tiff getting married

As part of the bridal party (I did a scripture reading), I partook in most of the pre-wedding events. Since I already got my nails back home for Mike's wedding reception, I just made a Starbucks run for the girls. Then after a quick lunch with Wendy, I went to Green Pastures for the rehearsal and Salt Licks for dinner and got my fill of Texas barbeque.

Back together again after a year

Rehearsal

Barbeque buffet

The bridal party

I got a makeover at Sephora in the morning, met Jen for lunch at Threadgill's, and got a haircut all before the wedding. The wedding was beautiful and I am so happy for Tiffany and Albert. Though I was a bit tired, I still joined them downtown afterwards and hit the nightlife...it's been a long time.

The newlyweds


The new family

My new friend Lily and I, yes, that is a turkey on my head

Congrats Tiff and Albert!


Heading downtown in style

Driving solo

Today I left Sophie behind with my parents and drove up to Austin to spend some time with old friends and participate in all of Tiffany's wedding festivities. I arrived around 4 and paid my old next door neighbor Bonnie a little visit. Then I hung out with Sarah and her adorable kids until we had to meet our Happy hour group. We purposely went to Steeping Room first for my favorite Creme Brulee steamer, but just my luck, the espresso machine was broken. Oh well, all the more reason to return to Austin. :)

Justin and Amy, growing up so fast

Happy hour at Jasper's with the ladies