A vacation for the New Year

Caulder at the beach near Anaheim

Me and Kess at a beach near Anaheim

The gang - Grandma Deedee, Grandpa Dick, Caulder, Uncle Joe, and Aunt Denice heading into Disneyland

The favorite ride - The Matterhorn

Aunt Denice

There's no crying at Disneyland - Well maybe if we've been going all day and it's 11:00 pm

Having fun at 'It's tough to be a Bug'

Enjoying the 'tame' rides with Grandma Deedee

Monster's Inc - Strangely the only Disney characters we saw in the park.

Entering Joshua Tree National Park

Hanging out in a tree at JT NP

One wacky dinner

Swimming in the pool in San Diego

The high surf

The visitors

The beach in Oceanside near San Diego

Shamu getting us wet - Yes Denice insisted on sitting in the 4th row of the 'splash zone'

Shamu 1 and Shamu 2

The sisters

It's 2012 and we're going to Disneyland! My family decided to meet in Southern California this year for a post Holiday vacation. Grandma Deedee and Grandpa Dick along with Aunt Denice and Uncle Joe met in Anaheim just after New Years. We stayed in a condo Near Disneyland and took in the park over three days. It was not only a first trip to Wallyworld for Caulder and Kessler, but also a first trip for Mat and Joe. I was a little worried that Caulder and Kessler would be a little too young for Disney land, but it turns out that they were just the right age. They could go on everything (but Indiana Jones), and had a great time. They loved 'rides'. We also enjoyed the hot (85 degree) weather, as did many other people. The park was packed. After three days in Anaheim, we took a trek over to Joshua Tree National Park, and then went on to San Diego. In San Diego we enjoyed the beach, Seaworld, and the San Diego Zoo (actually Mat, Kessler and I did not go). We had fun catching up and seeing the sights.

Christmas 2011

Kessler Checking out his loot

Grandma Katie snuggling up in her new blanket

The aftermath

Happy boys

Caulder

Messy Kessy

Bridger getting in the spirit

We had a very quiet Christmas this year. Due to our upcoming vacation, we decided to lay low and spend Christmas at home in Boise. Grandma Katie came over for presents and breakfast. Caulder and Kessler finally understood Christmas this year, and were excited to wake up and see what Santa delivered. After the festivities, we laid low and had a quiet day and small dinner.

Thunder Mountain Railroad

The train ride

Caulder, Kessler, and Owen visiting with Santa

Robyn visiting the North Pole

Deboarding the train

We decided to take the train to the North Pole this year. We boarded the Thunder Mountain rail line in Horseshoe Bend and rode all the way to the North Pole!!!! I was really surprised to find that there was no snow at the North Pole. I guess the entire world is having as dry and warm of a winter as we are having. The train ride was fun. We were visited by Mr. and Mrs. Clause as well as other characters. At the North pole we checked out Santa's village, then headed back to Idaho.

Happy 4th Birthday!!!!!!!

Getting instructions (yes there are even rules at Birthday parties)

Caulder and Kessler having fun on the trampoline

Owen on the trampoline

Avery jumping high on the trampoline

Caulder, Kessler, and Owen in the jump house

Jackson, Owen, Matthew, and Caulder

Kessler say cheese

Matthew, Jaylinn, Romey, Jackson, and Keaton enjoying snacks

Caulder and Kessler turned 4 on December 5th! They were both very excited about their Birthday this year so we decided to have a big party with their friends. On their actual Birthday we had a small party with their grandma, then on the following weekend we had a party with friends at one of the local gymnastics facilities. The kids had the run of the facility, and got to try out all of the gymnastic equipment. The favorites were the many trampolines and the jump house. The parents even had fun on the equipment. I would imagine their were a few sore backs and necks the next day. We tried to limit the gifts, but they still got lots of fun toys. It was a fun day, and so nice to leave the set-up and clean-up to someone else:) Happy Birthday Boys!!!!!

Cutting down the 2011 Christmas tree

On the way to get the tree

Searching for just the right one

And here it is!

We ventured up to Garden Valley this year to chop down our Christmas tree. We found a nice 10' tree, species unknown, chopped it down and drove it back to Boise. Little did we know, this would be about the most snow we would see this year.

Thanksgiving



Our small Thanksgiving dinner



Olive fingers

We had a quiet Thanksgiving this year, and stayed in Boise. Mat's dad and Grandma visited for the weekend from Bozeman, and his mom joined us on Thanksgiving. While they were here we did some shopping and checked out the festival of trees.