Tilden Park Carousal and Santa

One of our favorite Christmas traditions is to go see the Santa at Tilden Park. We love the carousal year round but at Christmas it's magical. Everything is all light up, Santa is soooo sweet, $1 hot chocolate, and carousaling till our boys hearts are content. I look forward to it every year. 

Weston was super talkative to this Santa.... letting him know he wanted "lots of trains and lots of tracks and Holdie wants a ball." I've never talked about what Holden may want so it was sweet to see him thinking about his brother.

Puddle Jumping

Michelle and I dragged the boys downtown to set up early for the Livermore tree lighting. Like really early and in the rain. We're for sure turning into parade freaks. The boys were thrilled to find themselves some giant puddles which soaked them head to toe. Oh to be a kid again. 

Livermore Tree Lighting

We finally got it together and went to the tree lighting and parade this year. We've turned into crazy parade people that go in the morning, set up a ton of chairs for our crew, show up late, and then crawl over everyone to get to our chairs. Part of the memories I guess. Us and the neighbs all met up the Alehouse {along with everyone else in Livermore} to eat before the parade. Chaotic Fun. The boys loved the floats garbage trucks and trailers with lights. And then the icing on the cake was Santa riding up on a firetruck and lighting up the tree. Gotta love small town Christmas fun. 

Visiting Santa

We saw Santa over the weekend... when the night Santa was on shift. I'm a little annoyed. Night Santa is not very jolly, not very Santa-ish, doesn't ask what the kids want for Christmas, and just kind of boring. I want a re-do and I might talk myself into it before Christmas. Holden loved Santa and kept staring him down and smiling. Weston was unamused by the mute Santa who I had to do the talking for. For example, "Santa, can the boys tell you what they want?" Sigh. 

Chopping Down The Christmas Tree

I really wanted a white Christmas tree this year... so I spent a couple of weeks begging Cameron to invest in a white tree. That didn't go over so well. Something about me changing my mind every other day regarding my style and what I like. Hmmmmm. I plead the 5th. His peace offering was chopping down our own tree and I'm glad we did. Turns out we created a lot of fun memories, probably more than I would have pulling my fake white tree out of a box. 

A friend recommended Frosty's and it is such a gorgeous, family friendly farm. We'll be back. 

A few things I want to remember: 

-how Weston was so afraid we were lost as we wandered in and out of the trees

-how Cameron and I seriously examined each branch of each tree to make sure it was the right one... like we were choosing a house or something. 

-how much the boys loved the scalding hot chocolate

-how Cameron and I found "the perfect tree" right after we chopped ours down

-our new favorite breakfast joint, The Los Gatos Cafe

The Bun Is In the Oven

Here we go again.... round two with the bun in the oven costume. Our timing is really great apparently {round one here}. This little babe is making it's appearance the beginning of May and we are super excited! 

Trick Or Treating {2012}

Halloween is for sure the best holiday. Well, next to Christmas of course. Weston wanted to be a train engineer since July {because that's when I start talking about Halloween}. I kind of tried to change his mind a few times but it just wasn't happening. He was so happy with his costume and that just made me happy. Holden was the cutest little Max {from "Where the Wild Things Are"} and surprisingly kept his hat on the whole time. It's fun to raise a second child cause they seriously just do everything the first does. Holden was so into trick or treating and raced up to every step as fast as his monster legs would take him. Weston was completely obsessed with the night too and I can hardly wait till next year. 

We're missing Conner and Haley in this pic but we got most of the littles to sit still for about 10 seconds. We've been soooo lucky to have such good friends in the neighborhood.  

{Top: Weston, Conner, Ava, Brayden}

{Bottom: Evan, Holden, Lucas}

Holden: 18 Months

Holden is my little trouble maker these days. He's into everything, climbs up on top of everything, and does anything in his power to keep up with Weston. He's never far from Weston's side. He's been loving nursery at church and I think he's loved having Weston in there with him. Holdie loves: sweets, trains, trucks, swings, wrestling and sword fighting, cheddar cheese, olives, homemade smoothies, music and dancing, Gymboree, yelling "no," standing on the kitchen stool, and orange tic tacs. Holdie is not a fan of t.v., being snuggled,  eating meals, having his ears cleaned, reading books, going to bed, and pretty much sleep in general. I'm hoping the sleep thing turns around reaaaaal soon. We love you Holdie! 

Neidig Family Photos {2012}

We took advanatage of all of my siblings being in the same place and my mom organized family photos. The photographer said we were the tallest family she's ever photographed. Well, the tall family was just glad she brought a stool so we all weren't stuck with double chins. 

The grandparents and grandkids shot didn't go quite as planned.... but it sure was funny watching it take place.

 

Family Photos {2012}

Keeping with tradition, we had our family photos taken while we were visiting family in Utah. Jylare took our photos up the canyons and the colors of the leaves kinda made up for the horrible mood the boys were in. At one point they were both laying on the ground screaming. Um, ok. We didn't even get any individual shots of Holden cause he was crying most of the time. Only makes for more 2012 family picture memories :) 

 

Pumpkin Patch {2012}

We had a blast at the pumpkin patches this year.... although I think we went less times than last year {if that is even possible}.  Probably a good thing since I'm probably a bit too obsessed. We made the rounds between Joan's, EJs, and G&M's. Then we hit up a patch in Utah and Arizona while we were traveling. Cornbelly's in Utah is still the best... now if only they could add a fourth pumpkin patch in Livermore and call it Cornbelly's.