Happy 30th Birthday to ME!

I just love turning 30. Again. And again. And again. :)

This year, I had three days of birthday celebrating. The girls' school was closed on Monday the 27th, So I decided I wanted a family day at the movies and we saw Tangled!




It was awesome! Amazing! I loved it. Can't wait to buy it. :) Enough said.

Then on my actual birthday (Tues the 28th) Jimmy and I put the girls in school for a day of play (no classes during Christmas break). And he and I snuck off to the movies again to see The Fighter, based on a true story out of Lowell, MA and starring my OTHER man, Mark Wahlberg. Luckily Jimmy is ok with, and probably slightly sympathetic, to my pathetic obsession with him. :)



PS I forgot to mention that I stopped at Paradise Bakery on the way to the movies and got one of my favorite lunches (Thai Chicken Wrap with soup) to eat during the movie. I love that Harkins Theatres let you bring in whatever you want. :)



After the movies we grabbed the kids and put Ryen in for a nap and Ella with an activity so Mommy could lounge on the couch and read a book! Then it was off to Grimaldi's for dinner with my babies and hubby!





Then we headed over to the play area so the girls could have some fun before heading to Dairy Queen for a birthday blizzard.



The girls sang me Happy Birthday and we shared it. Happy Birthday to me! :)

Zoo Lights

We wanted to take the kids to Zoo Lights on Christmas Night. But we were having some... uh hem... behavioral issues let's say. So we didn't feel it would be enjoyable, nor did we feel we wanted to reward said behavioral issues with a fun family outing. So we went the next night... on the 26th.

I always love seeing all the lights at the Zoo (over 3 million!!) but I have to say that I am thinking it is getting a little over rated. It cost us $24 to go see these lights and $6 for popcorn. And we were in and out in 90 minutes. So since next year Ryen is no longer free and it will cost us $32 just to get in, so I am thinking some snacks, blankets, circle k hot chocolates, throwing the red wagon in the back of the SUV and driving around to real cool neighborhood displays would be better for next year. :) I DO however, love all the photos I get!! Our favorites (most of which were Ella's favorite color... PURPLE!):





The girls loved the Talking Giraffe this year and he asked them their names etc which they LOVED.



We also had some Carousel Fun!




We had a good time!




More pics...

Merry Christmas 2010

The presents are all wrapped. Everything is under the tree and separated into piles. Jimmy and I are wiped and ready for bed, just praying the girls will sleep a little later than usual. And this is my Mandy waiting very impatiently for her rawhide bone that she knew was wrapped and waiting on the table. She even tried whimpering to get us to break down and give it to her early on Christmas Eve. too cute...



Then... it's finally here! Christmas morning. Our babies slept in til 7am! YAY! And yes as crazy as that sounds 7am IS sleeping in to our early risers. So Jimmy and I were stoked!

We tried to have the chaos be organized, but it was just too hard with two kids so young, excited and impatient. My Mother wanted me to skype her so she could watch the kids open the gifts from her and Grandpa. But due to what time they had to be at my Sister's I had to have the girls open theirs first. So the laptop is on the floor and the girls are trying to open presents while Nana, Grandpa and Auntie Lori look on. And I am trying to bake cinnamon rolls in the oven for breakfast, courtesy of my friend Lisa.



I missed half of what they opened. And trying go get them to open things one at a time or take turns so we could see who got them what, was NOT happening. Jimmy finally told me to let it go and just let them tear into everything. So we did. :)



The presents that were the biggest hits...






I am slightly sad to say we didn't do anything, or go anywhere on Christmas. I didn't even get out of my jammies all day. Which is a first for me. But I tried not to focus on our lack of anything to do or anywhere to go and just enjoyed time with my family. Ella gave me like 5 hair and make up "make-overs". Ryen baked me 15 dozen Melissa and Doug cookies and our new Penbo Penguin "hatched" her baby penguin about 40 times! LOL. We did have a nice rib eye roast dinner too! yummy! Here are some MORE photos of our chaotic cozy Christmas.

Jimmy and I opening presents!



The doggies opening their presents...



The girls opening their stockings...



Ella gave her doll head a makeover for a long time, until she decided a make-over on a real person (me) would be more fun.



My husband puts this "roaring fire" on in every room of the house for me every Christmas so that I can feel like it is cold, wintry, and Christmas here. And because he knows how bad I wish we had a fireplace. LOL. It's really quite cute.



And Ella kept saying "just relax by the fire Mommy" as she was giving me my makeovers! So hilariously adorable.



Hoping everyone had a memorable Christmas this year! :)