Jelly Belly Factory!

Aunt Angie, Lily and my mom came to visit us for a few days! It was so much fun to have them in town. They even brought their dogs so Penny had friends to play with as well! We did NOT want them to leave...ever! Although we just hung out most of the time, enjoying each others company, eating yummy Kinder's BBQ and relaxing, we did have some fun adventures as well. We decided to go to the Jelly Belly factory! My mom left a couple days before Angie and Lily did, so she did not get to go with us. :( 

Maybe next time Nana!

 The tour of the factory was awesome! Brandon and Lily had a great time looking at all the jelly beans that were being made. It really was amazing! Our tour guide explained every step in the bean making process. They let you sample Jelly Belly's throughout the tour so that made it super exciting. ;) 

They don't allow you to take pictures inside though...bummer!

After the tour was over they gave each person a little box of beans to take home. That made this guy very happy!

This is the sample bar. SO much fun to try all the different flavors! There are even gross flavors like booger, tooth paste, baby wipes and canned dog food! 

John told Brandon that he could pick out ANY flavor and he would try it! Brandon chose "rotten egg" for John to eat. He said it was so disgusting...and he spit it out! Ha! What a funny dad!

 The kids ate so many jelly beans that day! 

 Thank you for visiting us! We love you! 

Penny the Puggle and Piano Practice!

The only thing we have been doing for the past two weeks is potty training this cute little thing. What a lot of work! It's really like having a new baby in the house!! Good thing we think she is adorable and totally worth the work. ;) 

 Brandon has started taking piano lessons and he is loving it. He really likes his teacher so that makes it even more fun. So far is likes to practice and never complains. Hope it stays that way!

our new little sweetie...

We are so in love with our new Puggle! After searching for weeks we found the dog of our dreams, and she flew in all the way from Oklahoma to join our family! We love her so much already!

Brandon's new buddy.

Giving some kisses.

We just love her BIG ears! So floppy and soft!

She is super active and loves to play with her toys. What a cute lil thing! Now Brandon just needs to figure out what to name her!

This boy...

He

makes me laugh

Every. Single. Day.

I am so grateful that I get to be his mom.

I am so thankful for my little man. Without him, life would be very boring!

Christmas and New Year's Eve!

We went home to Southern California for Christmas. We had such an amazing time with our families.

Aunt Julie and Brandon made a wallet out of old Kool-Aid Jammer pouches! She ALWAYS has something fun up her sleeve...no wonder Brandon wont leave her side!

A few of us went to the movies. SO fun for Brandon to be with his cousins! They are

hands down, his absolute BEST buddies in the world!

Nana helped the grandkids each make a gift for their mom. Brandon made me this beautiful tree with velvet ribbon. I love it!

On Christmas Eve we spent time at Aunt Wendy's house. The kids played our traditional "The Night Before Christmas" game. We read the story of the birth of Christ while the kids acted it out (they were in costume thanks to Wendy.) We had "Festivus," (exchanged funny gifts) and ate way too much! The kids decorated cookies for Santa, then we sang Christmas songs while Julie played her guitar. Spending time with the people I love the most...what a great Christmas.

On Christmas morning we spent time at Nana and Papa John's. Brandon got lots of fun things. Who knew that Santa would come to TWO places! ;)

My two favorite guys got remote control cars. They had fun racing them on the sidewalk and in the street.

Later we went to Grandpa and Mary's for another celebration.

The family.

That evening we went to Grammie and Grampie's house for yet another celebration! Boy was it a full day!

Brandon and Donovan shooting it up with their new guns.

Brandon with his Papa and Nana on John's side.

Brandon got a ton of LEGOS for Christmas and Uncle Greg was nice enough to help him put some together. We LOVE that guy!

Brandon received some Build-A-Bear bucks for Christmas so he got to pick out a cute stuffed animal.

He went up and paid for it all by himself. :) He loves doing things like that!

We had a yummy lunch at a nearby Indian food restaurant.

We got to visit some wonderful friends while we were "home." Here is Brandon and his sweet friend Brie. They have known each other and been friends since they were born. :) We also got to see our friends the Kilnovsky's. Didn't get a picture with them but we sure had a great visit.

Grammie and Grampie took us to see Disney on Ice! It was amazing and so much fun for the kids AND grown-ups!

Back in Northern California we celebrated a quiet New Year's Eve. My poor John was sick and really didn't feel like doing much. I had to drag him out to eat that night. He is such a sweetie and put on a happy face even though he felt terrible.

At home we celebrated by making treats, creating our New Year's resolutions and watching the ball drop. :)

John slept most of the evening, but woke up just in time to count down with us!

What a fantastic beginning to a brand new year! We can't wait to see what 2011 has in store!