January

We started off the new year with a "first" for both the kids... bowling! I thought they were still going to be too young, but I was totally wrong. They both really enjoyed it, even Skyler. With the bumpers up, some fun friends to play with, and Daddy's help, they had a fun and successful game.

Hunter has started racing at the track now. His first few times, he was just happy to get around the track without falling and lately he has been getting faster and actually able to "keep up with the pack". He loves showing off his much earned wounds to his friends at school :)

With some left over birthday money, I decided to go ahead and splurge on something I have been wanting since we moved into our house... a giant canvas wall group for our front room. Love it!

Ever since receiving Monster Jam tickets on Christmas from Skyler and I, the boys have been looking forward to their "boys night out" this month.  They had a great time cheering on Grave Digger and hanging with some neighborhood buddies.

Skyler surprised us this month by climbing out of her crib. So she is now in her new "big girl" bed and so proud of herself. She also let me know that she is ready to use the potty. As soon as I put her on the toilet, she went potty and clapped for herself and its been a pretty easy road ever since. I am still scarred from the first round of potty training (which is still a daily battle)  and insist she wears pulls ups, but like everyone says, girls are so different. Thank GOD! lol

Nana and Tom brought over the newest member of the family, Bella. She is the cutest little scotty dog and Hunter looooooves her and is generally pretty good with her. Skyler, on the other hand loves her too but shows her love like a 2 year old. Kicking, hitting and squeezing. Poor Bella.

December

Christmas was beyond fun, making memories, and enjoying every last minute. Our "elf on the shelf", Elfis made his appearances each morning in a new spot, and the kids couldn't wait to find him. Skyler woke up every morning saying "elfie? elfie?" They took turns pulling a Christmas activity note out of our advent calendar every morning. We went to see the Christmas program at our church, went to a party at a neighbor's house where Santa made a surprise visit, saw "Snoopy On Ice" with Oma and Opa, read lots of Christmasy books and watched lots of Christmasy movies. Hunter had his own Christmas program with his preschool where he sang songs, bounced in a bounce house and danced with Jade (his girlfriend that week ;)

We made Christmas cookies, they both had a blast helping make the cookies, but the best part, of course, was the sprinkles! 

One day we made a Gingerbread house with Oma  and Grandma Converse.

I turned the big 30 this year. I spent the weekend shopping with my mom and got a lot of new clothes to start out my new decade. It was exactly what I needed and wanted; some ME time :) Along with some beautiful flowers and shopping money I got a special new Christmas decoration to put on the dinner table every December, a Christmas pyramid that spins by candle light. So cool, and the kids were mesmerized. 

Love this year's photo with Santa!

Christmas Eve was just as fun as always at Grandma MaryLou's. Santa stopped by with some gifts, white elephant gift exchange, yummy food, and quality time with the Ehrlich clan. Not to mention the dozens of presents from the whole generous group.

Christmas morning... So many presents, so much mess, so much to be thankful for!

before...

and after...

                 

Hunter and his new Christmas Train from Santa...

Skyler and her new kitchen from Santa...

Stockings.. Hunter had spent most of December on the naughty list. Santa must have decided he was nice enough to bring him presents under the tree, but only coal and a toothbrush in his stocking. Hunter didn't care in the slightest. :)

Nana, Tom, and Grandpa Pierce all came over for breakfast and presents. Skyler got the most special gift of all; a pair of diamond earrings made from Vicki's Mom's ring that she will receive when she is older. 

Later that morning at Oma and Opa's house... presents, presents, and more presents...

Christmas Night at Grandma Converse's we finally got a picture of her with all of her great-grandbabies.

These are the two new members to the family, Max and London. The love we all have for these babies made this Christmas truly special even though it was the first we had to spend without their dear Uncle Jake. The cousins, as we sat around the "kids table" shared a toast to him and wish more than anything he could have been there to hug us all and hold his sweet new niece and nephew. A special Merry Christmas up in heaven to Jake and Paka, we know you are watching down on us.

To end the year, we took the kids to downtown Temecula and went Ice Skating. It was the first time for both the kids and they LOVED it. Skyler got to ride on a giant seal and Hunter stayed on his feet almost the whole time. We made it home just before New York's countdown and rang in the new year banging on pots and pans in the living room. What a blessed year we have had and now looking forward to what 2014 has in store.. :)

(Family pic 2013- photography by Uncle Andrew of course :)

November

Once Halloween excitement had passed, we started focusing on Thanksgiving and even Christmas anticipation. We had a "steak sunday" at Grancy and Papa's where the kids all played and we got to meet the new Fisher baby, Reese. She is so beautiful and small, Hunter and Skyler both loved giving her hugs and kisses.

The following weekend Hunter and I went with Oma and Opa, Andrew and Grandma Converse to see the high school production of  The Wizard of Oz. Hunter liked it but he is still not quite capable of sitting still very long. Skyler spent that day having some fun girl time with Nana. 

Chase and I both had a really busy work month, he had very few days off and so we really spent some quality time when we had the chance. One day we went to the skate park where he and Hunter rode their bikes and skateboard. Another day we spent with Nana and Tom at the clubhouse for a pre-Thanksgiving potluck followed by darts, of course. The following day Hunter and Skyler helped Chase put up the Christmas lights, it felt a little wrong doing it before Thanksgiving, but we figured we better do it while he has the chance.

Then on Thanksgiving day we started back at Nana and Tom's for breakfast and Chase put up Grandpa Gene's Christmas lights.  After that we went to Aunt Donna's place in Marina Del Rey and had a beautiful dinner, as usual and loved spending the time with Grancy and Papa, Grandma Gigi,  and more family.

On "Black Friday" we went down to good old Costco, (in the rain!) and picked up the biggest, most beautiful tree we've ever had. It was so big the stump didn't even fit in our tree stand, but Chase figured out a way to shove it in eventually. We spent the day decorating it and listening to Christmas music. This is always one of my favorite days of the year.  Especially now that the kids are getting older and really can appreciate the excitement of the season. 

Hunter is very excited to go see Santa soon so that he can tell him what he wants for Christmas this year- The North Pole Express!!! and to tell him that his sister would really like a kitchen. We have shopped all around and he is sure that is what he wants the most. But he is a little worried that Santa wont be able to fit Skyler's kitchen down the chimney ;) Can't wait to soak up every minute of this next month ahead.