Day 2: Griffith Observatory

As part of our 'lets visit L.A. like we were tourists and exhaust Kelly and our kids' week', we visited the Griffith Observatory. I think I finally found the only thing that is totally free in L.A.! I highly suggest it to everyone because you can go and leave whenever the kids get bored without any guilt of waste. Also, the views are unrivaled and the outdoor seating is perfect for lunch. Next time we go, we want to "hike" on the trails.

Snow Day

Patrick took this week "off" and has decided to act as camp counselor for the week. He cannot be stopped. I barely have the time or energy to write about it. I'll take it slow and start with Day One: The Snow.

Avery has been asking to see snow for some time. So, it was great timing weather-wise to actually make good on a promise and take her! Her first taste of the snow was exactly that-Patrick accidentally hit her in the face with a snowball before her feet ever hit the snow. Good going Dad. She had learned about being "bossy" at school that day and claimed that Daddy was very bossy for having done that. After a few tears shed, we had a great time playing in the snow/sludge.

After we left, Avery said, "I want to come back to the snow but not the cold kind." Funny girl.

Father - Daughter Dance

Avery and Patrick went to their first father daughter dance through Avery's school. Avery thought she was the princess of the ball. It was adorable. They danced, did the hokey-pokey and had cupcakes. A perfect night for a three-year-old!

Falling Shoulders

Avery and Patrick have a ritual before bedtime that Avery calls "falling shoulders." It is just one of her many simple pleasures in life.

Day at the "lake"

I took the kids to the "lake" (the psuedo lake in Bridgeport) the other day along with my mom, Brenda, Ethan and Grant. It was a total comedy of errors:

1. When we first got there, I was taking pictures of Cole and landed in duck droppings (p.s. it stains)
2. Avery accidentally kicked her brand new shoe into the lake
3. We all ate on the pier with two one year olds and no means of containment. I'm sure you can imagine.
4. We had berries for lunch. Need I say more?

Despite my kids and I being covered in all sorts of grime, we had a great time. It is really so pretty there.

Christmas

Although I feel like Christmas happened years ago, I don't want it to pass me by. These years are so incredibly magical with the kids. It really is a fun time to live vicariously through our children :)

We had a great morning with the kids. Avery was so excited to see her dollhouse and Colton was happy playing with the bows. After we had our Christmas morning at home, we went to my parents and had brunch there. Usually, we spend the whole day there but this year we decided to come home and have dinner as a family. It was perfect. Would have been better with snow but I guess I need to let that go.