10 days in California...

After Howie and I got back from Christmas with his parents we decided to send Makenna and I back to California! Since I wasn't working and had nothing else to do, Makenna and I booked a one way flight down there on January 15th. It was awesome! 10 days of pure relaxation and lots of bonding time with Oldpa, Oldma, Aunt Jeanie, Uncle Dale, Gage, Ashton and Uncle Todd. Ashton's 5th birthday was the weekend after we got there so Howie drove down a couple of days before the party so he could be there and take us all home. I took a ton of pictures while we were there but I'm only posting my favorites. I apologize again that updating this blog has hit the backburner again! LOL.. It has been a busy month!

Hanging out with Gage after a LONG day!

The next day Gage, Makenna and I took a walk. Makenna had tons of fun chasing Gage around!

Uncle Todd came over for dinner.. I got a really cute picture of him and Gage! :)

The ENTIRE time we were there, Makenna would grab her Oldpa's hand and say, "Oldpa?? Ah more, more rocks?" She would lead him downstairs (that's where he stashes them) and they would come up with "more, more rocks". Too cute.

Guess what? A couple of days after we got there it started snowing!!

It didn't stop snowing for 4 days... and we lost power for 3 days!

THE DAY DADDY CAME.... Silly Daddy!

Miss Belle had fun trying to walk in all the snow. Look at her legs!! :)

She had so much fun in the snow!

Daddy and Makenna watching a 3D movie.

Here are some pictures of the sweet moments my Dad and Makenna had while picking out rocks. This was the last night we were there and I didn't want to miss another opportunity to save that moment in time. :)

She LOVES her rocks. I think she's borderline obsessed, actually.

We had so much fun and it was sad to leave (as always). We will be back down there in April for Gage's birthday. We're excited. :) More posts coming soon!

Love,

The Howards

Christmas with Grandpa & Grandma Howard!

After we got back from California, we headed up to Monroe to have Christmas with Grandpa & Grandma Howard! It is always so refreshing to go up to their house. It's so quiet and there is lots of space for Makenna to run and play. We opened presents a few hours after we got there which was a lot of fun. Makenna got a billion and a half toys and I am super excited over my Shark Steam Mop!!

Grandma didn't really get a pool.. she got towels! :)

Outside time!

Makenna likes giving Moppy sticks to play with.

Makenna taking a walk to Cajun, Moppy, Belle & Abbie.

This face is priceless!

All tuckered out....

TIME FOR SOME FUN BACK RIDING!

She had so much fun riding on everyones backs! She even said to me, "Mommy turn?" I gave it a go but I'm not nearly as much fun as Grandma, Grandpa, Daddy or Uncle Luke. :) After the exciting hour of riding backs, it was time to relax a little with Grandma.

Well, that's the end of my Christmas posts! Good to have them up before the middle of February. LOL... Until next time!

A sightseeing sort of day...

The last day we were there we all decided to go sightseeing. Our first stop was Columbia, CA. You can read about the town here: http://www.columbiacalifornia.com/. They have this old wagon that we took pictures on. It is neat because there are pictures there are pictures of Bob, Amy, Dale, Todd and I on the same wagon in 1985ish.

We had to get Oldpa & Oldma up there too!

They have horse carriage rides! We'll have to take Makenna on it this summer.

Cute cousins.

Our next stop was Ironstone Vineyard in Murphys, CA. You can check it out: http://www.ironstonevineyards.com/. We checked out the museum/gift shop for a while (they have a lot of fossils, rocks, gold, etc.) and then we went and had lunch. It was such a wonderful day and it was nice to be outside with family.

The jewelry shop also holds the largest piece of crystalline gold leaf in the world! Here it is in all of its glory. :)

This picture makes me smile.

Well, that's the end of the California Christmas trip... It only took 3 posts! Now onto the next month!

Love,

The Howard Clan

The rest of Christmas in California...

Wow! It's hard to believe that it's almost been a month since I have been on here. Sorry everyone! It's been a busy few weeks in the Howard household. :) Here are the rest of the pictures I took while we were down in California for Christmas. Well, not all of the pictures I took but some of my favorites. We had a wonderful time down there.. It is so relaxing!

Makenna absolutely LOVES her cousin Gage. It is so much fun to watch them play and Gage is so good with her. :)

Sweet Ashton.

I am thrilled to let you know that Miss Makenna has her Uncle Dale wrapped around her finger. It's super cute.

I was on the computer and heard Makenna getting into something. When I checked on her she had lined up all the wine bottles. What a little organizer!

Makenna's new favorite "cheese" face....

My Aunt Carlene came down on New Years Day and spent a few days with everyone. It was nice to see her. :)

HAHA!

Mr. Gageman got a new dirt bike! He had to show off his skills.

Makenna sitting on Gage's old bike. If only it were pink....

One more California Christmas post to go.... Phew!