NYE 2014

We woke up to crazy amounts of snow in Southern California on the last day of 2014! Global warming, right?!? There was snow all the way to the bottom of Saddleback Mountain! I've NEVER seen that much snow so low  in my entire life and I had a stellar view of Saddleback from my bedroom window until I was 17 years old. So, I'm quite familiar with it's snow history. It was pretty cool though and made for a very beautiful scene.

I had a coupon for a free breakfast at Ruby's that expired on NYE so I invited my mom out and we enjoyed a nice hot breakfast together- with the kids of course. It was fun getting to spend the morning and early afternoon with my mom and of course seeing my dad too!

After breakfast the baby took a REALLY good nap. My Dad kept an ear out for Rayleigh while my mom took Parker and me out to run some errands. We went to Hobby Lobby and Target and tried to snag the Christmas Clearance deals. When we got home the baby was awake. We ate some lunch and then met Cami and the kids over at the park. Such a fun and pretty day! I loved spending time with Cami and catching up with her! It's so nice having my best friends so close now!

Rayleigh loves the park. My mom got this cheap little kite for Parker at Hobby Lobby and since the Santa Ana's were blowing like crazy the kite was a total hit!!!! Thanks Mom!

Rayleigh is my little animal lover. Thank goodness for our sweet friend Jimmi who brings a few dogs to the park each day to play. Rayleigh was in heaven! 

6 months! 

Tanner had to work on NYE as well and didn't get home until around 6... which was fine because we were staying up late anyway! Of course the baby went to bed at 7 like she usually does but after she went to sleep we made homemade pizzas and watched home movies! Parker started to really fade around 9pm and made himself a little bed on the couch. He was out by 9:30 but Tanner and I thoroughly enjoyed watching all of the videos we took from around the time we were married until Parker was 2. It made me really really grateful for my sweet family and the complete and utter joy Parker has brought into our life. Now we have our sweet Rayleigh and another little miracle on the way. These amazing spirits are such a gift and I can't thank my Father in Heaven enough for sending them to me.

Around 11:30 we went upstairs, climbed into bed, and turned on the TV to watch the ball drop. Shortly thereafter Rayleigh woke up and started to cry (which she rarely does). So, Tanner got her out of bed and brought her in to snuggle with us. She counted down to midnight with us, all cuddled up between us. We quietly said, "Happy New Year" and gave each other little kisses and she responded in her oh so sweet baby voice. I think she liked being up late with us like that. She is just the sweetest girl and I'm so glad she was able to ring in the new year with us like that. 

This year certainly presented many ups and downs. It was seriously a roller coaster year. But we ended on top like we always do and are now enjoying this fabulous ride! I know challenges will surely come again but today we are happy and so content. Happy New Year and God bless us, everyone.