Visit With Santa

We braved the mall one week before Christmas to take Sadie and Braden to see Santa. We had a surprisingly short wait for the week before Christmas. While we were waiting in line, I took a few pictures. Sadie is really into making silly faces these days. Braden is just chillin' in the stroller while sissy is silly! Enjoy!

The picture I took with my camera. For his first time visiting the "Jolly Guy", Braden did very well! No screaming baby! Sadie told Santa she wanted a Buzz Lightyear and Woody. She also told him that Braden wanted socks.

The official 2010 picture with Santa.

The Building of the Gingerbread House

About a week before Christmas, we had family fun night at the Moore house! It started with homemade pizza and then we built a gingerbread house. Sadie was so excited to do this (note her face in the picture below). We had a blast, but in the end it looked like what I imagine a "Charlie Brown Gingerbread House" would look like if he ever built one. Enjoy the pics.

Ready to get started!!

"Whoa, the roof is going on!!"

Carefully placing the star candies on the roof.

Now for the gumdrop lined roof.

Braden couldn't help us build the house because he was too little this year, but surprisingly enough, he was able to eat the gingerbread - no milk or eggs in it!!! Here he is deciding on his plan of attack...

I wasn't surprised by his choice - head first!!

"Ta da!!" Finished product!

These gumdrops slowly disappeared in the days after the house was built. Not sure who could have eaten them ;)

Our humble abode!!

"Oh Christmas Tree" 2010

We (by we I mean Sadie and I) set up and decorated the Christmas tree this evening. This has never been one of Brian's favorite things to do (although he LOVES the finished product) and that is okay with me because I'm a little particular. Brian has always helped by bringing in all the stuff, but when it comes to the decorating, it has always been me. Until this year that is. Mersadie really got into putting the ornaments on the tree. She was thrilled to help and I was thrilled to have a helper. Even if it did mean that I had to let go of the "symmetricalness" of the ornament placing.

Here is the finished product. Mersadie wanted to know where the presents were.

Mersadie's placement of many of the ornaments. All in one place, all in front, all about the height of her shoulder.

Another shot of how close Sadie liked to place her ornaments together.

The "old" me would have moved those to different spots on the tree once Sadie went to bed. The "new" me is letting them be because they were placed there by my VERY excited daughter and I do not want to squelch that spirit!!

Although I love the tree, my favorite part of this evening was when I was cleaning up and overheard Brian reading to Sadie in the living room. It was "Piper's Night Before Christmas" by Mark Lowry.

So, so sweet!!

Christmastime at Disneyland!

Last night we braved the crowds to go and experience the "Happiest Place on Earth" at Christmastime. It was perfect...the weather was nice and chilly (for So Cal), the kiddos had taken their naps, we parked in Downtown Disney for free (and didn't lose our car this time), we had ice cream, popcorn and hot chocolate and had a great spot to see the fireworks. It was so much fun and definitely something I think we'll make a tradition out of!!

Cinderella's castle decorated for Christmas.

Our family...gotta love the kiddos doing their own thing, but hey, they are happy! Notice the weird guy peering in from behind? You know he's doing that on purpose. Thanks guy!



"Small World" ride. The outside of the ride has 50,000 lights on it and the inside was all decorated for Christmas with 100,000 additional lights!! These pictures don't do it justice, of course!!


Little B and Mommy waiting for the Small World ride.

Silly, sweet Mersadie!!

Mommy and the kiddos!

Daddy and the kiddos.

Beginning of the "Small World" ride. If you've never been on the ride...you go through a lot of different cultures. There are little characters and things that dance and music plays for the different countries. This time, every culture was decorated for Christmas and there was Christmas music playing. As we rode along, there were also different smells of Christmas. I have never enjoyed this ride so much! Disney definitely knows how to make an "experience"!!

Woody and Jessie!! Sadie has never seen the Toy Story movies but LOVES all the characters. Guess I should have her watch the movies!

Braden was having SO much fun watching all the things move and dance. With the festive Christmas music playing he was dancing right along!! So fun!!

My happy boy!

Brian and the kids on the carousel ride!

Chuck E. Cheese

Today we took Sadie (and Braden) to Chuck E. Cheese. It was another one of Sadie's rewards for smiley faces. Truth is...we would do these things with our kiddos anyway, but it just makes it better to have Mersadie have a reward for good behavior. And yes, there have been a few weeks where we didn't get to do our fun thing because there weren't enough happy faces. Thankfully, only a few. If all goes well this coming week, we get to go to Disneyland again. Yes, WE - that's me being just as excited as Sadie to go. They will have all their Christmas decorations up, so I'm rooting for Sadie big time this week! In the meantime, enjoy these pictures from Chuck E. Cheese today! *Warning...there are A LOT* but you'll want to scroll all the way to the end, because those are special!

One of Sadie's rewards was that she got to get a "coke" - which actually was Sprite. I have NEVER let her have her very own coke to drink. This was a special day. :)

Very first thing she wanted to ride was the horse.

Then, she wanted Daddy to play the next game. He did so happily.

I love B's wonder and amazement in this picture. He looks a little scared, but he was really mesmerized!

First "ride" by himself. Loving it!

There was this car ride with the guy from Curious George. The next few pictures are funny. Sadie was being so silly with that guy!

I think she's in love. Haha!

Smooch!

Sadie's first go at air hockey! She didn't really get the concept of NOT letting the puck into her goal. She got so excited no matter if she got a point or if Brian got a point! I love this oblivious age!

More air hockey action!

Sadie was having so much fun!

Braden was watching from the other side.

Here's Braden looking in on the air hockey game. Can't you just see the words in his head: "can't wait until I'm big enough to play with Daddy!"

And now for the most precious shots of the day...no pun intended. Here is Brian helping Sadie with the basketball game. He's a natural at teaching his favorite sport ever!!

Sadie picked it up really quickly!

She even has good form already...look at the follow through!

Awwww!!! This one I will treasure forever! Like father, like daughter! I am so blessed to have such an amazing husband who has turned in to such an amazing father right before my eyes these past 3 1/2 years.