Gray Family Christmas

I can't believe Christmas has come and gone! My whole pregnancy I dreamed about Avery's first Christmas -- and I have to say it was slightly anti-climactic, ha. She had zero interest in opening presents (even though my mom wrapped hers in tissue paper to make it easier and more enticing). She was far more interested in the Christmas decorations (snow globes, candles, ornaments, etc.) We knew she really wouldn't be old enough to understand how magical Christmas is, but we're hoping next year she will! She got SO many beautiful gifts and we feel so lucky and so grateful.

We spent Christmas Eve at my parent's house, and the next morning had Christmas breakfast at my aunt's house, and then we drove back to Carlsbad and spent Christmas afternoon and evening with Brandon's family. It was EIGHTY degrees. I was so bummed that the cute Christmas sweater I had planned for Avery wasn't going to work. T-shirts and tutus it is!

I hope everyone had a magical Christmas! I can't believe that it's 2014!

Thanksgiving 2013

 I am grateful every day for the life that I have, and the people who I share it with. 

Today, I was especially grateful to Avery who took an hour long nap right before the turkey came out of the oven. Brandon and I got to enjoy a blissful, hour-long ADULT dinner. She woke up just in time for a hysterical game of Cards of Humanity and pumpkin pie.

Although Avery didn't try any turkey, she did enjoy mashed potatoes and stuffing :-)

Hope everyone had as wonderful of a day as we did!

Happy Halloween!

Our Halloween was a cozy one this year. 

I baked potato cheese soup and mini pecan pies.

We dressed Avery up, took some pictures and then she began melting down and begging for bed by 6:30 (usual).

It was a wild night, folks.

Someone loves Halloween!

The Pumpkin Patch

We've gone to Bates Nut Farm almost every year for the past 6 years. And every year I've told Brandon how much fun it will be when we have a little babe of our own to take pictures of in the pumpkins. Saturday was that day. 

Although it was sweltering (and SO crowded) we managed to have a great time with Brandon's family! Avery got to spend time with her cousins which I love to see.

We bought some homemade chocolate from the store,

{chocolate covered gummy bears anyone?} 

devoured ice-cold popsicles,

and tried to find the largest pumpkins in the patch.

Only a few more days until Halloween!

Happy 4th of July!

We spent the 4th of July at my in-laws house in Laguna Beach. It's a private beach so it wasn't crowded, and their condo is steps from the sand. This makes beaching it with a 5 month old so convenient! When it's time to feed her, or put her down for her nap, we simply go back up to the condo. The best part is that I can still enjoy the sun from a lounge chair on their deck.

Hope everyone enjoyed some fun in the sun!

Merry Christmas!

Brandon and I spent Christmas Eve with my family, and we spent Christmas day with his family. We decided that Christmas Eve morning would be our time to open up gifts to each other and have breakfast together before heading to my parents. Brandon attempted to make Poffertjes (which are these heavenly pancake like things that we ate every day in Amsterdam). They turned out more like mini muffins but they were still really good covered in powdered sugar and homemade whipped cream.

Brandon got his beloved Cotton Candy machine that he's been hinting for months that he wanted, a wide angle lense for his iPhone, a few sweaters and some new cologne. I got a three hour mommy-to-be package at a spa near our house! It includes a massage, facial, lunch and a "tired feet" pedicure. I almost cried of happiness. I made my appointment for this Saturday :-) 

 

Christmas Eve at the Qattan's

• Mexican Feast
• Presents by the Christmas Tree
• Snickerdoodles
• National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation by the fire

                                                                                                   My "little" brothers 

Christmas with the Grays and the Barbatos

• Polar Express (and naps) by the fire
• Watching our nieces open presents by the tree
• Homemade cotton candy
• Prime Rib Dinner

 {Some pics from Brandon's new iPhone wide angle lense. He took the first one and said, "Oh babe, you aren't going to like this." Why? Because I look like the Kool Aid man? Ha!}

I hope everyone had a relaxing and wonderful holiday!