Thanksgiving 2011 ~ Our trip to Cali

Thanksgiving 2011 ~ Hidden Valley Lake, California

Have you ever went on a trip that even though things went wrong it is still amazing?  That in a short sums up our trip to California.  We decided that we really wanted to go to California and spend some time with Eric and his family.  Cooper their youngest was turning one, Thanksgiving was approaching and I had a new job.  It seemed like the perfect time to go on vacation! 

When we arrived we had so much fun, Jon and Eric spent a lot of time together in the garage, Jon is dying to have one as cool as Eric's (maybe one day).  While Marinda and I did normal girl stuff like shopped.

Xander riding Uncle Eric's motorcycle! 

On Thanksgiving after we ate we decided to go bowling, it was a lot of fun!  The kids had way too much fun!

All the cousins played together so well!!

Sometimes a little too well maybe .... I am pretty sure Easton likes Carter even though this picture may show something different.  :)

Xander really wants to know what Easton is doing to his brother.  It was so fun to watch the kids interact and get to know eachother better.

We decided to go to this kids interactive place.  It was so great I apparently didnt take any pictures except this one.  I think the kids enjoyed it however us adults may not have liked it very much!

Cooper and Xander ... Can you tell they are cousins?  Cooper was 12 months and Xander was 8 months.  It was so fun to watch them interact.

The day after we went Black Friday shopping we decided to go back to wal-mart.  We had the two little boys with us and we saw *Santa* so we decided to take a picture.  It may be a little weird Santa is a girl however they were too young to know any better.

Sunday morning Eric and his family headed off to church while we got on the road to head home.  I had to work Monday morning at 8 am and like I said I had a new job (this would have been my third week) when all of a sudden our car breaks down.  We are upset, I naturally start to cry and we have no cell service.  Jon didn't know what to do and then I notice this little phone thing on the side of the road so Jon went to it and it called the state patrol.  We called a tow and headed back to the nearest town.  We find out the car can not be fixed easily and we were super upset.  Eric left church came and got us and we ended up having to spend a few extra days in California until we could get a rental car and Jon could drive me and the kids home.  Luckily my boss was super understanding.

Since we were stuck in Cali for a few extra days Jon decided to take me to one of my fav places.  The San Francisco Pier.  We made the best out of being broken down and enjoyed our family and trip a little longer.

Me and the kids in front of Alcatraz.

And for some reason, no matter where we go we always find a carosel for Carter and Jon Jon to ride.

Overall we had an amazing trip!  It is always great to see family and get away.  It was nice to spend Thanksgiving with Eric and Marinda.

Xander is ONE!~

Xander Eric Redford

I can not believe it has been a year since he was born, time flies when you are having fun!!  All in all it was a great year.  Here is how we celebrated his birthday!

Since I am so picky and I only like white cake and many others like chocolate my children are lucky to have their amazing grandma Jo make them not one but TWO birthday cakes.  Our family is big into tractors and bull dozers so here are the cakes Xander got for his first birthday!

Since his birthday is in March and it is too cold outside to have a BBQ and one is too young to have a bowling party we decided to just have a party at the church.  We had games, a pinata, food, amazing friends and family and of course we had LOTS of presents.

YAY!!!  Its my BIRTHDAY!!  I am now one!!!

 Papa Rod and Xander playing with his balloons. 

Time to hit the pinata!~

Carter such an amazing big brother he is patiently waited his turn to hit the pinata and once it was his turn he didn't want to stop.  He was enjoying it a little too much.

Reading babies birthday card!~

Even with all the kids Xander did get to open one present all by himself.

All the kids opening toys and playing while I am still opening Xander's gifts.

We had a great day and we were very blessed to be able to spend it with our family and friends.  Xander is an amazing one year old and has blessed our life continuously over this last year of his life.  Sometimes things get tough having two kids 17 months apart however now that Xander is one and able to play better with Carter we are enjoying the fun of them growing into being great friends!

CHRISTMAS!!

CHRISTMAS 2011

My favorite time of year

With my boys, we were all full of cheer!

So this year Christmas was extremely busy, having two kids and coming from a split family there is lots of family to visit. We were able to enjoy spending time with each and every one of them however we were super busy.

Christmas Eve has always been a big part of the McDowall family so we invited my dad and Megan over for dinner and to open presents. After dinner my dad decided to leave, dress up like Santa and come and visit the boys.

Carter loved santa so much and kept saying, "I hear the jinging bells of the sleigh!" He was super excited to think santa came all the way from the North Pole to visit.

 

On the other hand Xander was not a fan of santa at all and nothing would make him go near santa. So I held Xander as santa gave him a gift.

Carter and santa in front of the Christmas tree.

After my dad left my mom and Ralph came over for dessert. They wannted to bring the kids over a present and spend some time with them. It was fun, Carter and Xander both had a good time. Grandma and Papa had recorded a book for the kids to enjoy and so they all sat down and read it.

Christmas morning was lots of fun. We invited Grandpa Rod and Grandma Jo over for breakfast before church and to open some presents. It was lots of fun, they got to see the kids open all their presents from santa clause.



All in all we had a wonderful Christmas!  It was a great end to an amazing year and I am so thankful I got to spend it with all the people we love so much and remember the reason we celebrate.  With Christ in our hearts we were able to have a blessed holiday and lots of great food.