Christmas by the ocean

We just got home from Mendocino California. It was a long drive but the kids did great. It was so incredibly beautiful spending every morning eating breakfast while looking out at the ocean. My uncle owns a beautiful Bed and Breakfast and it was really fun to stay in these cute little private cottages right off the coast. The Redwoods were absolutely incredible! It was still too cold to really play at the beach but we collected a lot of glass at "glass beach". I wish we lived closer to my family so we could get together more often. But I'm grateful we get the opportunities that we do. It was nice to get away, this Christmas was really hard but it couldn't have been spent with better company. Gavin had a great time being able to play outside, though I missed the snow. I have so many pictures I better make a slide show but here are a few for tonight.I was so happy that they both smiled!

Gavin and his "airpwane"and "nake"

If you look closely Max's onesie says "I'm with stupid"...haha. He was a good sport though.

The view from the window where we ate breakfast...I love the ocean!

Max loves his jumparoo!

Such a happy guy!

Max got his very own train, unfortunately Gavin doesn't care and we are learning to share.

I love this guy! How about his little haircut? I gave in and trimmed it two inches before our trip. It was hard to get him to hold still. I didn't dare go shorter. I love his hair.

These boys are so spoiled!This is my tree, it's nothing like my mom's fourteen trees but we like it. Most all the ornaments have some significance or do something entertaining for Gavin. Andy proposed to me via snowman, needless to say we collect snowmen for our tree.

"a-ca-cop-car"

He's on all fours , and I caught it on camera finally. He has been doing this for two months and should be crawling real soon...then I will be in trouble!The boys and their toys.

Sweet Max, taking in all the excitement.

My dad found this fire truck pedal car, I wish we had room for it at our place...we will see. It is so cute/cool! I had to pry him out of it to eat dinner.

It's not the best shot but Gavin treats his new tub toy, George/dordge like his own baby. He even gave him a bottle and bathed him today. Too cute.

Gavin's "a-ca-cop-car" helicopter is the favorite toy today and I couldn't even pry it from his hands for a nap.

It has been a little while. Let's just say this Christmas will be the hardest Christmas for me and my family. I've had a hard time lately and it's about time I admit it, for my own sake. I hope what other people say is true and that the first year of holidays is the hardest and it does get better. I don't know how it will get better but whatever. It has just been really tough accepting reality. I have tried to focus my thoughts on my little guys, they are so darn cute and they make it easier to smile.
I finally made a few attempts to get some shopping done and we are getting ready to go to California to spend Christmas with my dad's family. It will be nice to get away, but weird to have Christmas morning without any snow. We have been so busy with Christmas gatherings etc. we actually did Christmas gifts last night with my family since we can't take everything to California. Gavin had a blast-enjoy some pics. Hopefully our photographer master Andy will get our family pictures done eventually...

Girl's night out!

My girlfriends from school met up at Chili's this week. It has been a long time since we got together. I wish Carrie could have made it, but it gives us a good reason to do it again soon. Hopefully Lynsie won't be living in Vegas for too much longer, I miss seeing her.

*I was quickly reminded of how short I am (I even wore my heels).

We had a good time laughing about the past, and getting caught up on the present. It is hard to believe we have been graduated for seven years. Time flies! It was nice to get out for a little bit too. When I got home, both kids were in bed -thanks Andy!