New York, New York!

Jim and I decided that instead of doing Christmas presents with each other this year that we would take a trip (just the two of us) and go back to New York City. We hadn't been back since we got engaged there (December 2002) and I have been wanting to go back ever since. We both figured this was our window of opportunity and were able to get babysitters (Thank you again Nanna and Nannu) and so off we went!

We drove down from Sacramento to Orange County on the 16th, dropped the kids off with Jim's parents and flew out the next morning. It truly was an amazing vacation, I think one of the best we have ever been on. There is just something about that city at Christmas time that makes it so magical and to make things even better, we got about a foot of snow on our second day. The city looked beautiful and words cannot describe Central Park covered in 12 inches of snow...breathtaking! We did alot of shopping, eating, drinking, went to see the "Today" show, and just walking around the city. We also had the opportunity to see a broadway show, "Mamma Mia," which I totally LOVED. I'm not much of a "play/musical" person but this was just great! We also got to visit with some of our good friends and catch up and of course it was so nice being able to sleep in and wake up on our own accord. Although we had so much we wanted to see and do every day that somehow we managed to wake up on our own at 8 or 9 everyday which is like 5 or 6 California time! We did a lot of shopping for the kids...Jim and I spent like 3 hours in the FAO schwartz. That store is just incredible and of course we brought the kids home some treats.

Overall, an amazing time! Thank you so much baby for a wonderful trip. I love you so much and I am so thankful for everything we have in our lives!

There are so many pictures to share, but I will try and narrow it down:

This was the "dress up" section in FAO. Can you believe this?



Just a sample of the amazing Christmas decorations all over the city


Our visit to the "Today" show set and man was it COLD!


Central Park BEFORE the storm hit.



Re-living the big moment. Rockefeller Center where we got engaged 7 years ago.







This is what it looked like when we got out of the restaurant



This is me doing a snow angel in the middle of the sidewalk in Timesquare!



Anyone care for a pretzel?


Our hotel, right smack dab in the middle of Timesquare


Our carriage ride through central park in the snow....So romantic :-)
















Our visit with Alan


Little Italy....the streets all covered with snow


And in summary.....

Christmas a little early in the Meyer household

This weekend my dad and Carolyn flew up to spend some time with us and the kids and to celebrate our Christmas together. We're not going to be able to make it down to San Diego this year with everything else we have going on, and they were nice enough to come to us (which we love!). And not only did they come, but they brought presents...and BIG presents. Check out Cole's new train table and train set. They picked it up at Toys R Us for him and madly put together all 100+ pieces while he was taking his nap, and when he woke up, this is what he saw! He's been playing with it ever since! Thank you both for coming up to see us, we had a wonderful time and really enjoyed it.

The finished product!


Dad closing Cole's eyes as he takes him into the room...SURPRISE!!!


Does he look happy or what?

Let is snow!

Last Monday we awoke to snow in Rocklin, that's right folks, SNOW! It wasn't much, but it was still fun to see and have the kids play in, at least for a bit. We haven't lived up here all that long, but from what we have heard, this was the first snow in over 10 years. I was lucky enough to wake up during the night (Olivia wanted a bottle) and so I stuck my head out the window to see if it had started and sure enough it had! I had to wake up Jim as well so he could see it. The flakes were huge and I think if the storm had had more moisture, we could have actually gotten some measurable snow. It reminded me of all of the snow days, we had as a kid and kind of makes me want to move to somewhere that it snows on a regular basis so the kids can enjoy growing up in it. Hmmmm we'll have to see about that.

Polar Express

Last night we took the kids to downtown Sacramento to ride the Polar Express! I can't remember why we weren't able to go last year, probably because we already had too much going on, but this year I was bound and determined to get tickets after hearing how much fun it was from all of our friends. It's in old town Sacramento and they decorate about 5 railroad cars and the kids get all dressed up in their pajamas. Once you board the train, you take off for the "North Pole" and as you are heading there they hand out hot chocolate and cookies for everyone, play music, read the story and have actors dressed up from characters in the book. After you get to the North Pole, Santa gets on the train and takes pictures with each kid and gives them a bell to ring. Ironically, after they gave Cole his bell, he kept saying he couldn't hear anything. We were sitting directly below the speakers that were playing music, so Jim and I couldn't really hear anything and everytime he complained that he couldn't hear the bell, we kept telling him, "Yes, you can." Sure enough, once we got back to the station and they turned off the music, the poor kid was given a broken bell! No noise at all :-( We got him another one, which made him much happier and we are just hoping he is still a believer :-)


Cole getting ready to board the train to the North Pole.

The kids all dressed up in their PJ's.


Olivia enjoying her hot chocolate and cookie on the way to go see Santa




The conductor reading the "Polar Express"




Olivia loved ringing the bells.

Check out the look on his face. He just kept saying, "My bell isn't ringing, my bell isn't ringing." And we were like "YES it is!" Poor kid.

MUCH, MUCH happier with a bell that actually works!

Now for the trip back home. Olivia fast asleep dreaming of her visit with Santa.

Cole still ringing his bell.

Thanksgiving 2009

This year we decided to host Thanksgiving at our home and invite our families to join us. We had quite a large group for dinner - 12 adults and 3 kids. Thankfully my mom was there to help me out with it all or I would have been completely stressed out. She came over the day before and helped bake pies, make the stuffing and get me all ready for the big day! She and Mike drove up on Tuesday, Jim's parents came in on Wednesday, Eric and Michelle drove up on Thursday and Kristen, Enrique and Alec flew in on the Thanksgiving Day! We were also joined by Mike's dad who is turning 91 this year and his wife Marge. It was so much fun hosting and thank you all for a wonderful weekend! Here are a few shots from the weekend.

The table all set for the big night


Olivia with the one and only Nanna!


Cole gettin some lovin from Aunt Michelle


Mommy and Olivia (wearing the beautiful handmade hat and
scarf that Grandma made for her! Thanks Mom, it is so cute!)


Another shot of Olivia in her new hat and scarf


My sister-in-law, Michelle, me and sister, Kristen


Jim getting ready to carve the turkey after a
few cocktails (hence the goggles!)


Getting ready to sit down for the big meal.

The "Ward" kids out for a night out at Crush 29.