New Ride...

The girls have been enjoying their new ride...

A very generous gift... from a very generous friend... 

Shopping...

I've been shopping for my cousin in Japan.... 

They are all so unique and beautiful... Tempted to keep them all for our home. ;)

Even 5 Year Olds...

Even 5 year olds need naps... :)

I love watching this girl sleep.. Reminds me of when she was a little baby...

Around Here...

...we are...

 ...enjoying going through the Advent Jesse Tree every morning in preparation for Christmas!

..."journaling" out on the deck. 

..."journaling" in mommy's journal...

 ....building...taking apart...and building again...

...writing a lot of "Thank You" cards.

...reading old favorites over and over again.

...making a gingerbread house...

...stamping Christmas cards...

crafting...

...smiling and laughing (most of the time ;D)!

Treasuring these Moments...

These are the moments I know I'm going to miss when the girls are older...

And I know Bryant is going to really miss these moments....

And then there were two...

And then there were three... :)

Turning 5!

Yesterday was biggest sister's birthday and we celebrate in a very special way.. She went on a birthday breakfast date with Daddy (and invited her sister).  Then we went to Disneyland to celebrate with her friends!!

I didn't plan on having a birthday celebration at Disneyland...but it turned out wonderful! I was originally going to meet with my friend and her kids for playdate (since theyall have annual passes)..and found our other friends also have passes.. and so we all ended up meeting there on her birthday!! Biggest sister got to ride her favorite rides (Small World and Tea Cup), see Mary Poppins dance, eat a Mickey Mouse chocolate ice cream, and a band even played a "happy birthday" tune for her as we were leaving the park!  I think she had a VERY memorable birthday!! She woke up this morning and asked, "Mommy, can it be my birthday again?"... ;)  Yes sweetie, your birthday will come again..but can I enjoy you before you turn 6 years old? I'm still having a hard time believing you are already 5!!

Before going out to breakfast with Daddy... 

Littlest sister and I stayed home and read books...

Sisters and friends walking hand-in-hand down Main St...

 Small World all decked out with Christmas decorations!

 Getting ready to spin the tea cup.

Everyone holding up a "five" for her fifth birthday!!

Watching Mary Poppins dance and sing...

Cake with family in the evening. :) 

December.

In previous years, we had a tradition in which we purchased the Christmas tree and decorated it and decorated our home after biggest sister's birthday (which is the 6th).  We started this tradition so that her birthday would be somewhat "separate" Christmas and tree-decorating was something we can look forward to do after her birthday celebration.  This year, we seem to not be able to wait that long... Maybe it's because the girls are older and they're excited about Christmas... Bryant brought out the Christmas bins today and we started decorating...

It sure is starting to look a lot like Christmas around here... Now let's see if we can wait to buy the Christmas tree...  ;)