Some Highlights from January

We spent New Years Day in Disneyland, which I don't recommend! It was BUSY, much too crowded. But California Adventure wasn't too bad.  We still had a fun time, who wouldn't? Just being in Disneyland is magical.

January 2nd we met our cousins at a near park before leaving Southern California. This was very exciting because we hadn't seen these two cuties for just over three years. They had been living in Thailand for the past two years and we met Abby only once, very briefly, when both she and Zac were barley three months old. So it was a special treat to reconnect with them. The kids spent a good hour+ playing at the park like they never parted. Makale ran from the camera every time I came near. But I was able to snap this smile of him. However Savannah and Abby were all smiles whenever the camera was pointed in their direction. Savannah had a blast playing with a girl and she said that was the best part of her trip to California. I couldn't believe Abby beet seeing Cinderella, but she did.

 

We then went to Sacramento and enjoyed a brunch at IHOP with Grandpa Wight on the 3rd of January. We enjoyed or visit with him and the kids each got a motorcycle ride and enjoyed playing with his three dogs, two cats, and parrot.

Back in Fairfield we said our Goodbyes to Grandma and Grandpa Pearce.The kids always enjoy teasing Grandpa and spending time with Grandma Sammie. With sad goodbyes and promises of future visits we made out way back to Grandma and Grandpa Bartley's. Where we got all our stuff packed and cuddled on the couch watching another game of football. We enjoyed hanging out there and playing with our uncles. Mommy got a few runs in which was really nice since the weather was great, the scenery gorgeous, and the terrain fairly flat. And Grandma Bartley makes the best homemade dinners. It was hard to leave. But on January 5th we woke up early and spent a long day on airplanes flying back across the country.

We got back into our school routine, which was really hard to do. I think it took a two weeks for the kids to handle the early mornings again. But they enjoyed catching up with their friends and getting back to the normalcy of life. On January 11th RJ toke his mom out for a night down town. We got all fancy-ed up and walked the red carpet to hear the results for the Lights Camera Lynchburg video contest. His class came in third place in their category for their entry and then at the end of the night they were rewarded with the viewer choice award and $600. I have never seen such an excited group of third graders. I then treated RJ to dessert at the Main St. Eatry and his eyes jumped out of his head when they rolled the cart of desserts to our table. We shared two pieces of cake because we couldn't decide one. Overall it was a memorable night.

At the end of the month Jared took a new job position within his company. He is now in management with a sweet new office (no more cubicles), a three level jump, and big pay raise. Of course he has been working harder and longer, but so far he seems to be enjoying it.

My sister also came to visit for a few days at the end of the month. We enjoyed the visit with her. I will hopefully get some pictures of the fun blind fold test she performed on the kids while she was here posted here soon and I will hopefully do a little better as the year goes on getting things posted. Life has been busy, but we are sure enjoying the ride.