Sweet photo

Corey took this the morning he flew back from California. I just love the look on Charlie Jo's face.

Uncle Jordan comes to visit

The day after Christmas, my little brother Jordan flew down from Seattle to hang out. That afternoon, we took Charlie Jo to the park again to see how she liked the slide.





I think she loved it!



Uncle Jordan helped entertain Charlie Jo while she chowed down.



Woo!



A holiday in Thousand Oaks wouldn't be complete without roasting marshmallows over the fire pit. Unlike last Thanksgiving, no one fell through the patio chairs.

Christmas day

On Christmas day, we headed up to see my Aunt Kim, Uncle Jerry, and cousins Abbey and Cady Lane at their new house in Arroyo Grande. We hung around and ate pretty much all day, but there was a lot of goofing around as well.

Beau kept all of us herded together.



The kitchen is still decorated to the old owners' taste. It will be interesting to see how Jerry and Kim personalize it over time.



The view from the house is amazing!



Cady Lane loved to hold Charlotte on her lap. She gave Charlotte many hugs and kisses, and she told Charlotte "I love you!" several times.



The expectant parents.



It was fun to see Abbey again. We hadn't seen her since Jordan and Jessica's wedding in May.



Where's Charlotte?



Peek a boo!!



No Charlotte, Abbey's braces aren't for playing with. Charlotte is always attracted to the shiny things she can't have.



Abbey forgave Charlotte for snagging the scarf on Abbey's braces.



Cady Lane taught us how to play Wii bowling. It's difficult to bowl while lying on the ground, but somehow Cady managed it.



Charlie Jo tried some goldfish crackers for the first time. She loved them!



Thank you, Kim, Jerry, Cady Lane, and Abbey for having us over on Christmas day!

More California fun

Grandma Jo and Grandpa Spike have really tall stairs! They're no match for Sir Edmund Hillary though.



I can do it myself! Hands off, Mom!



I helped Grandma Jo load the dishwasher.



Grandpa Spike can get me riled up like no one else.



We Skyped with Daddy.



I rearranged Grandma Jo's cupboards for her. You're welcome!

California Christmas begins

We had a good flight to California. It was long, but we survived thanks to some very nice seatmates. Charlie Jo slept well that night!

The next morning, Grandpa Spike fed Charlie her first Cheerios.



Then, Charlie took a bath in the big fancy tub.



Bathtime is always a big hit, but it was even more fun in a different tub.



Dressed up in her Christmas outfit and playing with Grandma Jo's slippers.



We took a stroll to the park.



Push me higher, Grandpa!



Grandma knows how to do it right.



What's better than dinner with Grandma Jo and Grandpa Spike? Nuthin'!

Little trained monkey

Stupid, stupid, stupid

Remind me again why I am flying ALONE with Charlotte to California all by myself for a four and a half hour flight without Corey with a baby on my lap solo schlepping my own luggage while carrying a 19 pound 9 ounce baby sans my husband tomorrow? And why did I buy a ticket for an afternoon flight so I will be trying to deal with Charlotte when she's at her fussiest? Mom and Dad -- I really love you guys!

Actually, I'm trying to time it so Charlotte will sleep for at least the first hour of the flight, and then I'm hoping to just set her free to crawl up and down the aisle. Surely the flight attendants won't mind. Someone I know actually suggested I give Charlotte Benadryl, but since I know someone else who acted as a guardian ad litem for a child taken from her parents for that very same action, I think I'll pass.

Just cross your fingers for me between 3:20 and 8:05 pm CST tomorrow. If you see on the news that air marshals were called to restrain a crazy woman on a flight from Nashville to L.A., it's probably going to involve someone sitting next to us on the flight.

Here's some more photos from the expedition to meet Santa at the mall. Charlotte was such a good girl that day!

Move over, Ringo

Charlotte tried out our neighbor David's drum set a few days ago with Dan's help. While she didn't exactly show an aptitude for rhythm or display any technique to indicate we have a protege on our hands, she did seem to have a certain flair for waving the sticks around.

Um, I think you're supposed to hit the DRUM head -- not YOUR head.



Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum!



I think we need some pedal extensions for the bass drum. LONG pedal extensions.

Hey Big Guy!

Come here often?

Early Christmas

Daddy calls my new walk 'n' ride a "dune buggy". Meem & Pop would be proud.



Auntie Li Li -- come over and tickle me!!



Ooh - this sea horse tastes great.



Finally! Some paper I'm allowed to rip!!



Mom's new mixing bowl gives a terrific ride.



My favorite thing -- dumping stuff on the floor.



Testing out my new tugboat with Captain Walrus.

Whee!

Since this was our last weekend together before Christmas, we opened some presents sent from Corey's side of the family. Charlotte's favorite present was actually one of mine -- an awesome new mixing bowl from Steph & Don.

Tree trimming

We finally got the tree lit and decorated, with (or despite?) Charlie Jo's help.



Grabby, grabby!



Charlie directed where each ornament should go.



Now the house is all ready for Christmas! Too bad we only have a week to enjoy it before Charlie and I fly to California (Corey will join us on Christmas Eve).