Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Celebrating Samantha

We celebrated Samantha's birthday the weekend after she turned five. 
 

 
My parents came up to Santa Barbara a day early with gifts and as you can see, some for Thatcher too.

 
Samantha got a Nabi Tablet which is basically an iPad for kids.  It is preloaded with all sorts of educational and fun games for her age.  She can also access the Internet but only sites that I preload, her favorite sites so far are this blog as well as all of our friend's blogs too. And I know all kids her age and younger are impressive on phones, iPads and computers now but it still is crazy to me that she can navigate her way through all sorts of apps on this thing without even asking me how to do it.  The other day she was playing Angry Birds and I watched her pass level after level after level.... future gamer?
 
 
 
At night, Samantha and Thatcher will listen to stories, play games or watch videos on it.  It is an easy way to get them to go to sleep.
 
The next morning it was party time!
 

 
 
 
Before the party even started, BOTH kids (Thatcher is one lucky grand kid), were opening presents.  Unfortunately, Dancing Grandma was sick (and I am so SO sorry because I am 100% sure I passed on the pink eye I had to her over Thanksgiving).  Her and Papa Ward were so kind to make the long drive all the way up before guests arrived to drop off gifts and wish Sam happy birthday. 
 
 Samantha was beyond thrilled with her Princess Activity Set. 
 
 
The Princess and Knight were ready for guests to arrive!
 
 
Party favors were all wrapped, Belle necklaces for the girls and Silly Putty for the boys.
 


 



 
Costco cake, a favorite of ours ;)
 
 
Drink station.
 
 
Beauty station.
 
 
Art station.
 
 
Princess movies playing.

Oh and rain..... RAIN RAIN RAIN :(

 
Which meant scrambling last minute for tents.

 
Guests began to arrive.



 



 
 Lots of pizza was consumed.



 Sofia was as always an awesome helper doing nails and tattoos for the kids.
 

 
 
 

 

 
Stay tuned for the birthday girl's surprise!

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Random November Photos

 
Samantha off to her first "drop-off" Princess Birthday Party for a school friend.

 
And a photobomb by her goofy brother!
 
 
Samantha got a Princess Snuggie for her birthday from Mrs. Janelle and Col. Proctor and she LIVES in it.
 
 
She has even asked to wear it to school....
 

 
We've settled for letting her wear it to the dinner table.
 
 
The Snuggie does bring extra snuggles though ;)
 

 
Monkeying around.

 
I can't think of a caption for this one, I am sure you can think of one yourself ;)

 
Practicing for family photos.

 
I love to see him in something other than pajamas, a rare occasion!

 
Playing her new game from Connor with her "friends".
 
 
Grocery shopping in style!

 
Blockhead.

 
Getting torchered by his sister but I actually think he likes it.

 
Channeling Mick Jagger?? 

Thursday, December 20, 2012

State Street Christmas Parade

 
We bundled up a few weeks ago and headed downtown to meet the Paskin family for the Christmas Parade on State Street.  Not sure what is going on with the outfits but when I asked them to dress warm and wear layers, they apparently did it in the dark....

 

 
We watched some of the parade from upstairs in Mike's office which overlooks State Street and I am guessing it is up there where Thatcher made a rain boot change with Jack because he is now wearing a different pair than he had on in the picture above...

 
Over-priced light saber toys were bought
 
 
And these light up twirly things too.

 
It's like a miniature Macy's parade, kind of, sort of...

 
The girls had front row seats

 
and fun was had by all. 
 
Great start to the Christmas season!