Merry Christmas, 2010

Christmas was amazing. I am honestly a little depressed that it is over.

My parents and my Brother and Brittany got in Thursday night and stayed with us through the weekend. We had my Mom's side of the family over for Christmas eve and it was great having our house filled with the smiles and sounds of so many loved ones during the holidays. The kids had fun in the bounce house and in the playroom while the adults had fun eating, drinking, and watching the babies. Dinner was delicious and we managed to fit our group of 21 fairly comfortably in the living room. Present opening was wild and chaotic, but a ton of fun. The kids eyes were bugging out of their heads with excitement and over-stimulation. Towards the end of the night Liliana started to have a melt down and couldn't pull it together. Everyone left shortly after and I was sure that she was just tired and needed to go to bed immediately. But, as soon as the door shut she let out a big sigh and asked, "Mom, it's not 'heavy' anymore?" She asked me this a few times and then totally settled down and played with her toys quietly and happily for a while while we sipped egg nog. There is no doubt that she loves her aunties, uncles, cousins, and Great Grandparents very much, and I know that she had a great time that night, but she reached her limit. I thought that it was sweet that when she reached a point where things got too overwhelming and she didn't have the vocabulary to explain this feeling, she described it as "heavy."

Christmas day was absolutely perfect. We woke up and let Liliana open her presents from Santa, my parents, my brother and B, and some from Grammy and Poppa. She took her time and LOVED everything that everyone gave her. We ate a big, yummy breakfast and lounged in our pajamas until almost noon. In the afternoon some of us went to the movies, some of us went to the bar, and some of us took naps. We basically all relaxed one way or another. In the early evening we went to have some champagne on the deck of the Ritz while the prime rib cooked in the oven. Then, we came home and feasted and talked about what a great Christmas it was this year.

Christmas Eve

Where's Hudson?












The dollhouse from Santa:

Luscious bed head:
Checking to see if Santa ate the cookies that she left out:
Cruising her new Radio Flyer trike around the living room:
Loving on her new Fur Real puppy that she named "Bark-a-Lee" (all on her own--the way she says it is so cute):
Checking out the gingerbread masterpiece at the Ritz. It was very detailed and the entire thing was made of candy:
Cocktail hour on the patio at the Ritz on a crisp evening. Just what the Doctor ordered:

Family:

Christmas Cookies

It wouldn't be Christmas without Christmas cookies. Last year it was easy for me to keep the sweets away from Liliana, but this year it has been almost impossible. The good news is that many of my friends and family are just as careful about what they let their kids eat, so a lot of the treats she has been consuming have had less sugar and no funky chemicals. The other good thing is that Liliana is happy to have just one cookie and almost just as happy to follow it with a chaser of broccoli. Nonetheless, she is loving baking and eating this holiday season.

Making them with Mommy:

Outfit change for the next batch. She insisted on wearing her "'kini-on-top" (she calls it this because of one of her favorite singer, "Katie Pewy's", song "California Girl's"). She had a tu-tu skirt on but took it off because she was worried it would get dirty. It would have...that is chocolate on her mouth, belly and leg.

Making pretend cookies in her kitchen:

There have been a lot of rainy days here recently and Liliana has been busy in her kitchen. She loves the new cookie set that the Tollacks got her. She especially loves that it came with a "glub".
Serving Dora her meal: pizza, a cookie, fruit salad, and, "a glass a' wine". Drink up Dora.:)

Decorating party with Stella and Jack:

Rolling their dough

Decorating



Her masterpieces that she is going to leave for Santa (after she eats a couple, she told me):

South Coast Santa

We went to see Santa AGAIN at South Coast mall. The line took about 10-15 minutes and Liliana was screaming at the top of her lungs to try to get Santa's attention the entire time. "SANTA! SANTA! SANTA! HI SANTA! SANTA, I LUB YOU!!!! SANTA, MINE'S OVER HERE! SANTA, MY TURN NOW?" She was yelling so loudly that I had to make her stop because it was distracting Santa and the other children from posing for their pictures. When she finally stopped yelling she asked me, "'dis da north pole?" I told her that this was just one of his workshops where he goes to work. One of the things that she said to Santa when she saw him was, "you working hard Santa?" He cracked up.

There was an elf passing out candy canes when you reached the front of the line before sitting on Santa's lap. I told her that Liliana did not need a candy so early in the morning (or at all for that matter). Liliana gave me a sassy look but surprisingly did not protest. When it was her turn to sit on Santa's lap she chatted him up for a while and gave him a lot of hugs. We got a lot of pictures and we were just about the finish up when he asked her what she wanted for Christmas. "ONE OF 'DOSE CANDIES" she practically yelled. The money shot was taken moments after the candy cane made it into her hot little hands. I think you can see the mischief in her eye and the, "f-you mom" in her grin. Such a stinker.

My grandma Guin, Aunty Nee-yo, Cannon, and Hudson were all there shopping so we met up to ride the reindeer together.

Then, Liliana and I went to fight the crowds to get our last gift on our list. We were running late so I didn't stop to take her to the potty even though I knew I should because it had been a long time since her last potty break. When we were in Crate and Barrel Liliana had a big pee pee accident and had to use her Potette to finish in the corner of the store. I still had to pay for my things, there was a huge line, and was dealing with a half-naked, grouchy, pee soaked baby and very full hands when a lady in line stopped me. She said that even her grandkids were getting older and that she could remember how busy and stressful times could be during the holidays when you have a little one, but that she would give an arm and a leg to have those days back. I started tearing up in line!! It was so sweet and so true. Getting ready for the holidays isn't always the easiest and most convenient when you have a toddler, but they are what make the holiday season special. I am having the BEST Christmas this year because of Liliana and her enthusiasm and it isn't even Christmas yet!

So excited...
Even more thrilled...
How do I get this thing open?...
Cannon...
Liliana...

Holiday Hayride with the Tollacks: 2010

We started a fun tradition with the Tollacks last year: The Del Mar Fairground's Holiday Hayride. We were all looking forward to it again this year. Unfortunately the hayride portion of the evening was rained out, but that didn't stop us from getting together and having a great time.

We dressed the girls as twins and met up for dinner at the Brigantine. They barely ate because they were too busy giggling, hugging, and squealing with joy (to the point that a grouch at the table next to us was giving us grief). After dinner we headed to the Del Mar fairgrounds and drove our car through to admire the lights instead of riding on the hay-filled wagon. Then, we jumped out of the car to see Santa. Last year, the girls screamed and cried. This year they were happily yelling, "HI SANTA!" in line and ran up to sit on his lap when it was their turn. When he asked them what they wanted for Christmas, they both talked over each other in excitement.

Liliana is still talking about seeing Santa with her bf Layla.

Daddy's girls
pure love and pure cuteness

totally tripped out and looking scared about the fact that we are driving and they are not in their car seats (we just drove around the track to see the lights).

having a great time

the Tollack girls
checking out the lights
sticking their heads out of the sun roof to get a better view. I envision this happening again someday in a limo
Adam is a lucky guy

so is Santa