Day at Concord Mills

Over the weekend, Josh traveled to Kansas City for the Patriots game. He was pretty excited and luckily they won. And yes, I watched the game from home. It was stressful and I don’t think OT good for my heart.  This is the only picture he sent. Am I surprised? Not at all.

Monday, Charlotte had no school for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. I knew we needed to get out of the house but it was also going to be freezing. I put the girls in matching outfits and we headed to the Concord Mills Mall. It is pretty much the same as Ontario Mills in Southern California or an inside Block of Orange.

I had told Charlotte ahead of time that I wasn’t going to be buying anything extra for her, so if she wanted something, she needed to bring her own money. She has a jar of bills that she puts any money that comes in the mail or she gets for birthdays. She never touches it, but this time she was all for it! I told her she could only bring $10. Of course, it was burning a hole in her pocket by the time we stepped foot in the mall and we had to go directly to the Disney store (outlet). This child is OBSESSED with all stuffed animals. And she really does play with them all equally. So I was not surprised at all when she picked up a Vampirina doll. 

Then we went and ate lunch at the food court. Not the greatest options. Of course, Chick-Fil-A and Chipotle were on the outside of the mall, so we ate at Firebiuse Subs. I always forget how good that place is! Charlotte got a grilled cheese and I got the Turkey Bacon Ranch. Charlotte ate hers and said it was the best grilled cheese. That’s always a win when I can find a place where she likes to eat. And Naomi munch on the crust! (And yes, I had brought the baby more food!) 

I had told Charlotte we would ride the carousel as part of the trip to this mall. We needed to spend lots of time here because I knew she would be “bored” at home. I was a little surprised that it cost $3 (am I just too cheap), so just Charlotte rode.  Naomi and I watched and enjoyed that just as much. Of course Charlotte had to pick the “Mer-horse” in the middle and next to someone. The entire thing was practically empty. Oh well. 

It was a fun little outing. I haven’t been to that mall since we lived in Charlotte the first time. We walked around to kill more time. On our way back home, we stopped at Andy’s Frozen Custard, due to a recommendation from a friend. It was good! Josh wants to try it so I’m sure we will be back sometime soon.

 

Naomi Is Ten Months Old

On Monday, Naomi turned ten months old! She is such a busy, squirmy, calm, cuddly baby. I love her to pieces. I hang out with her all day and it is such a joy and I feel very fortunate.

Naomi is into everything! She puts everything in her mouth! She loves my food and prefers it over baby food (can you blame her)! And I am misty excited she only has two more months of formula! I hate buying it and making bottles, but so so so grateful for them too!

She has funny personality, always tilts her head, like she’s really trying to understand what you’re saying. She can turn on the charm when people walk by and then whine soon as they’re out of sight. Ha! 

Charlotte and her have the sweetest relationship still (thank heavens) and she lights up when Charlotte gets home every day from school! (Charlotte our this birthday crown on her to celebrate her “birthday.”) 

She still doesn’t have any teeth. We are hoping those start to come in soon, but we also have to consider her adjusted age. She will pull herself up on me if I’m laying next to her but not up on the furniture. She’s still so little. 

Everyday I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for blessing our family with this little spirit. She is just what we needed!! 

Connecticut New Year

We arrived in Connecticut very early on December 26 and I was exhausted.  Naomi and I went straight to bed when we arrived at my in-laws.  Charlotte was way too excited to play with her cousins to even think about being tired!!  
Always a highlight of our Connecticut trips is Duckpin bowling!  I think I was the only one who didn't participate because I didn't want to have to constantly wash my hands while holding Naomi.  I love to bowl though, but the germs, I just can't!  The kids all had a blast and Charlotte did pretty well!!














There was a lot of play that happened.  And thank goodness for Gram's amazing dressup clothes!!  Everyone loved Naomi as well.  It's nice for everyone to see her since she is changing so much!! Rowan and Naomi were so sweet together too. He was just the sweetest and finally warmed up to me!





One night we went to Cream and Sugar Cafe.  It's known for their outrageous ice cream sundaes.  The kids all got their own ice cream and then a few of the adults got this "Cookie Brownie Party Freak Sundae."  Yeah, it was insane.  It definitely is all about the presentation.  It was still good though.  I mean, you can't really go wrong with ice cream!!


















On New Years Eve, we had the kids countdown first.  Thanks Netflix!  The kids celebrated and klinked their bubbly together!  














I don't know if any of the adults made it to midnight.  Josh and I called it quits pretty early.  But HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
We flew home on New Years Day.  I am surprised how smooth all of our flights went.  I can't remember if I already said that in my previous post.  And I have a greater appreciation for direct flights!!  It was a fun trip and I am glad we got to go see everyone!!

California Christmas

This year, we decided to go to Orange County, CA for Christmas. If you didn’t know, I was born and raised in Southern California and Josh and I lived there when Charlotte was born. When Charlotte was just shy of a year and a half is when we first moved to Charlotte, NC. Josh started his career there and we have a lot of wonderful memories. It has been over two years since we had been back (Michael wedding was our last time there) and I really wanted all four of my grandparents to meet Naomi! That was my biggest motive for the trip. Josh had been onboard from day one of mentioning my idea. We booked our flights back in August and planned out every day before we arrived. It was truly like being in heaven, being back. Until we had to fill up the gas tank. ;) Southern California will always be a special place to me and where our family began. The girls were so good on the many plane rides out west and Naomi didn’t make a peep!  Some charmed everyone she met! I’ll just go through each day. Feel free to just skim the photos. :) 

Day 1 we went to the Happiest Place on Earth! It was an early morning and we made it in the park about 30 minutes after it opened. We are not ones to run all over the park but to mosey around and soak it all in. We made our way to Tomorrowland and Josh and Charlotte walked on Space Mountain. We were already off to a good start. We went on the Buzz Lightyear ride, Naomi’s first Disneyland ride! I think she was just overwhelmed. Her head kept moving back and forth. Just trying to look at everything. Pure magic for me! Next we went on the rockets and she loved it! I mean, of course she did! 

It was pretty crowded, you know when The Haunted Mansion has over an hour long wait. But we still managed to go on every single ride we wanted! I honestly could go to Disneyland every day. I definitely miss the days I did go a lot and am glad I have those memories! 

Day 2 started with visiting my Neilson grandparents. I was so happy that they were feeling up to a visit. It meant so much to me to go see them and have them meet Naomi! Naomi is named after my grandpa’s mom. I have been excited for them to meet her since I found out I was pregnant. They are such strong, faithful individuals and an amazing couple who have been such an example to me over my lifetime. 

Afterward, we headed to Newport Beach, took the girls to see the temple and then to Sprinkles. 

Balboa Island was up next to watch the boat parade. We got there early, walked around, Josh got his frozen Banana, and crossed over on the ferry. We ate at one of my favorite places, BJ’s! We started losing the Charlotte due to our messed up time change and had to leave about the time the boat parade was starting. We were able to see a lot of the boats as they headed toward the beginning of the route and walked alongside all the decked out houses! 

We started day 3 at my favorite breakfast location, Las Brisas in Laguna Beach. Their breakfast is amazing. My favorite thing to do (besides Disney) is go out for breakfast! I had mentioned in our reservations we wanted an ocean view and we sure got one! We were there for a while and then walked around Laguna Beach. 

Afterward we headed down to San Clemente to purchase some Rainbows and enjoy another beach city. While we were there, I needed to change the baby and we needed to use the facilities. We went to the new outlets for just this purpose. They were really nice! So weird to have outlets in that area, but great at the same time. I wish they had been there when I lived there! 

For dinner, we headed to The Shops at Mission Viejo to meet my grandparents at Ruby’s. We didn’t do any shopping, but it was fun to see the mall I used to go to all the time! We had a great dinner and Naomi was a big hit!! 

Saturday, Day 4, we started at Melinda park for a couple hours. The weather was so nice and it was great to let Charlotte play for a while. The whole day was just hanging out. Lunch at Cafe Rio, Irvine Spectrum, Pieology and more!!

Sunday morning we headed to my Sheppard grandparents and went to church with them. I was so happy to see my former Young Women’s President from my high school days and visit with her a bit. We had lunch and visited with my grandparents and Aunt Robyn. The dress Naomi is wearing was made by my Grandma Sheila for me! 

Later that afternoon, I wanted to get a picture of the girls with the Santa at South Coast Plaza. When we arrived, we learned that there was a five hour wait!! Um, excuse me?? So my dreams of that were shattered!  

Next we went to the Charlie Brown display in Costa Mesa. Charlotte loved it, especially the free train rides!

Christmas Eve we headed back to Disney and went to California Adventures. It was crowded, of course, but nothing that took away from the magic! We had so much fun!! My grandparents gave Josh and I some sweatshirts my Grandma had made over the years. At night we put batteries in them and were “lit!” It was freezing when we arrived so I put Naomi in a fleece onesie...hence the outfit change! 

Christmas Day we started with my Sheppard grandparents in Yorba Linda. Santa went to their house so the girls stockings were hung and ready to be opened. Charlotte did receive two L.O.L. Surprise dolls. I don’t get the hype, but she was happy! We spent the morning eating breakfast, opening presents, and enjoying each other’s company. (And I don’t have any pictures of Christmas morning!)

Around noon, we headed toward Jim and Janice’s house (my dads twin brother) to spend the afternoon with the Neilson’s. Thank you so much for hosting and inviting us to spend the holidays with you! Here is the only picture I got with Naomi and my cousin’s daughter, Taylor!

That evening around 4:00, we headed to LAX. We got there in about an hour! Much quicker than anticipated. We waited for a while, but eventually got on the red-eye to Hartford, CT. 

We had a great time in California and I’m so glad we were able to make it happen. A HUGE thank you to the Gregg Family for letting us stay at there house and making us feel so welcome! And to my Aunt Robyn for letting us use her car the entire trip! Wow! We fee so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family!