well, hello...

yes i know, december has come and gone, and it is high time i posted something--so here i am. with an update. lucky you:) to begin, i graduated--yippee! what a good feeling it is to no longer have homework due, or classes to attend. don't get me wrong, i absolutely loved the special ed program at byu, and i really loved and will miss being a student; it was the time it took me away from my family that i didn't like. so here's to just being "mom" again!
to celebrate my graduation, we went to disneyland for christmas. jordan had never been, so we really went more for him than the girls--but we all had a wonderful time! it was raining the entire time we were there, but that didn't stop us from enjoying ourselves. and to be perfectly honest, it was kind of nice because the rain kept the crowds away--that means short lines:) our girls were complete troopers in the rain, and on all the rides. they didn't cry once--not even on pirates of the caribbean (which was good since we rode that one a couple of times). yes, our children are awesome.


also, if you haven't been to dinseyland at christmas time, i highly recommend it. i almost felt like it was my first time too, since i had never seen it so decked out in christmas. small world is an entirely different ride at christmas.


the girls really loved dumbo too, but their all time favorite ride at the park? you guessed it, the merry-go-round. we didn't mind taking them on it several times, since there was never a line, but seriously? we came all the way to disneyland to ride on something that can be found at a mall? whatever floats your boat babies...or floats your huge plastic horses, as the case may be...


another really fun detail about disneyland is that my mom came with us. not only was she fun to have around during the day, but she also volunteered to stay with the girls at night in the hotel so that we could go back out while they were sleeping. those late nights were so much fun! we felt like little kids running from ride to ride, ooohing and ahhhing at all the work that goes into the happiest place on earth...



yes, we had a fantastic time, and we can't wait to go back someday when the girls are older.


and did we mention the turkey legs...mmm...



during our trip to southern california, we were also able to visit with my uncle chuck and his family, as well as jordan's uncle john and his family. we had a blast with them, and we were so grateful for their hospitality. we then traveled up north so that we could be with my family during christmas. it was so fun to get all of the siblings and cousins together for some good old fashioned togetherness:)



we also got to meet the newest baby in our family, baby jonah, visit my uncle rich's house to sample his heavenly bbq-ed christmas turkey, and dress up like princesses...


after christmas, we were able to stay long enough to enjoy one swingin' new year's even party--and we even got a visit from the new year's baby!


it was a vacation thoroughly enjoyed, but after so many nights on an air mattress, we are happy to be home.


stick with us--more updates on potty-training (you like that diaper turned loin cloth above?), the new home front, and our cute girls to come soon!