Early Celebration...

Since we were vacationing for 9 days over Christmas, my dad and step mom drove down for an early celebration. I think the only other Christmas that I didn't spend with my dad was my Senior year in high school when my mom and I traveled to Hawaii. I was cheering in the half time show of the 1994 Hula Bowl...was tough to be away from the rest of our family but it was certainly warm and exciting to explore the islands!

The girls loved having dad and Anna here for a quick visit and lots of snuggle time.

 Since dad built his own life-sized Cobra a few years back he has been collecting models of them...can you tell he's thrilled? Ha!

 Izzy's face doesn't tell how excited she was. This holiday all she wanted was kits to make her own jewelry (as if she needs more accessories!). We made bracelets the rest of the weekend...and they turned out so cute!

 Mike and I exchanged a few presents before we left and I had framed the instructions of a model boat my grandfather started building many years back. When my Nana and Grandfather moved out of their house and into a retirement community a few years ago we all were able to save a piece of their lives...which was such an honor and so special that we had this opportunity. Mike jumped on the opportunity to salvage some of my grandfather's model boats he was building and we have them on display in our front "boat themed" room of our house. When we moved into our new house we unpacked a box of all the books on boats that came with the models and tucked inside one of them were the instructions for the "Sea Witch"...I immediately knew I wanted to frame it.

 Dad is holding the start of the Sea Witch that Grandfather built. Love having this piece of Grandfather's history.

 And as for Laney, all she wanted this year was a Baby Wanna Walk. She asked Santa when we met him. She begged Coca (our elf on the shelf) for him nightly. Thankfully dad surprised her with the little walking, talking beauty...and she has been pushing her around (in a new stroller, thanks to Jaim!) and walking her ever since.

Thanks to Dad & Anna for coming down to spend special time celebrating the holiday early with us...love you guys!