Here Comes Santa Claus

I took the girls and their friend Hailey to visit Santa at the Jelly Belly. It's tradition every year. It's been the same Santa every year. He's very authentic and really takes the time to talk to the kids. They let you use your camera so the photos you take are free. Mrs. Claus is there too and tells you fun stories as you stand in line. We had a great time. Hailey didn't have a Santa hat, so Mrs. Clause let her wear hers. So nice.

Thanksgiving

My parents came to visit us for Thanksgiving. I had to work everyday they were here except for Thanksgiving (glad Costco is closed on Holidays). We did get up at 2am for black Friday. We were at Target at 2:30am and there were already over 200 people in line. They spent the night with fold out beds and sleeping bags. It's getting crazier every year. We had a great visit with them. Wish they could have stayed longer. The few days they were here went by fast.

Halloween

I know it's way past Halloween, but I'm a little behind. We went downtown and got some cute photos of the girls' friends (Hailey & Katie) and our neighbor, Ian. When we went downtown, I matched Maia as a cowgirl. On Halloween, I matched Carissa as a kitty.

Celebration! Adoption & Birthdays

We celebrated Braeden & Jaxson's adoption along with Kayla & Kameron's birthday. To add to the fun, we broke out the Rockstar Stage. The cousins had a lot of fun together!

Finally! The Adoption Is Complete! Oct. 13

What a special day! We thought this day would never come.
It was so cute to see the Braeden & Jaxson sign their names.

Here is just the immediate family. Scott had to work, but wishes he was there.

Here's a photo of everyone who came to support Mark & Stacie. What a huge turn-out! Even the judge was impressed. Many of the friends and family had to take the day off of work or go into work late since it was a weekday.

They Must Be Twins! Oct. 3

Even though they are not identical twins, they sure do act like it sometimes. Maia lost her tooth Sunday night and in about 2 seconds, Carissa lost her's. Amazing! Great opportunity for cute pictures. The toothfairy must have been so overwhelmed that she didn't take their teeth or leave anything for them. So I advised the girls to leave them under their pillow one last night. They were so excited to get a dollar (always decorated over the top with sparkles and stickers) and two shiny pink quarters each. The toothfairy really made up for the delay!

Nicholas Sparks Book Signing for Safe Haven - Sept. 24

My friend, Sandy and I went to to Borders in Sacramento to see Nicholas Sparks. We went in the morning to get our wristbands and came back later that night. We had a blast. He hasn't been in Sac/CA for 2 years. I saw him 2 years ago and I swear the number of women in attendance has doubled making it not as pleasant (way overcrowded and hot). I say women because there is always just a handful of men. Last time he was willing to sign a whole stack of books and anything you had. Now he only signs the current release. I'm sly though because when it was my turn, the Borders staff told me no (I brought that last two books and a few older ones), only the current book. I ignored them. I slide two Nicholas' older books in front of him and he signed them. I'm waiting for Sandy to email me the photos of me getting my books signed so I can post them here. I was really star struck when I first met him 2 years ago, but not so much this time. Sandy and I had great Thai food afterwards at a local restaurant nearby.

Our Visit To Solvang, CA Sept. 18 - Danish Days Festival

We went to visit my parents for the weekend to go to Solvang with them. A very cute town. Worth going if you have never been. It's near Santa Barbara in the hills. Solvang began as a Danish-American colony in 1911. In 1936 the town issued an open invitation for others to come and join them in celebrating their Danish Heritage - Danish Days. Next year there is going to be a HUGE celebration because they will be celebrating two events: 100 year anniversary of colonization and 75 anniversary of Danish Days. Eat and shop are the two main things you do here. Be prepared to gain weight. Loved their Danish sausage and LOVED Aebleskiver.Above they are watching Aebleskiver being made. Below is what they look like. A cross between pancake and donuts. Dusted with powder sugar and layered with sweet warm runny jam.

This is Hans Christian Anderson, well, Randel McGee actually. He is a very good impersonator. Loved his Danish accent and super talent. He is by far the best storyteller I've come across. All the stories are from memory with lots of animation in his voice and body language. Lot's of audience participation too for sound effects. The most amazing thing is that he cuts out a delicate artpiece from an oridinary piece of white paper while he's telling his story with tiny scissors. The cut out is a illustration of the story he is telling. I want to try to get him to come to Vacaville to do a show at the library next summer.

He gave my dad one of his cut-outs. My Dad framed it nicely afterwards.

Giant Danish Shoe

Carissa & Maia Go To Hollywood!

Mickey Mouse Star

In Front of Mann Grauman's Chinese Theatre

where all the movie stars go for to watch their movie premier.

The girls with their Grandma and Grandpa Pollaccia.

Judy Garland Feet and Hand prints.

Donald Duck Foot prints.

Shirley Temple's Feet and Hands.

Marilyn Monroe's Feet and Hands. She made did this for her premiere of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. She actually took the diamond out of her ring and used it to dot her eye in her name. Of course, soon after someone stole it. They have since filled it with glass.

Putting their hands on Monroe's prints.