Holiday Fun

Christmas break has officially begun in the Heald household! One of the many perks of having two parents that are teachers is Hannah being able to spend a whole two weeks with mom AND dad. :) We are looking forward to the events we have planned during our break, along with the relaxing we'll be able to do. We've already created some fun holiday memories this month. Hannah visited Santa not once, not twice, but three times! :)  Her first visit was with our neighborhood Santa. In Rohnert Park, Santa comes to visit each neighborhood on a different night over a two week span. Our section was the first neighborhood to receive a visit from Santa on my birthday (Dec. 3). Hannah was so excited as we walked down to the neighborhood park to see Santa with her friends. She chanted "Santa, Santa!" most of the way there, however once Santa came rolling around the corner with Mrs. Claus she wasn't so sure. No tears with the first visit (she willingly went up with mom to see Santa), yet she was eager to get out of Santa's sleigh and snuggle in dad's arms. :) That evening we also put up and decorated our tree (perfect way to end my birthday evening). There is something about the smell of a fresh xmas tree, decorated with white lights and childhood ornaments that I just love. I can't help but feel happy every time I walk into our house this time of year.    


Ready to see Santa in her neighborhood

So excited!

Wasn't too sure

Kisses from dad



With her friends Ian and Leah

The following week after another visit with Santa (in her friend Kenzie's neighborhood), we drove around to look at Christmas lights (a new favorite tradition of Hannah's). There is one house in Rohnert Park that goes above and beyond every year. The owner begins setting up the structure for his Christmas decorations just after Halloween. The house is seriously like a miniature Disneyland! It is breathtaking. Last year Hannah was mesmerized by the lights, this year she noticed all the intricate details (moving Ferris wheel of characters, bubble machine putting out bubbles from the rooftop, waterfall, miniature village and train set, the list goes on...). If you live in Sonoma County you have to check it out! (1190 Cielo Cir.)




This house is incredible!

We traveled to Windsor so that Hannah could see Santa yet another time with her friend Nico. Nico sat on Santa's lap first and was completely traumatized. Hannah looked on in horror at her friend screaming on Santa's lap. When it was her turn she was willing to sit on the bench by herself or with Nico, but didn't want anything to do with Santa. She was finally willing to read a story with Santa. When I asked her if she wanted to share a candy cane with Santa she willingly did so, however wasn't so happy when I plopped her on Santa's lap for a quick picture. The picture is pretty much identical to last year's pic. :)



Nico was still upset from sitting on Santa's lap

Reading a story with Santa and Mom

Check out her grip on her candy cane :)

We've had a relaxing start to our two week break. Friday night I enjoyed some Old Chicago Pizza, wine, Cold Stones Ice cream cake and chick flicks with the girls, while Hannah and Josh had a father/daughter night. We went to a Christmas Party at Jeremy and Sandra's Saturday night and are meeting up with our Survivor group for the season final this evening. This week is filled with more get togethers with friends, cookie baking, a pedicure (for mom), and play dates for Hannah. On Thursday we hit the road to Reno for Christmas with Josh's family. We can't wait to take Hannah sledding! Last year her reaction to the snow was very unsure. I'm pretty sure this year will be so much more fun. After our trip to Reno we'll be home for a few days before heading to Humboldt for a late Christmas with my family and New Years.

Morning dance parties in the kitchen

bath time fun



Thanksgiving, Showers, Birthdays and More!

Thanksgiving this year was held at our house (a tradition we started back in 2004). Both of our families travel to us, which we love! :)  This year was probably our most relaxing Thanksgiving yet. We enjoyed the beautiful weather, delicious food and Hannah created some special memories with her Grandma & Papa and Nonne & Nonnie.


Enjoying a snack with grandma

Riding her bike and loving the gorgeous Thanksgiving Day weather



Taking a break to call Auntie Cole

Thanksgiving 2010 Family Pic

Coloring with Papa

 Our good friend Scott celebrated his 30th birthday in November. We had a great dinner at "Hikuni Sushi Bar & Hibachi" in Santa Rosa. The food was delicious and our cook was very entertaining.

Sean, Nicole, Me, Josh, Scott, Tracey and Ian

Our table



Sake Bombs!!!



In November I put on a baby shower for my close friend Andrea. She and her husband Devin are due with their first child (Hudson) at the end of January. The shower had a Dr. Seuss theme and I was relieved the weather held out for the day. Andrea is going to be such an amazing mom. It won't be long before Hudson is here!

Cookies and Ice cream Sundae Order Forms

Green Eggs and Ham

With Andrea (the beautiful mom-to-be)

My little Cat In The Hat :)

Nicole and my mom visited the weekend of my 31st birthday. Hannah was so excited to have them join her for gymnastics Saturday morning. For my birthday we did our 2nd annual "brew/bar hopping event." Like last year the bus picked our group up at the Heald house and from there we headed out to Sebastopol to enjoy drinks and appetizers in their covered outdoor beer garden. Next stop was Stumpton Brewery in Guernville. Here we had dinner and enjoyed some more tasty beverages. Bear Republic Brewery in Healdsburg was our 3rd stop of the night and we ended our evening in downtown Cotati at Friar Tucks and The 8ball. It was a fun evening filled with good friends...can't wait for next year!

Having Fun At Gymnastics with Auntie and Dad

Group Photo at Hop Munk Tavern

The girls at Stumptown Brewery

With my sister and best friend

We recently purchased a new 2012 Toyota Highlander. We love our new vehicle! It's the perfect family car and I love it's new car smell. :) We drove it off the lot with 12 miles on the odometer.

Right before driving it home

Hannah ~20 months~

Where has the time gone?! Hannah is approaching two years old and we are both amazed at how much she's grown and changed over the past few months. She is quite the little momma to her babies/stuffed animals. She loves feeding them, changing their diapers, reading them stories and singing them songs. :) She is still VERY into dancing and music. We dance in the kitchen to my IPOD almost every night after dinner. :) She loves asking for "one more" song in the car when she wants me to change the station and bobs her head/moves her arms to the music.She still is going to the bathroom on the toilet, however we haven't started serious potty training yet and just allow her to go when she asks for now. She loves singing into the microphone on her stereo (two of her favorite songs are "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and "The ABC's"). Counting is also a new favorite (she can now count to 10...2 is her favorite number) and is into identifying  colors of objects, especially within books (green is her favorite color to point out). We think she may be transitioning to 1 nap a day very soon here (naps seem to be a little off schedule on the weekends lately), but for the time being she's still taking 2. She still will eat just about anything, however her current favorites are applesauce, edamame, olives and peanut butter on toast. She is very into her pets right now and loves feeding them and giving them hugs. :)Her little personality has really developed over the past few months. She has quite the sense of humor and loves making us laugh. We can't wait for winter break and two whole weeks off with her!!



Ready for her first dance class



Balance beam was one of her favorites



Thought she was soooo cool when wearing one of Nonnie's hair rollers

Ready for Leah's Mickey Mouse bday party

First cupcake

Feeling like a big girl :)

Playdate at our house with  her friend's Gavin and Nico

Cheeeese!!!

Road Trip to Oregon

 During the first part of November we took a road trip up the coast of California to Portland, Oregon.  On our way through Humboldt we dropped Hannah off with my family for a four night stay (the longest both of us have ever left her). Although it was so difficult leaving her, Josh and I enjoyed our getaway and the ease of siteseeing without a one year old. :) We traveled up north with our good friends Ian, Kara and Tracey. The main things we planned while in Oregon were visiting breweries we'd never been to, hiking to some breath taking waterfalls, and winetasting (the area we traveled to is known for their Pinots). Although the drive was long, we broke it up with many stops at new places along the way. It was so great to relax and have a much needed break from our hectic life in Sonoma County. :)  We both missed Hannah like crazy! I can't tell you how often we commented on how strange it felt to sit and eat a meal or enjoy a glass of wine without having to cut up food for and/or entertain Hannah. Our trip was frequented with many chats on the phone between us and her. Needless to say by the end of the trip we couldn't wait to get our hands on her and once back to Humboldt she couldn't stop giggling with excitement when she saw us and wouldn't let us out of her sight. :)

 Wild River Brewery in Grants Pass, Oregon (our first brewery stop of the trip).

 

Cathedral Ridge with the Colombia River behind us

With the girls (and Carter)

Wahkeena Falls

Latourell Falls

Multnomah Falls



Full Sail Brewery



Ponzi Winery-Tasting their Chardonnay
(Michelle Obama chose to serve this specific wine at Thanksgiving dinner in the White House)



Loved this small family owned winery