A GBB Holiday

The holidays were so fun this year! We were finally able to attend a super fun GBB Christmas dinner (husbands and boyfriends included) at BJ's in Roseville. The boys got along perfectly while the girls chitty chatted the night away! I know all of us girls were super excited that the boys got along so well since this was the first time the four of them had all hung out together. Who knew it was just some pizza and a few beers to have them become BFF's?

Gregg and I were non-stop the entire break!! First arriving at Uncle Mark's house at 1am, picking up my Bachan on the drive down, spending the afternoon at my house with my parents, visiting with Gregg's parents that evening....back to his grandparents house for Christmas dinner, over to Gregg's mom's house for a birthday celebration - we definitely spent a lot of time in the car driving back and forth, but in the end it was worth all the miles and gas milage. The best part about being home for Christmas is that every year my parents always have their beautiful Christmas tree up every year so it's tradition that we take some pictures...(see below).

I think one of the best parts about being an Aunt/Uncle or Brother/Sister is the joy of watching the little ones open the gifts you've brought for them. The smile on their little faces and their hilarious reactions are sooo much fun to watch and experience, it's definitely worth every penny! I really love the little ones because all the girls in Gregg's family are at the age where they LOVE pretty princess type clothes and things. (It was a real treat watching Gregg hold princess outfits and crowns when we were shopping for them...shh don't tell him I told you)  Either way present opening is definitely one of my favorite traditions and now I'm on the other end as the 'giver' the reward is so much more gratifying!

As Gregg and I conversed on the LONG drive home we came to a big decision....this was going to be the last annoying drive for the holidays we'd ever do again....and boy were we right!!!

**Post to be continued.....**

A Disneyland filled Christmas!

Yesterday we decided to go to the happiest place on earth - yup that's right Disneyland!! Sarah and Patrick decided to join us for the fun day too! Gregg and I decided this year that instead of buying gifts we were going to go to Disneyland instead. It was especially fun this time since I had never been to the park when it was decorated like Christmas. Everything had perfect little touches, including the big castle as well. My favorie was the Haunted Mansion that was decorated in combo for both Halloween and The Nightmare before Christmas - it felt like a brand new ride.

The rides were definitely a lot faster and twisty than I remember them. I was happy to have Wara there with me. We chatted about everything, our jobs, kids names, arguments, moving, etc. I just love my wara!

Gregg and I decided to splurge on Disney hats to get in the mood! I got a cute little Minnie beanie and Gregg got a cute gray hat. I'm sure we'll never wear these again but it was fun for the day!

ooooOOOOOOOOOOOOoooo was the theme of the day! (Something Wara would only understand!)

The Hadley Family

Delivery for Mrs. Anderson

Well, it's official I have the best husband ever. On Wednesday I got an email notification that there was a package waiting for me down in shipping. Much to my surprise I opened up a box to find these pretty little babies! Mmmm chocolate covered strawberries and chocolate covered cherries - signed, "Harley".  

Then about 20 minutes later I got an IM from our receptionist telling me that I had a delivery at the front desk....I walked down to find this beautiful bouquet of roses and callalilies signed "Your Husband". Gregg wrote the most beautiful message that made me very teary eyed about how he was so excited to spend the holidays this year as husband and wife. It's the little things he does that let me know I married a good egg.  

Christmas Card and Letter #1

Since Greggory and I are now husband and wife I thought it appropriate to send out our very first Christmas card! We found it off this adorable webite tinyprints! Probably my new favorite website. Here is a little preview of what we sent out....

Up next was our first Anderson Christmas Letter! I had a heck of a time finding the energy and time to create this little masterpiece but due to a convienent little blackout we had, time was of the essence! I completed the letter with a few pictures and some fun holiday stickers and away we went. The letter talks all about our fun adventures, the wedding and some of the neat things we have done in 2009! It was so much fun to send out and I've already gotten a lot of great responses....can't wait for this annual tradition every single year!

Ugly Sweaters Everywhere!!!

This year has been quite the year for ugly sweater christmas parties!! I was a little late in finding a sweater of my own but luckily I was able to borrow one of my friend's instead!!!!! These pictures aren't in chronological order but needless to say they are DEFINITELY priceless!

Party #1 was at the Vivek/Perez household. Ana and Sidd were fabulous hosts and made us this delicious apple cider and had little presents for all of us!!! They were so thoughtful and even allowed Harley to join in on the fun! Don't worry he was equipped with a sweater and christmas collar as well!!

Ash, Ana and Me!

This is probably the best picture of the night. I am loving the fact that we are lined up like we're all at prom. It seriously looks like a family photo (which actually it is) :) We love our little Law School Family. Harley included!!!

Party #2 was at the wonderful KK's house!! Every time we've gone to Kari's she has made us a delicious appetizer, incredible dinner and WE'VE HAD A THEME!!! This year we decided to do none other than an ugly sweater party!!! I love going to KK's house because of all her anmials. Here I'm playing with one of KK's birds (shoot I forgot his name) and he was obsessed with biting my RING! I think he wanted the diamond - what a clever little birdie!

One of KK's neighbors stopped by and took a few silly pictures of us! I of course had to hold little sophie so that she was in the picture too!!!! We are so festive!

To end our fabulous wine and laughter filled night we decided to spontaneously go Christmas Caroling - wow that was fun!!! We had a nice medley of 3 different songs complete with hand motions, clapping and spirit fingers. You should be jellie that we didn't sing for you! Ha ha ha!

DD's and a Diamond in Newport!

Every year the DD's + Diamond celebrate the holidays with a fun Secret Santa gift and a yummy dinner. Usually we have this dinner in San Diego but in light of actually celebrating it with Stephy (who lives up in Longbeach) we decided to meet up halfway in Newport at the yummy restaurant The Cannery and instead of dinner we decided to have brunch. Here are a few fun photos of the girls and me!

Shaunna was my secret santa this year and got me some really cute stuff from Anthropoligie - my favorite store!!! I got a super cute apron, a delicious smelling candle, a new coffee cup with an A on it and an A ornament! It was the perfect holiday gift for me....thanks Shannie!

Lights, Lights and More Lights!

This holiday season has been so fun so far! In one weekend Gregg and I decided to experience two of the best San Diego light events all at once!! Last year the Mejia's showed us this special hiding spot called the Holiday of Lights in Del Mar so we decided to venture their first! The Del Mar racetrack brings in all these different lights and set's them up in fun and different ways. They are all so unique and so fun, it's definitely a sight to see (but very hard to capture on film). Since you just sit in your car and drive around the track Har obviously joined in on the fun in his cute jacket and all!

This is the only family shot we got! Ugh.

The next night we went to Balboa Park's December Lights! This event is so special because it's only in town for one weekend! Our good friends Ana and Sidd decided to join in on the fun. First we went to a really yummy dinner at Arrividerci in Hillcrest. I had never been there before and now I am a huge fan. Their bread, wine and pasta dishes are to die for and in such a cute little italian resturant. After our tummies were full we walked on to the beautiful Balboa Park to see all the festivities. They had a gorgeous tree decorated as the theme of Dr. Seuss so Ana and I HAD to take a picture!

The Anderson's & Vivek/Perez Families!

We didn't realize that at this fun event they do something called the taste of the world where they have all these tiny booths with different foods from each country!!! Since we had just eaten dinner we were too full to try anything but next year we will come prepared with empty bellies to try EVERYTHING.