Cousins and Christmas

Here are a few pictures of Tanner with 2 of his 4 cousins. We spend Christmas day at my parent's house and Mark and Kristen were there with the kids. Once we go there I changed Tanner so he could match Jafta and India. It was such a fun Christmas watching the kids open their gifts. I gave India a baby princess doll and I think Jafta liked it more than India. Here are a few cute pictures of the three youngest Howerton/Lyons!

Jafta's 3rd Birthday Party

December is a busy month with 3 birthdays in our family, Christmas and New Years Eve. Yesterday was Jafta's 3rd Birthday and we all went to Pump It Up! For those of you new to the kid birthday party scene it is a place with several jump-houses set up for you to play on. Jafta was super excited for his party. He jumped his little heart out, along with India, Tanner and his little friends. It was so much fun to sit in one of the bouncers and watching Tanner and India crawling around and laughing. After an hour of bouncing we went in for some snacks and cupcakes. Jafta sat in a blow up chair as we all sang HAPPY BIRTHDAY to him.

Jafta loved his balloons. He had red, blue and Spider Man balloons!

India also got a chance to sit in the birthday chair. She is almost 15 months old. Check out their blogs that Kristen has set up for them on my links. Also Mark and Kristen are in the process of adopting another little guy. Read about it on the Bringing home Kembear link.

Christmas Time

Merry Christmas everyone! It's the most wonderful time of the year. We were so excited for Tanner's 1st Christmas. He had three chances to celebrate with our families. This is the first time with Tanner's Aunt Kelle. She was here before Christmas for a few days. She and Aaron spent Christmas in Kansas so we were so happy to have her here for a few days.
Somethings never change. Here is Kelle and Kipp just like many years in the past.

Kelle loves her baby T. and why wouldn't she! She is given him snuggles as he wears his I love Daddy shirt. We had such a good time at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Candy Cane Kids! Kelle gave me this top and I had to put it on to match Tanner!

Every year Glenda reads us a story before we open gifts to get us in the spirit. Well this year she bought Tanner a book and she read it as Grandpa, Tanner and the rest of us listened too.



This little guy is our favorite gift!




MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!

Look Who Turned 30!

So yesterday was my birthday! 12-21-77 So I turned 30! How fun. Maybe now people with think I am a grown up rather than a babysitter when I'm out with Tanner. I had such a great day! Tanner and I played at home and had some good times together. Then I went to Burke Williams for some me time! In the evening Kipp had planned a dinner for me, our families and some friends. It was the perfect day and I felt so loved. I was also blessed by phone calls form friends and families that live far away and that made me feel super special.


I am wearing my new birthday jacket thanks to Derek and Jackie! Thanks guys I love it! Looks like tired Tanner is again wearing moms favorite outfit!

Having some birthday cake with Kristi and Shannon. I'm glad that Jafta was there to help me blow out the candle and to eat some of the cake. His birthday is in a few days so he is just getting ready.

My beautiful friend Elise left her boys at home and come out with us. We have been friends for 12 years and now it is fun doing the mom thing with her.

Kipp family came up from San Diego. Kelle is in town for a few days from Boise. Aaron was finishing up the week teaching his High Schoolers and couldn't make it. It was great to have Kelle there and she has loved getting some Tanner time this week. Please look at Tanner's shoes, yes they have lobsters on them! I know!

To me my family is like a party in a box. India and Tanner sat by each other the whole meal. They are best friends. Every now and then Jafta would come over and give them kisses while telling us how soon Christmas and his birthday are. It was also my parents wedding anniversary and they loved spending it with our family.
Michael and Jodie are staying up in Washington for Christmas and they were missed.
It was a great birthday and I love being 30! I love my life! We have this amazing kid that we are crazy for, Kipp makes me laugh every day and we life in sunny So. Cal close to most of our family! Here's to another 30 years!

There's a Panda on the Sanda

Here is a cute family picture with Tanner in a Panda outfit (thanks grandma)! We are in San Clemente by the Pier. I love the way the light from the pier look reflecting on the water. I love when it gets dark earlier. We had a fun family day together just hanging out and we topped it off with dinner at Fisherman's.

The Happiest Place on Earth???

So Tanner was not super excited to see Minnie and Goofy. He loved looking around at all the lights that Disneyland had to offer. Then as soon as we stood by Mickey's friends the water works started! He was not a big fan. Poor guy. I wonder how he will be when we see Santa next week.



There's a smile on the boy!


Grandma and T waiting for the parade to start. You can see the Christmas tree in the background!




After a great night at Disneyland we said good night to the castle. I thought it looked so beautiful. We watch the parade, rode the new Finding Nemo ride that I loved. The sub ride was my favorite as a kid so I loved going on it new and improved. Then we saw an amazing firework show that Tanner couldn't stop looking at. Saying bye to the castle was a perfect ending to a perfect night. Tanner was asleep before we had left the paring lot!