New Years Eve

We had a very quiet New Years Eve! We spent most of the day taking down our Christmas decorations and getting the house cleaned and back in order. One of my gifts this year was a new mini chocolate fountain, so we started a new tradition and had a new dessert!

 We dipped strawberries, bananas, marshmallows, pound cake, crackers, popcorn, and anything else we could find. It was delicious and I think I ate about a pound of chocolate!
While waiting for midnight, we watched Mirror, Mirror in front of the fireplace...

We watched the Dick Clark's New Year's Eve Countdown with Ryan Seacrest. Joe dozed on the couch, but the kids and I easily made it this year! We toasted at midnight with our Martinelli's Sparkling Cider...

 blew our horns, and popped our confetti...

Happy New Year!! Here's to a hopeful, happy, and healthy 2013!!

L.A. Bound

We decided to head up early for the Clippers game to spend some time in L.A. We went back to Hollywood Blvd. for some more time looking at celebrity stars, Grauman's Chinese Theater, and the Kodak Theater shopping center.

 

The tree in the middle of the Kodak Theater center was beautiful!

I had found some great discount coupons for Madam Tussaud's Wax Museum, so we spent an hour or so touring the many celebrity wax figures! At first the kids thought it was kind of weird, but then everyone got into taking pictures with them. Some of them really are incredible!

Cooper loved Daniel Craig (aka James Bond!)...

 

Joe had fun posing with Obama...

 I couldn't resist a picture with Robert Pattinson (aka Edward!)...

Coop wished this was really Kobe!

 Interviewing with Ryan Seacrest...

 and you just can't leave without a photo with Michael Jackson!

It was fun, and something a little different to do with the kids. We found a delicious bakery too, and left with a High Hat cupcake that was absolutely delicious!

Next up, we headed to The Grove. It was packed, freezing, and it looked like a storm was coming in.

Although it was cold, and we had to battle the crowds, it was absolutely beautiful, and we had a great time shopping and wandering through the old farmers market.

The sun was setting over L.A. as we left to head to the Staples Center...

 Our seats for this game were so much better than the last time we were here! We were in the Premier section with padded seats and waiter service!

 The Clippers were facing off against the Utah Jazz...

 The game was very exciting, and the Clippers are the best team in the league right now!

 Cooper's favorites are Chris Paul, and Blake Griffin.

 We had a ton of fun cheering on the Clippers to their 17th win in a row!

I'm so sad it was over so quickly, but we enjoyed our fun family day, and Cooper was thankful for this gift!

Should I be worried?!

Since I was heading to Orange County to meet up with my friends Christy and Kim, Mimi met Zoe and I at South Coast Plaza to do a little shopping (time to make some returns and exchanges from Christmas!).  While I was looking at boots, Zoe was picking out all kinds of crazy and fun high heels. I'm not quite sure where her taste comes from, but it isn't from me! She found these VERY high, blinged out Steve Maddyn heels and fell in love!

 I thought for sure that she would think they were uncomfortable, but she informed me that they are way more comfortable than pointe shoes!

She was quite obsessed with them, and proceeded to wear them and walk around the store for almost a half an hour! She was thrilled to see she was even taller than Mimi in them!

Even though she begged for them, and informed me that she could "totally pull off the look", we told her no way, and Mimi said she could have them for her 16th birthday. Knowing my daughter, she will hold her to that promise!
I left to meet up with my friends, and Mimi and Gramps took the kids to Dave and Busters for dinner and games.

 Gramps, Jeff, and Cathy watched the kids play and win tickets.

 I'm so bummed I didn't get a picture with the girls, but we had a nice dinner, and Christy and I spent some much needed time at the spa! I sure am loving being on a break from our regular day to day schedule.

Fun on the ice...

While Cooper spent a few days at Mimi's house hanging with Jax, Zoe had fun enjoying a sleepover with Lacey, and then meeting up with some of the girls from dance for an afternoon of ice skating in Old Town.

 Lindsay and Zoe stuck together most of the time. It was a beautiful day, and the rink got pretty crowded. They made the best of it though, and had lots of fun!

Afterwards, we spent some time walking around Old Town, eating, and doing some window shopping with the girls before heading to a master class at the studio.

Christmas Day 2012

 Love seeing their smiling faces as they're getting ready to head down the stairs!

 We had a fun morning opening gifts! Boy, was everyone spoiled!!

 Cooper got fingerboard stuff, a PSP Vita, electronic drum set, clothes, and more!

 Zoe was loaded up with clothes, jewelry, cash towards her dance summer intensive savings, and her own Visa gift card for some shopping at the mall.

Joe and I were spoiled too, with clothes (I love my new Burberry jacket!), jewelry, and some money towards our backyard landscaping project!

 After a few hours of cooking, Mimi and I put out a big spread.

 The boys drank their sparkling cider out of martini glasses, and were being quite silly with their pinkies up!

 I sure love these kiddos...

 Sonya, Morgan, Camilo and Nathan made it for dinner too!

 Bobbie even joined in the fun!

 Martin made it too, and liked his new sweatshirt from Mimi...

 Sonya opened some new clothes and toys for Morgan...

 So glad everyone could make it for Christmas!

 Zoe got lots of cuddle time with Morgan...

After being completely stuffed and spoiled, it was time to head home to see what Santa brought, and open our own presents!

 They quickly headed upstairs to check their mini stockings in their rooms...

 then came down to check out their "big" gifts!

 They loved their new iHomes from Santa, along with an XBox game for Coop and the Hunger Games DVD for Zoe.

 Time for more gifts!

 Fingerboard stuff, and this fun spinning plate game that Zoe had seen when we were at DisneyWorld last year!

 She got a locket that she had wanted, along with some more cash for shopping (and saving!)

 Cooper was thrilled with his tickets to an L.A. Clippers game next week!

 Joe loved his new photo coffee mug, cutting board, and cologne...

 I was spoiled with some fun kitchen gadgets, bath and body products, and gift card.

It was a wonderful Christmas and I feel truly blessed!