Christmas

We had a very busy Christmas this year. I think there were at least 15 people in the house at once for a 48 hour period for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Along with all our family here in Southern California, Amber, Josh, Brayden and Dylan, along with Granny and Papa, came in from Arizona and Adam's Dad, stepmom and brother were here from Pennsylvania. Then we headed up to Bakersfield the day after Christmas to visit the Caudill side of the family, most of whom I have never met and Adam has not seen in a very long time. It was hectic and chaotic at times, but it was great. We very much enjoyed spending the holidays with everyone.

Cousins playing so well together

but then we tried to get a group shot and Stella was too much of a diva to cooporate.

Dylan, Brayden, Stella, Timothy and Andrew

Dylan and Tigger :)

Stella and Elmo

Stella's newest cousin...Murphy

The Family

Stella got an airplane from Grandma Jojo

Thankgiving in Pismo Beach

For Thanksgiving, we joined the Guizado's in Pismo Beach for the Thanksgiving weekend. We had great weather and lots of fun getting away for the weekend.

Stella really enjoyed her first Thanksgiving meal.

Checking out the tens of thousands of butterflies that come to Pismo every year.

Stephanie and Stella

Ericka and Adam getting ready for a bike ride with Russ.

Northwest Trip

In November, Stella and I joined Adam for a road trip to the Northwest with stops in Portland, Seaside, Seattle and Vancouver. We spend the weekend in Seaside, where Adam used to live while in the Coast Guard, and took a drive down the coast. Despite the rain cold weather, we had a great time. The Oregon coast is always beautiful. Adam and I had a great time visiting places that we used to go when I visited him in Oregon.

Stella took her first carousel ride at the Seaside Mall. She wasn't too sure about it.

Stella checking out downtown Seattle from our hotel room.

Stella & Santa

Stella's 1st picture with Santa...but really her 2nd because in the 1st one we took at Victoria Gardens, she looks frightened, so we tried again at the Shoppes a few days later with much better results.

Halloween

Adam and I attended a Zombie Prom Halloween party on Friday and Stella was a little bumble bee.

Stella at 6 Month's Old

I can't believe that Stella is 6 months old already. It seems like just yesterday I found out I was pregnant. So last week, we had her Auntie Ericka take a photos and of course we had to have a few wardrobe changes. Here are some of my favorite. The last couple pictures are an outfit that my Aunt Barbara made for me when I was a baby and my mom kept and gave to me when I was pregnant with Stella.

Philadelphia & Gettysburg

A few weeks ago, Adam, Stella and I, along with my parents, traveled to Philly for a mini-family reunion with my aunt and cousins and all of our kids. We also made a trip to Gettysburg to see Adam's dad and step-mom. We had so much fun visiting family that we don't get to see often enough as well as enjoying the sights of Philly and Gettysburg. Stella had her first plane ride and first train ride. At 6 months old, she has already been on a plane, train, bus and boat. She is a lucky little girl that gets to experience a lot.

Stella was such a good traveler. I am so proud of her.

On the Gettysburg, PA Battlefield Tour. Since I was in a wheelchair, I didn't get off the bus.

In Independence Hall in downtown Philadelphia.

My cousin Kathy and Stella

At Valley Forge

Stella and I with my cousins Kathy and Jennifer and their kids David, Felicia and Alexandra. Trying to get a group shot was almost impossible when the all the kids wanted to do was play.

My parents at Gettysburg

Stella and my Aunt Barbara

The girls. Best we could do with a 6 month old and two 3-year-olds.

View from the train ride through the Pocono's

Everyone ready for the train ride.

The had a special lift for the handicapped<---me

At Valley Forge, where Washington's troops stayed during the winter of 1777-1778. The house behind us is where George Washington stayed.