Christmas Morning at Grandma Sue and Papa Ray's

These pictures crack me up...

Noelani Christmas morning 2009, in Grandma Sue's playroom.

Yay! We love Christmas.

Hot dog swinger

What a difference a year makes!!

Our little Christmas Tradition

Every year around Christmas we stroll along Naples.
No, not in Italy, but in Long Beach. It's our little
Cinco family tradition.

Noelani checking out the boats go through
Naples Island.



Our family photo, and yes Noelani is crying.



Noelani with Sarahbell. Patrick and Danny (Sarahbell's daddy)
have been close friends since kindergarten.
It's so wonderful for our girls to grow up together.


The Cincos and Conleys


Patrick and I on our "date night". Grandma Sue watched Noelani
and we were able to enjoy his work party. Almost too much. ;)

Noe's Singing Debut

Here's Noelani's rendition of "Twinkle, twinkle, little star", with a slight emphasis on the ending.

A two-fer

I got a package today and Noe got a new "toy"!! She loves her new box and so do I. It kept her occupied for at least 45 minutes. ;)

Doin' the Noe do.

Dancing to the music of a Christmas band at the
Long Beach Marketplace.

Sayin' cheese.

Shopping for some "holiday" shoes.

Absolutely loving music...she's shakin' her maracas!

Waiting oh so patiently to see if Mama will let her
have some frozen yogurt.

The Naughty Chair

Here's Noe during her first time on the "naughty chair". She wouldn't listen to Mom or Dad and walked across the driveway (behind our cars) and onto the neighbors yard (which is filled with dog poop). So needless to say, we finally followed through, and yes those are real tears and a snot bubble.

Our woodland fairy

Ok, maybe not woodland fairy. How about front yard fairy? ;)

The best gift of all...loving memories.

We pulled out our Christmas tree today. It's an artificial tree, but it's so beautiful. I didn't think anything of it, but as I started to put it together it hit me how special this tree is to our family. It used to belong to my Grandma and Grandpa. I just remember how my Grandparents would work together to put it up. Grandpa would set it up and put on the lights, and my Grandma would decorate it. My Grandpa isn't with us this year, but it sure does feel good to have such great holiday memories warming our home. We love you Grandpa and miss you lots!!!

Lovin' her oatmeal

Noelani loves her some oatmeal and takes the biggest bites!!!

Lagging big time

Sorry it's been awhile. My camera broke and it feels a bit crazy around here lately. Here's a little photo that Pat and I love! She looks like such a big girl.

Love to everyone. Don't let the holidays get you too crazy. Take time to enjoy the season!!

Making Playdough

Mama's little helper. Our first attempt at making playdough. Tutu and all.

Front yard greeter

Today Noelani and I were in our front yard doing the usual chalk art and bubbles. We have a highschool that is at the end of our street, so the kids always walk by after school. It was hilarious to see the "cool kids" crack a smile and even wave when Noe said, "he-woa!" and "hey friends...where going?" I died laughing. She's usually so shy, but every once and awhile she'll bust out something and surprise us. I guess she did it yesterday too with my Mom and her friends. While I was teaching one "Auntie" Pilates, I heard my Mom and the rest of the ladies singing and playing with Noe. When I came out to see what they were up to, they had let Noelani color their faces with chalk and they were playing Ring around the Roses. Brave and wonderful women!!

Hangin' with Daddy's boards

As many of you know, Patrick has quite the surfboard collection. While I was doing laundry, Noe decided to explore the board collection. :)

Noe...our reality tv-show

Do you ever have those days where reality hits you? When you realize how fast time is flying? And what is really important? I realize it more and more with Noe. She has become so much fun lately. She's putting together lots of words, making little sentences. She's running all round making up dance moves and making us laugh and laugh. I catch myself just watching her soak everything up like a little sponge. She is such an amazing little girl. We feel so blessed. Man, life is good. Love to everyone!!

Art Princess

For the past 3 or 4 months, Noe has been in love with making her own artwork. Sidewalk chalk, markers, crayons, you name it! When it's been quiet for too long, I always seem to find a "tatooed" child. Here are some of her shining moments!!



After too many shining moments, I thought I would harness her inner "art princess" and take her to the open studio at this great little Art Studio for kids. She loved it and the only tantrum was when we had to leave.




Here she is with Daddy. Her art mentor.

Early Thanksgiving 2009

The Ingersoll Early Thanksgiving
My Dad's side of the family gets together to celebrate Thanksgiving
every year and it's always a good time. We are all kooky and crazy and
it's just fun to see each other. My Parents' hosted it this year, so it was
extra comfy. Gotta love family and food!

Auggie, Canyon, Austin, Alyssa & Noelani
The next generation checking out Papa Ray's pond. We were
all in amazement that now it's OUR kids running around.
We could all remember when we were the little ones playin' and
gettin' in trouble. I guess we've passed on the torch.

One more!

My tough Samoan. Patrick is so awesome. We had already gone to a
party on Friday night, but he didn't even think twice about dressing
up to take Noe trick-or-treating. I love that man!!

Halloween Festivities

Noelani in the Wilcox family costume. I think all of us and
now 5 grandkids have worn this costume. Way to go
Grandma Sue ~ the best costume designer ever!!



The skydiver and the roller mama.



You had to see the skates for the full effect. ;)

Hope everyone had a great Halloween!

Bathtime besos

After a long afternoon of decorating for Halloween it was time for a nice warm bath for Noe and Nate. They played, and ran all around but they also found time for a little bathtime kiss. So sweet. Gotta love it. Plus, aren't the buddy bath photos just the best?

Stinky Binky

Noelani still uses her pacifier ~ "binky". Yes, we know it's a crutch for all involved, but whatever. Anyway, we went to our mommy-n-me exercise class today and somewhere along the route I dropped the binky that was folded in the waistline of my pants (a habit I started when I had my hands full of tons of baby gear). She did great during the class, but after it was not so fun. I looked all over the grass for it, but all that I found was shrapnel. Yes, it was mowing day and the city gardner had his way with Noe's binky. Boo!!!! We only have 1 left and I'm going to guard that thing with my life!

Family weekend

Not much to say, but we had an amazing weekend. Patrick didn't have to work and we had a ton of fun.





CLOWNING AROUND AT THE USC GAME


ALWAYS TIME FOR THE PARK



LOVIN' THE BEACH WITH MAMA'S SWIMSUIT ON

HANGIN' AT AUNTIE CECIL'S WITH COUSIN MANDY