Digital Christmas Card

In lieu of a post office mailed Christmas Card, the hubbs and I decided to make a digital card that can be mailed to those across the country and include photos. Some may say that it's cheating, but I still put as much time and effort into the card as I would normally have. Actually more. I thought it out and wrote a letter! Instead of going to Costco.com, picking out a photo one, mindlessly included photos and stated Merry Christmas from The Kimballs at the bottom. I thought I was being ingenious! Saving money AND my family gets some thoughtfulness and descriptions about our lives! Yes! Below is the Christmas Card for those who didn't get one! Sorry if I didn't have your email! <3

And Caroling Bells Ring

The hubbs and I have various traditions when it comes to our own tiny family Christmas. We usually paint a ceramic together. Watch Home Alone 1 & 2 (we need to get on this), decorate our apartment together, and bake Christmas cookies while listening to music. We also love to go to Disneyland for the holidays. Out of all the places in the world....Disney does it right. The decorations and atmosphere really put you in the mood. So the first weekend in December we and our annual passes made the trek to Anaheim. When we got there we saw that we came on the weekend that they were doing the Candlelight Performance. This is where a person reads the scriptures of the first Christmas and choir members sing caroles. This year it was read by Gary Sinise, one of my favorite actors. I told the hubbs that if we didn't do anything else that day I wanted to watch that.

It wasn't a very crazy day that day, but we decided that we didn't want it to be a traditional Mickey day. We wanted to do things that we normally don't do, including some of the rides. We went into Innovations, and on Autopia....a ride I haven't been on in 10 years. We watched the portion of the Christmas Fantasy parade that was my float, and I sung and danced a little choreography while in line for AstroBlasters. We even went on the Ferris Wheel inside California Adventures (for me that was a big deal!) We met a very nice family from Australia and spoke with them about the differences between here and there. We even got a chance to see my cousin, her husband and son too. They were going to the park the next day so they were staying at a nearby hotel for the evening.

At 4:00 we went back inside to claim our spots for the Candlelight. We were in the perfect spot for the flag retiring ceremony; we all stood and sang the National Anthem. Watched the lighting of the Christmas tree too. I stood and talked with a girl that worked in the parades too. We joked about all the fun things that we did. Once the ceremony started hundreds of choir members took their place in front of the train station on Main Street. The singing and scripture was so beautiful that it brought me to tears. When they had us join in singing Silent Night, I felt truly honored to be apart of it, with all the people that were watching and singing along. This is the spirit of Christmas. To be joined in unison, whether in song or otherwise and remembering who have come before us and what will come in the future. I was truly moved.

Afterward we ate dinner and walked over to where Santa's Reindeer were taking a break from flying practice. Went on a couple of more rides, then went and got some hot chocolate/coffee and picked out our places on Main Street for fireworks. We snuggled together to keep warm, and played Eye Spy with a little girl who was there with her father for the day. It just helped me see into the future of what a good father my hubbs is going to be. We watched the fireworks and listened to the music and when it started to snow (although I know that its soap) you couldn't help but look up in wonderment and feel that giddy kid feeling inside that this time of year brings. It was a wonderful day and helped us to get into the holiday spirit.

New shades!

Flag Retiring Ceremony

Flag Retiring Ceremony

Tree lighting and hundreds of people

The choir

Go Carts and Turkey

Ok...I am very behind in my Turkey Day recap. But all good things come to those who wait right?

As you know, the past 4 years my husband and I have spent Thanksgiving in Florida with my father and step mom. Due to my father being Catholic and my step mother being Jewish, the Christmas season wasn't too big in their house, so Thanksgiving is the important holiday to them. Even with my dad's passing we decided that we wanted to keep that tradition alive. Unfortunately due to some scheduling conflicts with the hubbs' work, we could not make the annual pilgrimage (pun intended) to Florida. While this pained me in the heart we decided to make due with this unforeseen circumstance and made plans to spend the food coma holiday with my family at my Aunt's home.

Our holiday started the evening before on Wednesday. A good friend from college had come back into town from Portland with her husband and new baby boy for a meet and greet. We met up at a local bowling alley and had some great conversation and met their adorable babe. (who is the spitting image of daddy!) It was great to see them and catch up. We have made tentative plans to travel to Portland within the year to visit. Wine tasting and sailing sound like a blast to me. Afterwards, Mr. P. had invited us out to a "bar crawl" in our local city. Not a bar hop because there really aren't too many places to go, but we still went out. We met up and had some good drinks and food. Met some wonderful new people and decided to people watch. The local young crowd (yes I still fall into that category) was quite interesting that evening and it seemed like the entire valley was out celebrating the holiday with their friends, before the split to spend with families. We walked into our local TGI Friday's and walked right back out. Standing room only! There was no way I was dealing with that mess! Once we made it to our final stop of the night we all got to talking about what Thanksgiving is to our families. Mr. P said that he and his family always go to a local electric go cart place and race before the big meal. He invited us to tag along for this little adventure.

When we pulled into the parking lot I was amped! I wanted to kick the hubbs' butt. However after watching this ridiculous safety video I got all paranoid that they were gonna kick me off the track for aggressive driving, so I held back both races and fell into last place. The hubbs ended up in second the last race and was super excited about it. We said our goodbye's and made plans for next year. Mr. P's family was super nice and inviting! Although, I think my super conservative driving might have been annoying! Hehe. 

Afterwards, we left to drive to Simi for our first family Thanksgiving in 4 years. It was a strange feeling to me. I mean I am used to my giant family and having everyone around, but to have it on Thanksgiving was surreal. I kept myself busy by helping cook, and just hanging out in the kitchen while the hubs talked cars and football with my cousins and uncles. Once dinner was ready we all stood in a circle and said what we were grateful for that year. This was where my emotions stood out and the tears could not be left at bay (three glasses of wine didn't help that either.) We said grace and then stuffed our faces. Turkey, mashed potato's, salad, pie you name it....I indulged! Afterwards all the men retreated to the living room while the ladies did dishes. I did get a peek inside, and saw all of them on the couch about to pass out. It truly was a sight and I asked my dad Jon who was going to be the big spoon? We said our goodbyes and made our way to my in-laws for a bit as well.

Then came dreaded Black Friday. I tossed around the idea of heading out into the sales, but my senses kicked back in and I stayed home and cleaned until it was time to go over to our good friends for a second Turkey Day. It was a wonderful time spent with good friends, minus a little venting mishap. We ate and ate until we were sore! Told great stories and laughed. All in all it was a wonderful Thanksgiving spent with all the ones I love, and it made it that much easier to take.

Hope yours was as eventful as mine was and you got to spend it with those you love. I only have a couple of photos because we didn't have our camera! Gasp!

Havasu Part Two (Hehe that rhymes!)

Ok...ok. I will finally finish talking about our trip to Lake Havasu. The first part I actually wrote while on vacation from my handy dandy crackberry, but alas the mobile upload did not work so I just copied it and pasted into Blogger. The rest of our trip wasn't too exciting. We ate a lot of food, at many different restaurants, The Turtle where we shared one of those eff you up drinks that you can keep the cup, and shopped in many stores. The hubbs and I both got new sunglasses for 50% off! Yay to Beachcomers! If you ever got to Havasu go to this store! They rock! Now me being not a sun glass snob, this was essentially my first pair of designer sunglasses. I have a pair of Guess, but $50 was as most I have spent ever before on sunglasses. I got the Spy Sidney's in polarized. I also had never had polarized sunglasses before either, so it was a new experience being able to....ahem....see without a glare! :-)

Yay! I joined the elite club!

The hubbs, his cousin and I went for an offroading experience as well. We drove around in the desert, got filthy with dust and shot some weaponry too. Yay! We walked around and saw the London Bridge, which actually is the one that used to stand in London. Very cool and walked around shops looking at touristy items, including pasties. I mentioned that I forgot a bathing suit and Uncle S. told me "This is Havasu, all you need are underwear and pasties!" Well that was good to know, but alas I did not partake in the pasty wearing. We also braved the Arizona crowds and went to see the midnight showing of Twilight Breaking Dawn. That was one for the records! Ah sitting in a full movie theater with immature teenagers really helps put perspective on things. While we didn't do a ton of things we still enjoyed ourselves and were able to relax a bit. On the way home we passed over the Colorado River. That was cool! Anywho, please enjoy some more photos from our trip.

Happy Birthday to my Dad!

For many people the last day in November is just the beginning of the maddening Christmas rush. A mere 24 days stand between them and the paper ripping, food coma holiday. But November 30th is a special day because it's my dad's birthday.

He is special to me because of all the things that he does. He is determined and successful. He always made sure to do the right thing and to do whats best by his standards, and is always willing to be there for his family; my mom, myself, the hubbs and of course our puppy. He gives the best hugs and advice and I couldn't ask to have a more wonderful man to help raise me.

I will share a story that has been passed around the family for many years. I must have blocked this from my memory (or it got knocked out) but its still a funny story to share. When I was little, 5 or 6, my dad and I had a ritual. When it was time for bed, he would throw me over his shoulder, march me upstairs and without turning on any lights toss me into my bed. This of course was unknown to my mother and one day while we were out for the day she decided that she was going to move the furniture around in my bedroom. That evening we go to do our tradition. My mom is downstairs reading, crafting or something of that nature and she hears a crash, and a scream, and our dog Profit comes running downstairs in a panic. She goes upstairs to see what happened and my dad is panic staring at me sprawled on the floor in the corner of the room. "You moved the bed!" Needless to say my mom checked with him before moving any furniture from there on out, and we can laugh about it now. He is forever the jokester and I can remember many years of laughing and playing. Water fights, camping (bunk diving) and sitting on the floor playing gin are just some of the wonderful memories that I have. Looking forward to more!

Make sure to play a round of golf, have a nice cocktail and remember that today is about you!

I love you!

Skipping Rocks

Every year since we got married the hubbs and I take a trip for Thanksgiving. It was a trip to Florida to see my father and step mom. This year since the hubbs got promoted, he couldn't take that week off, but still needed to take vacation. So he decided that the week before (this week) that we would go visit his Uncle in Lake Havasu.

On Tuesday after I got off work we packed up in the car and drove the 4 and a half hour drive up to the lake. The next day we got up and prepared to take on the town. We hit up Cabana Palms for lunch and then walked around some shops. Afterwards we headed over to the lake and watched the boats pass, looked at the lighthouse and just relaxed. The boys skipped rocks, I attempted but alas it was an epic fail. Skipped only twice. However it brought back many memories of my favorite comedian Bill Engvall. Its very interesting to wander around this usually busy tourist town, turned ghost town in the off season. It will be a good time on the lake. Please enjoy the photos from our first day!

A little bit of comfort.

Ok, so I have always been the type that love to be comfortable. I mean as a dancer we always wear the most comfortable clothes anyways, things that you can move and shake in. So of course that would translate to my personal life to. Just ask the hubbs. The second I get home, no matter what it is I am wearing I go straight for either PJs or sweatpants (depending on the time of year). I must admit they usually aren't the cutest outfits either....most of the time mis-matched and big baggy tees are on the menu. Granted, I do have my fair share of sexy items for the hubby to look at, but as we all know those are for looking and not for comfort so they dont make an appearance all the time. After this past weekend up in Oakhurst and freezing my butt off, I decided that it was time to upgrade my sweats. All I have are old, cutoff's that have become thin and ratty.

So I decided, after borrowing a friends sweats and realizing how awesome they were, that I would take the plunge and go buy a couple pairs of Hollister mens sweats, one for me and one for the hubbs (although both will eventually be mine.) As I walked into the store and over to the men's side I realized that all sweats were on sale 50% off! SCORE! Considering normal price for these are 50 bucks a pop my mind had been made up. Now to pick the colors.....they would have to be semi-gender neutral cause the hubbs would want to wear them too, so when the sales associate came up to me I felt slightly self-conscious. She made me feel better by stating "I think every girl that works here has bought a pair of men's sweats because they are the best for lounging in!" Um duh! But I am glad that I wasn't alone in my thinking. With my colors selected up to the cash register I went. Once they were all mine, I went home and waited for the hubbs to come home and claim his color. We then each snuggled into our respective pairs and lounged on the couch. So roomy, soft and warm. I am in love! Can't wait to get home and jump into them again! YAY!

Buy me! I rock! (Hollister Classic Straight)