Beware: Lots of pictures ahead :)
Part 3 of our travels were in....California!!! I was so excited to go home! I realized that it had been a year since I had been in Camarillo. I don't know what it was about this trip- ok, actually its probably because I think Texas is an overall pretty flat and ugly state- but I couldn't get over how beautiful Camarillo was! I have told Michael that wherever we settle has to be in a pretty place :)
Anyway, California was great and we were able to do lots of fun things. December 18-22 were in Camarillo. Then the 23rd-28th were in Folsom with Michael's family. But then it was back to Camarillo for a whole week until we flew home on the 4th.
Some of the fun things we did while we were there:
Camarillo Part 1:
I chopped off my hair!
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| Before- it had gotten so long! Forgot to take an "after" one, but you'll see it in the rest of the pictures |
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| All that she cut off. It was A LOT! |
My high school friends threw a little party celebrating Collin! It was such a fun, unexpected surprise and was so good to see some friends that I hadn't seen in a long time.
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| Kat, Chloe, Me and Collin |
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| Chloe and Collin |
Had some fun time just hanging out with Boppi and Owie!
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| Mom and her babies...Miso the cat wanted to snuggle right up there with Mom, Dad and Collin |
A night with Spencer, Anie and the kids.
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| Meeting Uncle Spencer |
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| The girls LOVE Uncle Michael...here's Elle and Michael watching a Christmas movie |
Family Pictures by Anie, in their backyard
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| The perfect picture...if only Collin was happy. Perhaps I will try my hand at photoshop. |
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| Love this one! |
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| My handsome boys |
Gemini Street to see the Christmas lights
Random fun things:
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| Anie and Collin |
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| Watching Owie's train go around the tree |
Folsom:
Of course Collin's FIRST Christmas!
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| Christmas Eve! Thanks Boppi and Owie for the Christmas Jammies! |
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| His present from Santa! Can't wait to share this Christmas favorite from my childhood! |
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| Our gift to Collin- "Bruno" the Monkey, in honor of Collin's "womb" name |
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| Opening Collin's present to his Daddy. A picture for his office. |
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| Matching with my baby boy! |
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| Family picture by the tree |
Christmas Day walk
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| The family |
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| It was a beautiful evening for a walk! |
Drive by the Folsom Dam
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| We came. We saw. And we left. (it really wasn't too exciting) |
Making Christmas Cupcakes
Meeting Grandma, Grandpa, Aunts, Uncles, and cousin
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| Collin and Emerson- Emerson is 3 weeks older...but VERY small for his age |
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| Collin and Uncle Ben...Collin's eyes make me laugh! |
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| Collin mesmerized by Grandma Coon |
Camarillo Part 2:
Corinne, Morgan and Bailey surprised us in Camarillo!! I just have to document this story. First of all I had NO idea. They did a good job keeping the secret...and turns out quite a few people knew. That day Michael and I were driving home from Folsom. Long story, but the drive took a lot longer than planned. Corinne and I had been texting for a while. I thought she was still in Utah with Morgan's family. Really they were sitting at home anxiously waiting for us to get home (Mom and Dad were in LA...but knew they were there). We finally get home, the house is all dark. I walk in first, and was really excited about a bag of perfectly ripe avocados that were on the porch, and totally walk past them sitting in the dark living room. I walked back to the entry, turned on the light, and it wasn't Michael came in that he noticed them sitting in the living room. I am very impressed that Bailey stayed so quiet. Totally startled me, and makes me think twice about walking into a dark house, but totally worth it. It was fun to see them again so soon!
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| Aunt Rinny and Collin |
A beautiful afternoon for enjoying In N Out (actually mine and Collin's 3rd time this trip!)
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| Take note of who is walking in the background...Owie and Bailey! |
Collin's Blessing Day
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| Our little eternal family! |
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| With the Grandma and Grandpa Coon and Boppi and Owie |
Collin's first beach trip
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| We love the beach! |
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| Collin looking cool in his shades. He actually loved them, and didn't like it when we took them off. |
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| Boppi and Collin |
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| Love his sweet smile in this picture |
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| Getting his toes sandy with Daddy! |
Celebrating our 3rd Anniversary/First date without Collin
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| Heading out...baby free! |
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| We went to Erik Erikson's on the Ventura Pier. I tried Swordfish. It was very yummy! |
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| Michael loved his steam pot |
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| We were both still a little hungry so we picked up a dozen donuts for dessert...and we were kind enough to share with our babysitters :) |
Lunch with Chloe
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| It's always so fun to catch up with Chloe! |
New Year's Eve Japanese Dinner
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| Perhaps the best meal we had the whole trip! |
New Year's Day Hike
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| CA is beautiful!! |
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| Michael acting like we went on a super tough hike |
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| Love how we are all in our own little family group, and of course the beautiful ocean in the background! |
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| Our group! |
Random fun:
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| Michael trying to hook Collin's nose with the Barrel o' Monkeys...Collin actually thought it was funny! |
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Collin and Truly.
I was a little nervous that Truly wouldn't make it for them to meet, but she is still hanging in there! |
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At the airport to leave.
It's amazing how much more luggage we have traveling with a baby AND at Christmas. And note to self, don't fly the Saturday after New Year's! The line to check our bags was outside and longer than the entire length of the building. Thank goodness it was a gorgeous day. And Collin was content in his car seat the entire time- what a blessing and relief! |
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| My sleeping boys on the plane. |
It was an exhausting, but wonderful trip. I am so grateful we had the means to travel and that we were able to create so many wonderful memories with our families and friends! I definitely felt a bit homesick after we got back to Texas!
