Romer Christmas Eve

We have a tradition at our house where we get to open our stocking stuffers on Christmas Eve.

It was fun to watch Dannika go through her stocking.

She really had no idea what was going on, but it was fun to watch her either way. 

She got all kinds of Dora the Explorer bath toys (her favorite cartoon), and some crayola bathtime water color changer tablets. 

I got Nick what I always get him....boxers, candy, and this year a handy fishing all in one tool.

And Nick got me some work out dvds, candy, and hair stuff!!

This year was no different except for the fact that I absolutely could not wait to give Nick and Dannika one of their Christmas gifts early.

I ended up letting Nick have the xbox fishing game that I bought him early and we let Dannika have her Flintstone car early as well.

They both seemed to enjoy it so I was happy!

I'm so excited for tomorrow morning when Dannika gets to open all her gifts under the tree!

Tis' the Season

I absolutely LOVE the Christmas season.

I love the trees, the decorations, shopping, and of course the reason for the season...the birth of Jesus!

I can't believe that it is already December, and it's hard to believe that this is Dannika's SECOND Christmas!

I am so blessed to have had Nick home for the last two holiday seasons.

I know being a Marine and a Marine wife that there are lots of families out there with loved ones deployed.

Nick is kicking butt at the Staff Academy...academically and physically.

I'm so proud of him!

He graduates in two weeks, and we are both looking forward to it. 

We attended our first Christmas party of the season at the Roegge's house.

Lindsay hosted an "Ugly Sweater" Christmas party.

I wish I would have taken some pictures of the fabulous sweaters everyone was wearing!

We had a blast...had lots of great appetizers and of course too much wine.

So fun!

Another big event...

Nick sold his truck....the Chevy...his dream truck.

All he ever wanted was a big lifted Chevy with big ole tires and loud pipes.

It gave him a happy 4 years.

We decided a few months ago that we needed something more practical...

We needed more room for Dannika in the back seat and we needed something better on gas.

It was a big sacrifice for Nick, but we ended up with something better!

A 4 door Toyota Tundra!

Dannika practically picked it out.

It's a perfect truck for our little family of three.

"No!" and Dance Parties

Black Friday & Traditions

I've never been a "Black Friday" kinda gal.

In fact, I dread crowds, and I love my sleep.

I'm the type of person that would much rather pay full price for something than endure that hell!

In fact...I hardly ever wait for things to go on sale.

I'm so impatient...I usually find myself paying full price for things I probably shouldn't.

But THIS year...

Nick and I decided to see what this whole fuss was about.

I really wanted to get Nick a skilsaw and some other power tools for Christmas, and if you've seen the price of a power tool these days...it's pretty insane!

We woke up at 5am (which for Black Friday is pretty late, I guess) and headed to Lowe's.

When we got there, I was pleasantly surprised with the lack of crowds...in fact...there were NO crowds.

It took me by surprise cause Lowe's had some GREAT deals on bbq's, power tools, wine refrigerators, Christmas stuff, etc.

I was a little disappointed that I didn't see grown men fighting over a table saw that was marked 60% off.

Since it was so early, we didn't even feed Dannika her breakfast. 

We got her sippy cup filled with milk and headed out the door.

She was hungry by the time we were done at Lowe's so we treated her to pancakes at IHop. 

The next stop was Michael's.

I just went there cause I like it there.

I had nothing in particular I needed from there, but we did end up buying our yearly Christmas ornaments there (which I shall get into later).

Lastly...

Wal Mart.

I guess Wal Mart was supposed to be the craziest...

Again, I was disappointed that I didn't see grown people fighting over the 30 dollar crockpot.

It was a little busier in the electronics section, but nothing TOO bad.

I suppose Black Friday is different depending on where you live.

San Clemente is an extremely lazy, cozy little beach town.

I'm sure more people were up at 4am with surfboard in hand to hit the waves than hit a sale.

The day after Thanksgiving has become a tradition for Nick and I to put up our Christmas stuff.

I was so excited to decorate our tree, put up our stockings, put my Christmas centerpiece on my dining room table, and have Nick put up Christmas lights outside :-)

It's also become a tradition for us as a family to go out and buy a new ornament to put on our tree.

It was way fun putting up our ornaments that we've acquired in our short time as husband and wife.

It's so crazy to see Dannika's "First Christmas" ornament!

It really hit me hard how fast time flies, and how I must savor and cherish every moment I get with my little girl!

the ornament Dannika picked out (the color didn't come out that great in this pic)

Dannika's ornament

Our tree

Close up of Dannika's tree in her room

I can't believe that I spent 14 dollars on a pacifier to have it personalized! Dannika only used a paci for like 4 months until I took her off of it. Now it's a Christmas ornament!

My handsome guy

Dannika's first pair of Cowboy boots

My mother in law sent us these last year. It's so fitting this year cause it reminds me of Nick and his Plt Cmdr, Lt. Boera.

Putting the star on!

Dannika being mischievous

She wanted to help her daddy

This is what I get to see when I go to get her from her nap...check out that faux hawk!

Our First Christmas as a family of 3 (last year!)

Romer Thanksgiving 2010

It's been a while since I've cooked an entire Thanksgiving meal.

We invited our friend Ryan (AKA Uncle Sully) over to our house for Thanksgiving dinner.

I decided to make everything from scratch minus the pie and cranberry sauce. 

Everything turned out great, and most importantly...

I got to spend it with people I love!

Thanksgiving Morning

Nick washing "Henry"...our turkey

Hanging out and eating apples

I love these two

Beginning the cooking

Action shot...looks rather dangerous with the sharp objects in my hand

turkey stuffed with apples and covered with bacon

the fam

Nick made Dannika this little "poncho" to keep her clean...it worked...sorta

Everything cooked by ME!

Dannika and her Uncle Sully

This is what happens when you put tupperware on a hot stove...oopsie

Post Thanksgiving festivities...Call of Duty....

Laughter Makes the World Go Round

 

Dannika thinks EVERYTHING is a phone...including socks...

Nick always smells the clean laundry while he folds it. 

Dannika grabbed some socks from the clean laundry pile and brought it into the living room sniffing it.

This is a Korean "Podaegi".

It's a sling type thing that Korean grandmas use to hold children on their back.

My mom bought me one when she went to Korea.

Nick decided to give it a try...

As you can see...Dannika LOVES it!

Thankfulness

I am thankful for a husband who puts up with me.

  He is understanding of me when no one else is.

I am thankful for a beautiful baby girl.

She brings more laughter and joy into my life than I could have imagined.

I am thankful for having a job.

I am thankful for the opportunity to serve with the World's Finest...

United States Marine Corps.

I am thankful for those same Marines that sacrifice so much so that we can be free.

I am thankful for those who have given their lives.

I am thankful for those who are not getting to spend Thanksgiving with their families because of their call to duty.

and most importantly...

I am thankful for God.

I am thankful that even when I stray from him (which is a lot),

He is always there when I need him.

I am thankful...

Mama's Good Looks...

 and more laughs than a stack of comic books...

Watching Nick Jr. after breakfast in Saturday morning

concentrating

Being mischievous

"I hope I don't get caught..."

"oops!"