Reagan Library

"Reagan wants me?"
So the Reagan Library is in my home town, and we decided to go visit with Heidi and Matt.
Some great photo-ops were had.

Practicing our speeches

 

Matt and Reagan talking...

...and Heidi and Reagan fist bumping.

Jaden and Sophia

Air Force One

Sophia running the tunnels at
'Checkpoint Charlie'

Beautiful Sunset
(I love it here)

Berlin Wall

 

Lovin' the Desert

After Christmas we got to go visit Rick's family in the desert, and had a blast.

We especially loved how warm it was!!!
Sophia was so excited to be able to go swimming.

We went to the Living Desert (a zoo for desert animals basically) and had a blast.

In a birds nest

Groomin' the goats

 

Rocking the drums with daddy and Grandma

And RIDING A CAMEL!

Check that off the bucket list.

Booyah!

Love the sun and the company

 

Christmas time

Christmas Eve- opening presents.
I think Sophia was confused/overwhelmed.

The main thing she wanted to do was throw away the wrapping paper in the trash.

Once she got past the wrapping paper (or we took it away)
She enjoyed her presents.

Passed out with dolly

The Nativity re-enactment.
As you can tell by our costumes- we're more interested in the essence of the story.

Sophia and Uncle Matt

With Aunt Heidi

More Gangum Style
(I can't even tell you how many times this broke out in the house this week. Our family has a problem.)

The siblings.
The pretty sisters, and our handsome brother.

Jaci & Matt's Wedding

We got to go to Rick's sister, Jaci's, wedding while in California. 

What a beautiful bride and couple. 

Sophia with Oma and Opa

 

 

All the Smith cousins
(Sophia the lone girl)

 

 

With Grandma and Grandpa

Sophia loved the pretty bride

 

Rick and his new brother :)

 

And the night wrapped up with Gangum Style- perfect.

California at the End of the World

We got to spend Christmas time in California with our family, and had so much fun.
We had to spend Sophia's actual birthday flying, but all her cute cousins made it special for her still.

 

 

 

Loved playing in the sunny park.

Rick too.

 

As most of you know - the world was supposed to end on December 21st.
In celebration we decided to have a End of the World Party Day!
We asked the kids what they'd want to do if it was their last day on earth.
Here's what we came up with.

First we surprised them in the morning with 'mini-pinatas'
 (aka balloons with confetti and candy in them)

Next- donuts for breakfast (yum)

Then lunch at the beach
(we chose Sushi)

 

Is it ironic/cruel?

 

 

Sophia getting a better view

 

 

So sunny...

 

 

Next stop- the Santa Barbara Zoo!
The first time Sophia's seen real live elephants. She was soooo excited.

 

Running. The. Whole. Time.

I get the bird!

I love this zoo- it's so beautiful.

Watching the gorilla

Our family tree.
I knew Sophia was a monkey.

 

When she wasn't running- she wanted to fly.

 

Sliding down the grass hills

 

And, if it was my last day on earth- I'd want to have In-n-Out!

 

And the last part of the day- the kids wanted tattoos.
But, since they don't like needles (or because they're all under the age of 8) temporary tattoos it was!

All in all- I wouldn't have ended the world any other way!