Just a few more highlights from the trip

This fountain was at our hotel in San Diego-- and Dana is such a ham.

Dana and Gillian on Christmas day.

Daddy and Dana on the Autopia ride at Disneyland.

The San Diego Zoo-- December 27, 2010

In the petting zoo.

Dana tried the Joey Jumpers... she loved it! She tried to flip, but couldn't quite make it all the way over.

With a polar bear pal.

Sea World-- December 26, 2010

Sitting outside at Coffee Bean in December is heavenly!

Trying to touch a dolphin.

Don't you love this expression?

Attacking the ropes course with Daddy.

Merry Christmas Part Two-- December 25, 2010

Half of the family, gathered around for "Dirty Santa". It was too funny!

Gramps, with his awesome Old Geezer slippers, which Sarah (Matt's fiance) promptly stole. The Dirty Santa got quite dirty with all the stealing and dealing.

Merry Christmas! December 25, 2010

Santa brought Dana the Littlest Pet Shop dancing dog that she wanted!

Here is Bella, enjoying the toy we gave her-- it didn't last long, but she loved it!

Barbie and the Fashion Fairytale-- Get your sparkle on!

Chase, with his AL Champions Texas Rangers shirt.

Playing with all her new stuff!

Happy Birthday Cousin Gillie! December 24, 2010

Cousin Leah decided to have Baby Gillian's first birthday party at one of our favorite childhood parks in San Diego. We drove down with Uncle John to join in the festivities. This is Dana at the "circle park" as we have nicknamed it back in 2006 when she was about 22 months old.

And here she is at 6!

Gillie borrowed Dana's shades.

Disneyland-- December 23, 2010

It's a Small World, all decked out for Christmas... the inside was Christmasy too... so cool!

In all our trips to Disney, Dana has always been disappointed that there were Princesses but no Tinkerbell. We just had to visit Pixie Hollow this time. We stood in line for over an hour, and Dana nearly had an accident, but she finally got to meet Tink!

Dana was really tired, so we took her back to John and Jo's, and Chase and I got a date night at Disneyland (how will any other date night compare?!?). Here is Small World, all lit up.

California Adventure-- December 22, 2010

It was just a little rainy...

On the "Tuck and Roll Bumper Cars" in A Bug's Land.

Striking a pose with some ornaments... I think I found something for next year's Christmas card!

While in line for Toy Story Midway Mania.

On the swings-- it started pouring as soon as the ride started!

California Bound! December 20, 2010

Playing on the plane-- wearing her shades so the paparazzi at LAX wouldn't recognize her!

The Nutcracker

Dana said "This is my excited face! Take a picture!"

Last year I took Dana to see The Nutcracker and we had so much fun that we decided to make it a tradition. She was so in awe, especially during the Dance of the Sugar Plum fairies... she was humming along to the music (and was really excited that she recognized it).

SNOW!

We got an early Christmas present and two extra days for our break on Thursday and Friday... it wasn't a ton of snow, but as you can see by the picture of "our" lake, it was COLD and icy! Dana was suddenly camera shy, but here is the snow girl we made.

Snow Day... NOT!

We were very surprised to wake up to snow and no snow day (or delay). Needless to say, Dana and I were BOTH bummed... so we played in the snow a little before and after school.

Sledding after school.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Dana gave Chase a pre-built gingerbread house (see above for the previous house) for his birthday.

She lost interest quickly...

The finished product.