Where's my Christmas spirit?

I love Christmas.  I love the music.  So much so that I start listening to it on November 1st.  I love to shop.  So, of course I love shopping for Christmas gifts.  I love giving gifts and keeping the suspense and surprise alive.  But, this year, I am not feeling it.  Which is sad because I want Leah to love Christmas as much as I do.  Not to say that I am not trying.  We have put up or decorations.  I have shopped till I dropped.  I have donated my gifts to charity.  Leah and I are listening to lost of Christmas Carols.  To the point where she actually says no to the ones she doesn't like. We have read stories about The First Christmas.  I don't know why I am not feeling it this year.

Alright readers.   I am looking for get me into the Christmas spirit ideas!  Bring em on!

Separate Couches of Love

For all of you who know Dave and I you know that we are not publicly affectionate people.  We also love that all of our friends know this and rarely show displays of public affection in our presence.  That our you are all just the same as us.  The best part about this is, we are not really affectionate when you leave either.  As I type, Dave and I are on separate couches.  We are people who like are own space.  I love that this summer Breanna thought it was awesome or really weird that we have our own designated couches or chairs.  The best part is Leah also has her own couch. She loves her own couch and chooses to watch TV from it rather than cuddle with mom or dad.  Don't get me wrong we like to cuddle with Leah, but I have noticed that we have a fiercely independent child.  Which, we of course, love about her.  But, I think that part of this Independence stems from the environment that we have provided for her over the last 20 months.  I think that I just love that this early in life Leah has discovered that everyone has there own couch.  Which makes me wonder, what are we going to do when the time comes to have another child?  Our family/living room is not big enough for three couches!

Dave and Leah on his couch

Leah on her couch.

There are no pictures of me on my chair as I am always the one taking the photo's.

Careful what you say

Dave and I were having the conversation about things you never thought you would say. Example: Leah was eating raisins for dessert after lunch. She wanted to leave the table and Dave promptly said " Leah eat all of your dessert first.". I looked at him and said "bet you didn't think you would be saying that.". As Dave starts to take Leah out off her seat he looks at me says "ya that and go watch tv.". Leah looks right at Dave and says "okay daddy" and runs into the living room. Poor Dave got suckered into watching Elmo because, well, he old her to go watch tv.

Our California Adventure to the Kosmynka's

This past weekend we went to sunny California.  It was beautiful.  Beautiful weather, flowers, trees and friends.
Our first visit was to Santa Monica pier.  It really is an awesome spot on the ocean.

Then we went into Santa Monica to get Trystan from work.  The girls loved the Dinosaur shaped water fountains and just running down the open sidewalk chasing pigeons.

The next day we decided to go to Venice Beach.  The beach was beautiful.  Leah was afraid of the ocean.  Even when we carried her into the water she was still crying.  I guess it is still to big and scary for her.  Venice was a little interesting.  Especially when you see some one get a bike thrown at there head.

Leah did love her huge ice cream though!

On Sunday we went to Disneyland.  It really is an awesome place.  I have to say, Disney goes out of there way to ensure that your visit is perfect.