Bridgets First Christmas

...was in a car.
But besides that it all was great!
Pete, Julie and Dustin flew into St. Louis on the 23rd and hung out at our house till Christmas morning. We of course had to go to the famous Mills Mall where we played glow in the dark mini golf, and Josh & Dustin did this trampoline thing. It was pretty fun to watch them do it, although they both felt sick and had headaches afterwards.


Christmas morning we left at 7:20 and arrived in Fort Walton Beach, FL at 9:20 p.m.
It was long, but Bridget did great! I think the hardest part was that being Christmas, NOTHING was open! So when we stopped for lunch, the only thing open was IHOP. It took 20 minutes to get seated and even longer to get our food!
This was my first time to Florida and it was so beautiful! We stayed in a nice condo right on the beach. We got to wake up in the morning and look right out the balcony window to the ocean! It was great to look out the window, but as soon as you stepped out the door it was COLD and WINDY!! Monday was the best day because it was nice and sunny, that made it a little warmer so we took advantage of it and went for a walk on the beach!
Our family (it was so bright!)

Bridget and I

The reason for going to Florida was for Joshs cousins wedding. It was fun to see his Aunt and cousins that we hadn't seen in 3 years, when we got married.
They got married on the beach and I'm pretty sure everyone was freezing!

The reception was fun and filled with lots of dancing!


Sleeping on the way home

Stretching before having to get back in the car seat!

It was great to be with family during the Holiday, and we will miss them lots!

California trip

In November Bridget and I flew to California to visit all our family! She did really well for her first flight and everyone around us ooooed and awwwed over her. She was the talk of the plane. I really wanted to take pictures and document her first airplane ride, but my hands were kinda full. We had a week full of visiting family, long walks in the park and catching up with friends. When Josh came a week later, we had lots of fun hanging out with family and enjoying the Thanksgiving holiday. We took traditional Pilgrim & Indian pictures and family pictures too. I loved finally having my own little family for portraits. I think they turned out great!




Also while we were there we got to visit my Grandma almost everyday. We took advantage of our time with her and decided to take a 4 generation picture. (Thanks Amber!) My grandma, my mom, me and Bridget. My Grandma has muscular distrophy and as it has gotten worse and worse she had to move into an assisted living home because she can no longer walk, and barely use her hands or hold up her head. It was really hard to see her like that but I'm so glad that she got to meet Bridget. She just lit up everytime we came and she held Bridget in her lap.

Also while we were there we got some new dresses for church! (Thanks Grandma Atkin!)

It was great being with family and being back in California but it's good to be home!