Merry Christmas & Mason's Blessing

We came back down to Arizona for the holidays. We had such a great time! It went by way too fast! I wish we had more time with our family and friends. Here are some action filled shots from the first week of our visit, Christmas and Mason's blessing.
He was not very happy with me for laying him down on the gifts, but I had to get a photo of his first Christmas morning!

Julia was so excited to open her presents. This was her first Christmas that she was able to open all her gifts all by herself. Very exciting!

Mason soon fell asleep on Grandpa, and that is where they stayed the whole time we opened gifts. (It takes our family hours because there are so many people and we open them one by one)

Julia got quite a bit of clothes and princess dresses, and she had to try each one on as she opened them.
She even got a Suns' jersey. We have to represent while we're in LA!



The kiddies in thier Suns' gear. It's just too bad the Spurs totally robbed them that night :(




Mason was blessed on Sunday, December 28th. We had the pleasure of having some of our family and friends there. And some joined us at my parents house for the afterparty.
Aunt Robin and Uncle Justin

Catherine, Zac, Ava and an upset Isabelle

Nadene and Auntie Meg

Grandma and Grandpa Larson

Our happy family!

I was so sad when I realized I didn't get photos of Nathan's or my parents with Mason. They were there, and we love them so much and are so greatful for all the support they show us!
We are also greatful for all who came to the blessing showing their support! We love you all!

Jeppesen Christmas Groove

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Sea world, Venice Beach and more Disneyland

We decided to go to Sea world on Saturday since it's only a two hour drive and we had free passes. We were all packed up and ready to go when our two and a half year old, who should be potty trained, had a horrible blowout. Poop was up to her neck and down to her ankles. SO gross. We had to strip her down in the tub and just wash her off. Once we got a new outfit on her and I rinsed out her dirty clothes, we were finally ready to go. The drive was going great, and we were making great time, but when we were about 2 miles from the park, Julia threw up all over herself. Perfect. I think it was a mixture of the huge Naked fruit drink she had and carsickness from watching movies the whole way. I've been to San Diego enough to know that there was a Target just a couple of miles up the road from Sea world, so we drove that direction so we can wash her off and get her a third outfit for the day. I spotted an Old Navy by the Target and decide to go there instead since I had Old Navy bucks. I had to buy her a new outfit and sweater, but it didn't cost me anything thanks to the bucks! Well, we finally made it to Sea world and had a fun time watching the show and looking at the animals. Mason and I checking out the seals and sea lions.
Julia liked the starfish. We felt so bad, because it wasn't until after we held the starfish out of the water for a couple of minutes that we found out you're not supposed to do that. It shocks their systems. Poor little guy.

We also went to Venice beach last week. Well, just me and the kids. Julia really liked to chase the seagulls away. Since it's off season, the beach was so clean and quiet. There were just a few surfers, a few other people, and us. It was very relaxing.
And of course we've been to Disneyland a few more times. I wanted to show everybody my sweet new baby carrier. I just got it Monday. It was my birthday present to myself (I'm now the big 2-4). Well, I guess from Nathan, but I bought it for myself. He actually makes fun of me for wearing it; says I look like a Jedi night. It is so comfortable, though, and Mason loves it! I can nurse him while he's inside so I can still use my hands! Awesome.

Speaking of Mason...Here are some new pictures of him. He is getting so big! Total opposite of Julia. According to our scale, he already weighs over twelve pounds!! He's not even six weeks until Sunday! What a moose!

California Adventure

We made it. It's a miracle. We are now in our apartment in Los Angeles. There are boxes everywhere, and we can't use our stove top or oven for over a week (because I forgot to schedule the gas guy to turn it on), but we're are here, and finally have a computer! So here's the story: I am a total procrastinator and didn't start packing until Friday, which was actually Friday afternoon because I went shopping with my mom in the morning. We were packing up and loading the trailer until after midnight, and then woke up at 5:00 am to leave for LA. Nathan and I were each driving our cars, mine with the two babies, and then Nathan's dad was pulling the trailer with his suburban. Everything was going fine until Nathan and I stopped about halfway, so I could feed Mason and get gas. This is about the time when he got a call from his dad saying the transmission on his car was shot, and the car was basically useless. Then, as if that wasn't bad enough, Nathan's battery died and I had to jump him, and then as he was pulling out of the gas station, he called to check on his dad and got a ticket for talking on his cell phone while driving. Apparently it's illegal here. The cop had to jump him again, and then Nathan was on his way. Well, since Nathan couldn't stop his car with out needed it jumped, it fell upon me to stop at a bank to get the cashier's check for the apartment. I stopped in a little city, Indio, along the way. After driving over five miles, I finally found a bank. I got my two kids out of the car, having to carry them both because Julia didn't have any shoes (apparently we packed them all), and walked into the bank. There was about 15 people in line in front of me. After waiting for about 10 minutes in line, I decide to make sure I can even get a cashiers check here. I couldn't. So, very frustrated, I left that bank to find another. I finally found one of my banks, and headed inside. Unfortunately, though, I got the dumbest teller ever! She had to re-do my check 3 times! The first time she never even asked me how much I wanted it for and just made it out for the entire amount in my account, and the second time she made it out to me from the apartment complex. Finally the third time she got it right, but only after I'd wrestled with Julia for 45 minutes in the bank. And then I still had to drive another 2 hours to LA, and since our little detour lasted longer than it should have, poor Mason was ready to eat again before then. But he had to wait, because I wasn't stopping again.
Once we got to our apartment we were able to meet up with Nathan, who was able to get his car a new battery before we got there. Nathan's dad was still over two hours away with his broken down car, and my dad was on his way up from Arizona to help out. My dad eventually got to him, but by that time, Nathan's dad had decided to just buy a new truck. So he hitched the trailer up and got to LA after midnight, and me dad headed back home. I felt so bad for both of them, but so blessed that Nathan and I have dads that would do so much for us.
Well, at least between unpacking, and getting stuff with our apartment all settled, we've been able to have some fun. We've been to Disneyland twice, and visited the beach (we are only about 5 miles away).


At the pier in Santa Monica. This place is pretty cool. There are roller coasters, food and games.