Christmas in California (Finale)

It's about time I wrapped up the Christmas posts.  We had a wonderful time in California.  As always, it's hard to leave our family and the warm weather.  Dadda and Piper ended up catching colds, which seemed to be circulating through the entire family.  But after the sickies were gone, we met Uncle Eddie and Auntie Shawna at the park, so that we could hang out with the newest addition to the Howard clan: Baby Caleb.  We also made lunch stops to In-n-Out, three times, and celebrated McKinley's birthday a little early.

The Howard Clan.  Nice trench Dumpa!

Auntie Natalie took this picture of the four of us.

Climbing the play structure at 'Toddler Town.'

Dadda, McKinley & Piper pose with Uncle Eddie, Auntie Shawna, and a sleeping Baby Caleb.

McKinley loves the french fries at In-n-Out!

Drink break.

Caleb Michael Listander enjoys his tummy time.

McKinley receives a brand new Sheepie from Ahmma and Dumpa for her birthday.  Pure joy!

New sheep is actually a puppet, and she kept requesting for it to bite her face.

Christmas in California (Part 2)

While we were in California, we got to spend a considerable amount of time with my brother and his brood.  During one of our trips to Coronado, Ryan took us on base to tour his helicopter squadron. It was totally cool to see the helos he flies.  It wasn't so long ago (actually it seems like a million years ago!) that I had to memorize his helicopter's mission, armament, and special features like FLIR, in order to pass my SWO board.  It's hard to believe my brother has served in the Navy for ten years now, and that it's been seven years since I left active duty.  We also got to see our new niece for the second time.  Ellis has sure grown since the last time we held her at six days old!  However, the surprise of the century was when Ryan requested the gps coordinates to Benji's parent's house, so that he could fly over the following morning.  Coolest thing ever!

Uncle Ryan leads Piper away from the alley.

The Campoamor Cousins: McKinley(3), Ellis(4 mos.), Piper(14 mos.) & Leyton(2).

Auntie Shannon and Uncle Ryan and the girls in front of their home.

Waiting for Uncle Ryan to fly by.

Here he comes!

Birthday Girl

We had planned many surprises for McKinley's birthday. The big one: Dadda took the day off! When she awoke, she was greeted by lots of balloons surrounding the dining room table and a homemade chocolate cupcake with a candle.  We enjoyed pancakes for breakfast while she skyped with Gramma & Grampa C.  After breakfast she got to watch Mickey Mouse clubhouse and Doc McStuffins.  For lunch we surprised her with an outing to McDonalds, and when it was nap time, we allowed her to skip it so that she could play with her PlayDough.  We invited the Lutus for dinner and dessert, so all day she couldn't stop talking about how Lincoln and Jaydin were coming over.  After Sandwich Express for dinner, we ate neon-pink cake and she opened her presents.  Such a fun day!

1st birthday.

2nd birthday.

Good morning birthday girl!

Heart-shaped pumpkin pancakes for breakfast.

A pink party, as requested by McKinley.

McKinley and Piper have fun building block towers.

Dadda lets the birthday girl do the 'Hot Dog Dance' on the ottoman, just like Minnie Mouse.

A surprise birthday lunch at McDonalds.

Piper enjoyed watching McKinley and Dadda climb on the play structure.

Quick photo shoot.

Such concentration!

 

Thank you family & friends for my groovy, new birthday toys!

Three

Happy 3rd Birthday to my firstborn.

More of her special day to follow.

The Three Musketeers

While we were in California, McKinley and her two female cousins, Lizzie & Abby, were inseparable. Especially when we all had dinner over at Great Grandma Howard's house and spent one morning at Balboa Park.

The girls and I took a walk through "the jungle." That's what they called Great Grandma Howard's back yard.

Leaping like frogs!

McKinley's dance solo.

Four generations.

Lizzie and McKinners take a rest break at Balboa Park.

The cousins stop for a group shot in front of the Dr. Suess Christmas tree.

 

Piper is all smiles at the park.