Little Coasters

For the last year I have been volunteering in the 10-17 month room in the church nursery during the Saturday night service. I have had such a good time playing with the kids & getting to know the other volunteers. This weekend was my last weekend (since that whole baby thing is just around the corner) & it was sad to say goodbye. Bennett has loved the chance to play with toys other than his own! He'll just have to settle for once a week on Sundays.

Other fun stuff we did during vacation

We had a great 2 weeks of family fun!

We played in the yard

Played inside

Luke bought a table saw from a friend who is moving & is loving it! He used our old coffee table to make a bed rail for Bennett's "big boy" bed.

Bennett loves helping Daddy in the garage

So we made the move to a big boy bed. We figured we would give it a try well before baby came so we could make a smooth transition. After sneaking out of bed to play with toys the first night, he has done wonderfully! He doesn't get out unless he asks us first & he has completely bought into the whole "big boy" idea. Hope it sticks!

He looks so little in the big twin bed!

Showered baby Palmquist (and Marisa) with love

Here are some of our growth group girls. Yes, 3 of us are pregnant & due within 2 weeks of each other. And yes, for some reason, I look MUCH bigger than they do!

While the girls went to the shower, the boys took the kiddos to the Wild Animal Park. Poor Luke had to work, so Uncle Jordy braved 2 toddlers together.
Bennett & Jolie had a great time!

Tyler, Canon, Jolie, Bennett, & Kieran

Hanging out & eating pizza with Bennett's friend, Blake.

Sea World gave out free Fun Passes to educators this year, so Bennett & I have had the opportunity to go many times. We went one last time before our passes expired. For the holidays they had a Snow World & Bennett loved throwing the snow (although one of the only rules was to NOT throw snow). Oh well...how can you not?!?

For Christmas we got an attic ladder & Luke was eager to install it. He got right to work! He set up 2x4's & plywood neatly cut & nailed down in our attic and framed & painted the opening. It looks great & it has now given us so much more storage! Love it!
Thanks Grandpa & Grandma!

Ahh...but the fun must end. Back to work for me!

Horsies

Cousin MeKenna has been taking care of horses for a few years & just got her own! We went up to San Juan Capistrano to go visit & meet her new horse.

Bennett was quite thrilled since he likes horses right now. He knows where each horse property is located when we drive our road into town, & he starts making horsie noises with a big smile plastered on his face. It was a fun experience for him to be able to see some first hand!

We went to lunch at Ruby's afterwards & watched the train go by the train station.
Quite a fun filled day!

Feeding the horse...yum!

Meeting face to face

Bennett was fascinated by the cows

Pappy took Bennett & Jolie for a ride

Strolling through the stables

Thinking about the possibilities...

Bennett had a chance to ride Rocky. So fun!

Jordy, Jolie, & Darcy

Pappy & B

Fam pic

Watching the riders

Ahh! What a great day!

New Year's Weekend with the Izu family

We brought in the new year with a trip to Santa Barbara.

We drove up to Thousand Oaks on Friday night & spent the night at my parents' house. Bennett stayed with Grandma on Saturday while we had a date day & night away. We went to a movie, went out to lunch, and drove up to my brother's new house in Santa Barbara.

Chris & Jill's adorable house

the front yard

My cousins came up to Santa Barbara too.

Colin & Sara dropped off little Conner at my parents' house with my Auntie Joni, Uncle Bart, & Grandma Izu. Lara, Sara, & Colin drove up & we had a fun New Year's Eve with the cousins. Delicious BBQ, relaxing evening without the kids, late night watching the ball drop, and sleeping in the next day!


Yum!

Colin & Luke trying to make it until midnight!

After a lazy morning & a stop for coffee & muffins, we drove back down to Thousand Oaks to hang out with the fam.

It was such a relaxing day full of...

reading

sleeping

snacking

watching football

playing with toys

playing games

and opening presents!

We left Sunday night to drive home. Poor Bennett was pooped! He had such a fun weekend with all his family...what a trooper!

Are you sure it is over?

December always flies by and, for some reason, that surprises me each year. You would think that I would get used to it!

This year was no different & I have to apologize for no blog posts.
It is sad to say goodbye to December, Christmas, and 2011 for that matter.
But...we are excited for everything 2012 holds & pray that all of you are doing well.

Happy New Year!

Here is a recap of the last month in the Szabo household.
Hope you have a little time on your hands...