END OF 2011

J and I arrived home from Southern California this past weekend.  We had an absolutely wonderful time and were sad the trip had to come to an end.  It was such a special Christmas and New Year's Eve with my family.  One we will never forget.  We can't say enough how thankful and appreciative we are of the time we get so spend with them.  With Kyle (Navy) currently in Japan and Benjamin (Army) and Alisha leaving for Hawaii in a few months, holidays like these will be harder to come by.  The constant blue skies, sunshine, and 72 degree weather was an added bonus.  Here are photographs from our trip...

December 24, 2011 - Latvian Church for Christmas Eve

Alina, Kier, me, Zanda, Alisha

December 24, 2011 - Elephant Bar

Celebrating Grandpa's birthday (which was on the 23rd)

December 25, 2011 - Merry Christmas from Simi Valley, CA

Lots and lots of presents waiting to be opened.

December 25, 2011 - Merry Christmas from Simi Valley, CA

Grandpa wearing his new t-shirt :)

December 25, 2011 - Merry Christmas from Simi Valley, CA

Benjamin, Kyle, and J enjoying some jacuzzi time

December 25, 2011 - Merry Christmas from Simi Valley, CA

Benjamin, Kyle, and J enjoying some jacuzzi time

December 25, 2011 - Merry Christmas from Simi Valley, CA

Kier couldn't resist the water and ended up getting in shortly after this pic :)

December 26, 2011 - Santa Barbara, California

<3 Me and J <3

December 26, 2011 - Santa Barbara, California

Family photo time!

December 27, 2011 - Warner Brothers Studio Tour

December 27, 2011 - Warner Brothers Studio Tour

Merlotte's from True Blood and Rammer Jammer from Hart of Dixie

December 27, 2011 - Warner Brothers Studio Tour

Alisha and the Harry Potter car

December 27, 2011 - Warner Brothers Studio Tour

J and the Hangover car

December 27, 2011 - Warner Brothers Studio Tour

Hart of Dixie Doctors' Office

December 27, 2011 - Warner Brothers Studio Tour

Me and J on the Friends couch

December 27, 2011 - La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles

December 27, 2011 - La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles

December 27, 2011 - La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles

Zanda and Alina

December 27, 2011 - Hollywood

Kier and Me

December 29, 2011 - Disneyland

My golden birthday (29 on the 29th)!

December 30, 2011 - LAX

Saying goodbye to Kyle as he leaves for Japan.

January 3, 2012 - Ventura, California

Alina in the Pacific!

January 3, 2012 - Ventura, California

Zanda in the Pacific!

January 3, 2012 - Ventura, California

I love this photo my Mom took of Zanda & Alina at the beach