Cali Christmas with the Vandermydes

We spent Christmas 2011 with the Vandermyde family. The whole crew stayed with us for a few days and we had such a blast. It's always fun for the kids to get together with their cousins.  We went to Venice beach and spent two days at Disneyland before heading to St. George for Christmas day.

We always have so much fun when we get together with the Vandermyde crew. 

Thanks for making Christmas 2011 so fabulous!!

Christmas Tree Tradition

A few years ago Matt surprised me with the best Christmast experience ever. He and our friend Scott coordinated to surprise their wifeys and get tickets for a Christmas train ride to an Evergreen farm to cut down our own Christmas tree. It was so so fun. And an experience that I've wanted to make a tradition. We missed one year . . . but got to go again in 2011. 

The boys had so much fun riding the train. 

And even got to meet Santa Clause.

 The day was gorgeous and the tree farm was picture perfect. 

Here is our lovely Christmas tree!  

The boys had a blast helping Dad pick out the tree and then cut it down. 

The Fillmore & Western Railway sure knows how to host a fun Christmas tree cutting experience. 

I highly recommend this adventure.

 

Thanks for joining us Dana, Brady and AJ! 

We had so much fun with you!!

Where in the World are Matt and Whitney Vandy?!

Hmmm . . . 

We are on a beach with waters much clearer than those of California . . . 

Sipping fresh coconut juice out of . . . what else?! a fresh coconut . . . 

Or would you prefer a pineapple perhaps?!

Cruising around in a convertible . . . 

Visiting this beautiful LDS Temple . . .

Watching a riveting football game . . . 

Competing in a lively spear-throwing competition . . . 

Hanging out with the Vandy clan, just strumming away on our Ukeleles . . . 

DID YOU NOTICE THAT THERE ARE NO KIDS?!!! 

That's right . . . Honolulu, Hawaii . . . November 2011. . . Vandy Vacay . . . Sans Kiddos!! 

Now that's how we like to party!

These are my adorable sisters-in-law (missed you Annie!!). We all get along so well . . . and usually get mistaken for sisters more so than the boys get asked if they're brothers. We always have so much fun together.

Especially when we get to snorkel the famous waters of Huanama Bay and swim around with sea turtles (Props to Kenz for spotting the elusive sea turtle!).

Or when we get to spend our time on a secluded beach, climbing gnarly trees, laying out, floating around on boogie boards, and attempting to spell Vandermyde with our silhouettes.  We thought we were being so creative . . . but I think this V is the only letter we would be willing to let anyone see. 

And of course it's always nice to spend time with my man.

Thanks to BYU for playing a game in Honolulu and giving us an excuse to visit!

And thanks to Skydive Hawaii for the highlight of the trip!!

 This is the last picture you'll see of me where my mouth is not locked in perma-scream mode . . . watch out for flying saliva!

Leaping out of a plane, free-falling through the sky, and floating peacefully over the island of Honolulu is an experience that is most definitely worthy of the perma-scream face! So so so cool!!!

I LOVE YOU HAWAII!! 

Can't wait until we meet again!