Gold Rush Days

On Labor Day weekend, we attended Gold Rush Days in Old Town Sacramento. They pour tons of dirt into the streets of Old Town and people dress in their 1840's and 1850's attire. After having taught 8 years of fourth grade and teaching about the Gold Rush, I have finally made my way to the event. Now that I don't teach fourth grade anymore, it seems kind of strange.

During the day they have gunfight reenactments and shows. We saw a cannon firing and a lot of people walking around in costumes. The day was really hot, so we didn't stay too long. I think Isabella enjoyed it. She really liked all of the "Horsies!". She even pet a horse when we first arrived. She also enjoyed the school house games. They had a frog theme and Isabella played a few frog games and mommy helped her make a "froggie" hat.

Froggie Hat

Yummy watermelon

More watermelon

Some Sasparilla

Wagon

Only hat I can get her to wear in the sun

Dancing to the street bands

Petting the horsie

Another wagon

Holiday Activities

This year for Christmas we celebrated in many ways. On Wednesday December 23rd we went to Michelle's for the Santa party. Isabella was again excited to see Santa, but when we put her on his lap, she was less than enthusiastic.

For Christmas Day we opened presents in the morning. Then Lynne and Jonathan came over and we had Christmas morning breakfast. After breakfast we got ready for Christmas dinner at Mae Mae and Papa's house. Isabella hit the ground running and never stopped. She ran around the house for about 6 hours straight. Needless to say she was out like light before we even left my dad's property.

Here are a few pics from our Holiday activities. The Santa Claus pictures are care of my sister Lynne who is an excellent photographer. I was so busy, we hardly got any pictures of the evening, so Lynne gave me a copy of what she had. They turned out great too!

Isabella seeing Santa coming in the house

Santa on Daddy's lap

Isabella on Santa's lap

Mommy on Santa's lap

Family photo with Santa

Isabella opening her gift from Santa

Grandma

Isabella giving love to her cousin

All of the kids with Santa

Santa's arrival

Mommy and Isabella

Mommy playing Santa on Christmas day

Grandma opening presents

Daddy collapsed in the toys

Daddy's new coffee mug

Isabella opening her stocking

Christmas morning breakfast

More breakfast pics

Isabella liked her Mickey Mouse pancake

MMMMM....good

All dressed up for Christmas dinner

Cutie

Erin and Lou

Family photo on Christmas night

Three sisters

Dad and his three girls

Mom and her two girls

Isabella and Taylor. He tried to get her to pay attention to him all evening and she wouldn't have anything to do with him. However, when they were about to leave she reached up for him to grab her and gave him a high five

Isabella opening her gift from Mae Mae and Papa

It's a grocery cart..Daddy loved this one!

Carter liked her cart too

Erin and I

Christmas Cheer

This Saturday we went searching for some free Christmas cheer. First, we decided to got to the Fountains in Roseville. Luigi heard that Santa was going to be there. We went there and never found Santa. However, Isabella really enjoys watching the fountain show in the middle of the court. We also had a yummy dinner at Boudin. Chilli bowls sounded good on a cold night!

Then we decided to search out a neighborhood I had heard about.When we were living in Orange County we always used to go to this neighborhood in Fountain Valley that always decorated for Christmas. They had a whole block of people who took a lot of time decorating and lighting their house. When I moved to Brea, I also found a neighborhood there that also did the same thing. So I wanted to find a neighborhood here in the Sacramento area that did the same thing. I googled it on the internet and found out about this neighborhood in Orangevale.

Isabella really enjoyed seeing all of the lights. Every time we came to a new house she would gasp and say "Whoa!!!" People around us liked to hear her saying this as we walked. It was very overcrowded, but well worth the wait. Seeing Isabella's reaction was the best part of it. She probably won't remember the experience, but I sure will.

Santa Claus and his reindeer

Sponge Bob and Patrick

Isabella and daddy all bundled up looking at the lights

The inside of someone's garage. Now that's Christmas cheer!

Santa and a snowman

Santa and his airplane

Isabella and daddy at the gingerbread house display

Gingerbread houses

Just the display

This display had a dancing Santa in it

Santa decoration

Winnie the Pooh

Lots of lights and reindeer

Cindy Lou Who

Alien grinch..he was kind of scarry

Christmas in Margaritaville

Polar bear skiing

I like this picture. She couldn't take her eyes off of the fountains

"Whoa!!!"

Daddy and Isabella

Precious moment

Mommy and Isabella