It's a WONDERFUL life!

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2012!

Christmas this yr. was really great!  We were able to celebrate with friends {who might as well be family}, enjoyed making memories with our own little fam of 4, and mostly it was just nice to have two lovely ladies and a wonderful spouse to share every moment with.  :)

Over the pre-Christmas weekend, we were able to go to 

Aunt Carrie's Farm, and meet/take pictures with Santa!

B was a little nervous, but he asked her fr a "high 5" and then 

they were best friends. :)  

I LOVE this picture!!!

Then on Christmas EVE....

we stuck with tradition, and enjoyed a delicious

Mexican food dinner made at home.  Then, we decided

to hit up a movie with the girls, and we all really liked it- the perfect holiday movie!  

Later, the girls got to open up one gift, their new PJ's and they were very happy.

We then enjoyed hot chocolate, finished wrapping presents, cuddled up by our

 lovely Christmas Tree, and just enjoyed being together!

Then, it was CHRISTMAS DAY.... hurray! 

Peyton (8 months, her 1st Christmas!) & Brightlie (3yr.)

Don't they look adorable in their new pj's?!

These girls are so good, so of course Santa filled their stockings!

{B: a Skippy Jon Jones book, and the DVD, "The Lorax".}

{P: a Skippy Jon Jones book, and a sippy cup}

Peyton loved her first Christmas.  She got

a fisher price play table that lights up and makes sounds,

and a night-time jungle mobile that lights up and 

helps her go to sleep. 

Brightlie had a blast this year because  

now she understands what present are, and was able to

un-wrap them all by herself, which made it all the more fun!

Her big toy was a Leap frog, Leap Pad!  She is so high-tech!

{The girls in their new Christmas Day outfits}

We sure do love our two girlies!

It's so fun to see the simple joys that make the Spirit of 

Christmas so real and special.  

Paul and I received some great gifts this yr.  He bought me

a gift card to get my nails done and the salon, and i got him a new game for his 

PS3.  Then, together we went to Ikea last weekend and bought ourselves a 

new bed frame & comforter!!!  The frame is black, and has a headboard/footboard, and we love it.

Over the next several months we want to completely re-do our bedroom,

in gray & white, with accents of yellow and black. It's going to be so modern and pretty!

Also, we got special surprise gifts from Darrel- brand new IPADS!!!!  

This is one of my best friends, Elisha Anderson!  

Seriously, even though she is my friend, i kinda think of her sometimes as the big

sister i never had!  I go to her for advice, support, laughs, hugs, and retail therapy

outings! And, the best part, is that we LOVE her family.  They were so nice to

think of inviting us over to spend Christmas Day/dinner with them.  And we had so much

fun, laughing, talking, eating great food, and just spending time with dear friends.

I'm not going to lie... every year since my mom passed away, there is a hole in my heart.  Christmas just isn't the same to me without her.  I wish she was here to share in these special moments.... and that i could go to her house for the holidays, and let her spread Christmas magic and traditions with my kiddos the way she did with me for 22 years.  It's so hard to not have her here.  And my sister spent Christmas at her home in Cali.  And we didn't even see Paul's family this year due to whatever reasons.  So, it kinda seemed a little bit lonely.  But, i am trying to make my own traditions, and allow my kiddos to feel the holiday magic and the Spirit of the Season  during this special time of year.

Overall, Paul and I had a fabulous Christmas, and a great time

sharing in all the holiday fun with our 2 adorable girls!  

We love each other, our life, and the holiday season!

We are so very thankful for the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ and the

true meaning of Christmas.  May we rejoice in the upcoming 

adventures that await us in 2013 and be glad in the Lord!

Ours truly is,  a WONDERFUL life!

Holiday Cheer

I love the holidays... I love snow on the ground (in my dreams & on TV), hot chocolate, Christmas trees, houses decorated with lights, poinsettias, holiday movies, presents/shopping, and yummy treats!

This past week we enjoyed lots of family time, and had

 lots of fun getting into the Christmas spirit!

We bought a live Christmas tree!

The girls enjoyed helping with the lights!

I loved that they were dressed in their matching outfits!

We are so excited to have 2 girls to share Christmas with this yr!

Brightlie and i made chocolate chip cookies- yummy!

It's so fun to have such a great little helper by my side!

Paul and B- she was so excited and proud

of herself for hanging ornaments on the tree!

Our TREE!!!

We have a special tradition that each yr.,

where ever we go on vacation, we try to get an ornament

as a momento of our travels!  I love

how personal & special this makes our tree.

Peyton

At 7.5 months she:

- Loves to smile and giggle and coo

- Is finally starting to LIKE to eat baby food

-Scoots/army crawls very quickly around the whole house

and is starting to get up on her knees.

-Wears size 9-12 months, and weighs 17 lbs.

- Holds her own bottle, and likes playing with toys

-She is finally sleeping for 8 hours at night.. hurray!

{Sisters}

Peyton and Brightlie are best friends, 

and i love listening to them play in B's room, laughing and enjoying

each other's company.  They are inseparable... i hope it stays that way :)

Everyday, all day, the two of them look for and are aware of 

the other one.  It is so fun

to have two little ladies who bring us so much JOY!

DISNEYLAND

Happy be-lated Thanksgiving!!!!  Paul and I have really enjoyed doing our own thing for the Thanksgiving Holiday the past few years, a tradition we hope to continue.  This year, we got invited by Paul's cousins (they are also our dear friends) to go with them to DL over the Thanksgiving break!  We were so excited, since we love the Greenland's, and what a fun vacation that was way overdue!  

So, we loaded up and made the drive on Wednesday.  Then, on Thurs. (Thanksgiving!)  we spent the ENTIRE day at Disneyland!  It was so much fun! We spent the hole day riding rides, eating yummy food, laughing and playing and having a blast!

 It was Peyton's 1st vacation and she did fabulous! 

She was happy in the stroller, enjoyed the rides, and was 

as cute as could be, all bundled up!

 Jenny and I!  We have so much fun together!

 Karson. Brightlie. Caden

Seriously, the 3 Mouseketeers!  They 

are best friends and cousins, and they

had a blast being at DL together!

 Paul & princess Peyton! 

 Paul and I LOVE DL!  

What great memories we have there....

We went there just before we got engaged,

with Brightlie last yr., and now with Peyton this year!  

 Pure Joy. 

Brightlie had soooo much fun!  She loved the rides,

had a blast with her cousins, and looked so cute in her

Minnie Mouse outfit!

Can't wait to come back again soon!

Friday we spent the day in San Diego with my sister Stephanie.  She was so excited to see us, and she paid for us to all go spend the afternoon at Sea World!  

 Petting the Manta ray's!

 At the Dolphin show!  It was amazing to see 

the tricks the dolphins could do!

 Paul and Brightlie feeding fish to the seals!

Brightlie and her Aunt Stephanie!  (My sis!)

Saturday we were back in Annaheim with the Greenland's, and we spent most of the day at Newport Beach, enjoying the wind, the salty water air, and playing in the sand! 

My beautiful 3 year old!

 She loved the water, and was running in and 

out of the waves!

She will forever be, "Daddy's Lil Girl"

Our family of 4!

 Me and my girlies!!!

Daddy's baby girl

Brightlie. Paul. Peyton. Kristi.

 the REIDHEAD family

Movin' on up!

Not much has happened this past week, except for one major event... drum role please-------- PAUL is official!  Yep, his company officially hired him, acknowledging him as a full time company member  including a salary and full benefits  and all the other great perks that come with being a apart of a great company.  For the past 6 months Paul has been on "contract" and so we have anxiously been awaiting this grand event.
So, to be honest, the first offer they gave him was decent/average as far as the economy goes, and although Paul was not trying to be ungrateful, he also felt like he was worth more than what they offered.  It was a tough decision... just accept the offer and be quiet?  Speak up and risk upsetting the big bosses? Would it come across as an insult or a complaint?  But what about being true to one's self?
After a lot of stress, Paul made a confident but cautious decision to go and talk to a "higher up".  (Oh, and in this context i mean as far as chain of command in the company, but prayer to the Highest was also made).  In talking with the hiring manager, Paul expressed his concerns and thoughts, and although the guy was a little taken back (and maybe even a bit incredulous), Paul acted with grace, gratitude, and professionalism.  And, guess what!?  They ended up realizing Paul's amazing potential and ended up giving him  better offer that Paul was very pleased with!  It is great to not only work for a great company, but to feel like you are recognized there for your abilities, contributions and potential.  :)

CONGRATS Paul, we love you!!!!  

What an amazing husband, daddy, and engineer you are!   

Queen Bee at 3

I can't believe that Brightlie is 3 today!!!!

Oh, where has the time gone!?  It seems like just the other day i was waiting in the hospital, middle of the night, anticipating her arrival.  After an epidural, pitocin for induction, and an 8 hr. total Labor/wait time, she arrived!  7 lbs. 3 oz., at 2:55AM.
She was and is everything I ever hoped for in my first child.  A girl, smart, funny, pretty, goofy, loving, kind, independent, and girly as can be.  We have so much in common... she may be Daddy's little girl, but she is my mini-me, in personality and looks.
Today we celebrated with a large party, including family and friends.  B wore an adorable tutu outfit, and her party theme was Pink Cupcakes.  It was a hit, and everyone had fun!

 B's favorite cousins were there!  (Jenny, with Caden & Karson!)

There was lots of yummy food, 

and of course, PINK cupcakes!!!!

 Lots of friends....

 did i mention pink cupcakes?  yum!

 Presents too!!!

 Oh mom, are you done taking pictures yet?!  

(Look at that stinkin cute outfit!  LOVE!)

 Fun, fun, and more fun!

Brightlie. Kylie. Mikayla.

 Mommy and her little princess!  

We sure do love our sweet little girl- she is getting so big so fast, i wish i

could just keep her little forever!!!!

LOVE YOU Brightlie!

  B's favorite gift by far was this adorable

little tabby kitten, given to her by her favorite Aunt

Chelsea and Uncle Danny!
She was so happy!

(Sadly, we are just not 'cat people', and with Peyton crawling

around, and our busy schedules, we decided to give him back to the sellers... :(

 Maybe in the future when B is a little older we can get a pet!)

Fairy wings & ruffly things

Oh my goodness!  Where has the time gone?  This week we celebrated Halloween with our girls, and are excited to start planning Brightlie's 3rd b-day which is almost here!
Although Halloween is NOT my favorite holiday, i actually really enjoyed it this yr!  It was so much fun to dress up the girls, especially since Brightlie was more aware of the whole, "say trick-or-treat & get candy" concept.  :)  And while she enjoyed wearing her costume, she was very scared of some of the other spooks out there (and scary decor at some of the houses).

 Brightlie was a fairy-
i got her all dolled up in this cute costume, and

she especially  loved her 'butterfly' wings.
I loved that she totally looked the part! Cute girl.

 Peytons was "Ms. Halloween" or so i called it-

she was decked in orange & black, but of course it was too 

cold to keep her in it long, and she hated the top.

Brightlie with her cousins, Karson & Caden!  

We had a blast going trick-or treating with Jenny & Clay 

and their boys.  These 3 have so much fun together!

And they got a whole lot of candy!

 Happy Halloween 2012

We sure love having 2 adorable little "pumpkins"!

(Next yr. we will totally have 

a theme though- Can't wait!)

Additional news in our home:

 Peyton has 2 teeth that popped up! (bottom center)

Brightlie got her 1st "Hello Kitty" shirt-

she loves it because it is "pink, has a cat, & is sparkly"!

I love that i found it on clearance at Macy's for $3.

I got a new hair-do!  I got my very first weave,

adding 16 in. extensions to my head!  I love my new long

hair!!!  Feeling very glamorous & Diva-ish now :)

  

And..... here is me & my sexy man!  

   We're POSITIVE that were meant for each other- and we love that we just continue to learn, grow, love and become better best friends each day!  We love that he is done w/ school (for now... he really wants to get a masters degree) It is so nice to have him come home from work and just hangout & play w/ the me & the kids! And ps. he loves his job,so he is always is a happy mood when he comes home.  We are so excited to own our own home, to be the parents of 2 sweet little ladies, and to be madly in love! And while we love the present, we can't wait to see what the future holds!   From upcoming job promotions, to holidays, to vacations, to adventures beyond!   We are in LOVE & Life is good