2014 Christmas Break in Paradise!

Scott & I decided to head to Paradise the day after Christmas.  We do not love the Snow , but we are trying to embrace it.  We headed to Cali for the rest of our Christmas Break to enjoy a little bit warmer tempatures.
Our first stop was Las Vegas, while we were there we visited the Las Vegas Raceway.  The boys were able to sit in all of there DREAM CARS!  We watched cars get up to speeds of 180+ it was crazy. 

The next day we drove to Newport Beach.
Newport Beach, taking in all the vitamin D we can get.

Super Kade, bit the dust on the family long jump contest!  He thought his cape would help,
he soon found out not so much.
 He had sand in every crevice possible.  

The kids were so excited to get into the water to do a little Boogie Boarding.

 

Sadie heading for the Beach

Mitch & Sadie going for a dip

Mitchell saw a huge swarm of birds in the ocean, he wanted to see how close he could get to the birds.
 He didn't do to shabby. Can you spot him?

Sadie enjoying building Sand Castles in December

Kade doing a little Baseball on the Beach!

Mitch & Kade getting ready for baseball season

Sadie was totally enthralled with playing in the
waves and collecting shells.

Some of Sadie's Shells

Scott & I enjoying the Sand between our Toes 

Beach Selfie

The kids loved trying to capture the Seagulls.  

Mitchell once again trying to see how close
he can get to the birds.

Sadie shivering from getting out of the water!

One day we took a drive down to SanDiego.  We had a wonderful time.  We went to Old Town & enjoyed some Yummy Mexican Food. Then we drove over to Coronado Beach and spent some time there on the beach.

Waiting in Old Town to eat Lunch

Kade photo bombing!

Mitch & Kade could not stay out of the Water.
They are both FISH!

Sadie enjoying the warm sand.

Kade and Mitch doing a little body boarding.

Sadie running around, trying to find the perfect shells
for her sand castles.

Mitchell freezing his yoo-hoo off.

Playing with the Gulls

Sadie's Shell Creation

Scott and Sadie working on the PERFECT sand castle 

Scott and Sadie discussing details

Just me and My Dad what a Awesome DAY we had!

Playing Catch

End results of Scott and Sadie's Sand Castle

Catch the BALL!

Football on the Beach

SO PROUD

PEACE, LOVE,  & HAPPINESS

SEA GULLS & SANDCASTLES!
Why to Seagulls Fly Over the Sea?

If they flew over the bay, they would be called BAYGULLS!

18 YEARS OF PURE MARITAL BLISS!

Enjoying the Sunset

JUMPING INTO THE SUNSET!

WELCOMING IN THE NEW YEAR at 10:00!  I was the only one that made it this late.  The rest of the party poopers hit the sack, they were all worn out from the beach.

We rented bikes, Kade and Mitch wanted to try the Tandem bike.  This lasted about 2.3 minutes.  As the pictures shows one looked left and the other right.  Not such a good combo.

We enjoyed a family bike ride down the Boardwalk.  It was beautiful and amazing. Then we rode the ferry over to Balboa to get a Yummy Balboa Bar.

Ride on the Ferry

BALBOA BAR!  YUMMINESS

Looking for the next BIG WAVE

FAMILY WIFFLE BALL GAME!

CHECK OUT THAT AIR!

We had such an amazing time together.  We love the BEACH!  We could spend everyday there and not get board.  We love the waves, we love the sand and we love the Palm Trees, we love the SUN!  It was an amazing trip filled with LOTS of YUMMY food, Lots of Laughs and many many memories.
Can't wait until we go back in 2015!

RETIRED!

After 45 years of being a Mink Rancher, my dad retired this December.  It has been a bitter sweet decision.  He and my Mom have worked so hard and have been so successful.  We are so proud of the mink business they ran and I am so grateful for the wonderful life they provided me and  my sibblings growing up.  It's hard to imagine there will be no more working on the ranch for my boys.  They have learned so much up on the ranch and loved being up on the ranch with Grandpa and Cousins. My dad has taught them a lot and they have learned the importance of hard work. Mink Ranching is hard, dirty, stinky work, but the boys we're always rewarded with a pay check at the end of each season of working.  This helped them understand the importance of saving and how hard it is to earn money.

I love my Dad and Mom and looking forward to there new Chapter in Life.  Let the fun begin!

Merry Merry Christmas 2014!

 Christmas 2014 was wonderful.  We ended up having a White Christmas, which the kids were truly excited about, me not so much.  I was enjoying the 50 degree balmy weather we were having. You don't need snow to make it seem like Christmas.  

Turn on the Christmas music, Bake/frost some sugar cookies, turn on the christmas tree lights &, BAM it feels like Christmas, 

NO SNOW required.

The kids enjoying making there Gingerbread Houses!
The flu hit our family this week,  all accept Kade,
we were all running a little low on energy!

Kade trying to add a little excitement to the gingerbread making photos!

2 Materpieces! These Boys have Talent!

Sadie then added signs to each house!
The finished product!

Mom can you see me?  Can you see me now?  

Sampson Family Christmas party!  The kids really look forward to the Sampson Family Christmas party!  It is always the week  before Christmas and they each look forward to having a fabulous time at Grandpa and Grandma's house with Yummy food, Cousins, service project for the Angel Tree, Live Nativity & last
 but not least the infamous Talent Show!

The SAMPSON LIVE NATIVITY SHOW!  

Even though Sadie was feeling down, she made sure we made time to make our Traditional Sugar Cookies!

Sadie wanted to mix, measure and stir all the ingredients for the Cookies!

Sadie has the Sampson tongue.  Cutting the cookies out!

Frosting  & Sprinkling the Cookies!

All ready for Santa to partake

Annual Christmas Eve Dinner with Grandpa & Grandma Mink

This year we went and saw the new ANNIE movie!  Sadie loved the songs.  Then we were back home to our annual Fondue Dinner.  Steak, Chicken, Cheese Fondue with Apples and Bread cubes!  Mashed Potatoes, Green Salad , Corn on the Cob and
 IBC Rootbeer to Boot.

Sadie and I Christmas Eve Selfie!

Mitch & Kade enjoying there IBC Root Beers!

Scott and I already for the festivities!

Mitchell entertaining us all with Christmas music on the guitar!

Sadie can hardly contain herself from all the excitement that an 8 year old has on Christmas Eve.  

Kade playing quirkle with  Gradma and Grandpa while we prepared for the Chocolate Fondue.

YUMMY!  Chocolate Fonde!

Grams and Gramps digging in.

Mitch & Saide already partaking of the yumminess!

Sadie was truly enjoyed her Chocolate covered Strawberries!

Christmas Eve traditional P.J'S

So excited to nestle into there beds!

STRIKE A POSE SAMPSON KIDS!

New PJ's with GRAMS & GRAMPS!

SAMPSON FAMILY PHOTO!

Cookies and milk and note already for SANTA!

TRADITIONAL SLEEPOVER with all the kiddos!

BEADOS for Sadie from Santa

Binoculars & Basketball for Kade

Fishing Gear for Mitchell

Sadie was thrilled with the new whiteboard markers
Kade bought her.

KIDS Christmas Gift from Dad & MOM!

What could it BE????

YES, you read it right,  Scott and I broke down after 12 years of begging for a dog.  Let the looking begin.

We truly had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends & we spent time reflecting on how much we have & everything we have to be GRATEFUL for, we Truly are Blessed!  2014 was an amazing year, of happiness and health.  
Hears Looking forward to a Fabulous 2015!