Lazy Beach Day

This afternoon we decided to go play in the sand for a few. It was a perfect afternoon, warm out for December and the ocean as peaceful as can be. We sure are lucky to live so close to the beach. We should never take it for granted. We live in a beautiful town where people come from all over to visit and we are lucky enough to have it at our fingertips every day of the week.

Laguna Sunsets

Here is a snapshot of our deck in Laguna. We are so lucky to live here and the sunsets we get are AMAZING.

Gingerbread House Mania, Derek's 37th B-day

This week we enjoyed some time with friends making gingerbread houses with Piper. I think the adults enjoyed this more then the kids but Piper sure loved to eat the gum drops that were intended for the rooftop. It was a good time . Nana returned from NYC for a fun evening with Piper and Piper loved every minute of it.

Not only was it a gingerbread fest it was Derek's 37th B-day bash week. We enjoyed a nice night at home, I made some chicken parm and yellow cupcakes with chocolate frosting. He enjoyed his gift of iron man gym pull up bar that attaches to any door way in our house. He has to keep his 6 pack even after downing 4 cupcakes and 10 hot dogs for the week. hahahaha, because the gym at 4:30 am in the morning isn't enough, why not work out more at home.

New Bike

Piper got her first bike from her Baba and Papa for Hanukkah. She LOVES it but it's still a little too big for her. She needs to grow a little so she can use it. That being said we just went to the doc for her 18 month appointment and the little pip squeak hasn't gained much weight, she is pushing 20 lbs. She is mini. I know Derek and I are mini but she is mini too, go figure. You would think she would gain weight from all of the grilled cheese she eats but thinking about it, I think I eat her grilled cheese most nights because she she tries to feed it to me. Time to add the protein powder to her smoothies if she ever wants to ride her new amazing radio flyer pink bike.

Happy Hannukkah

Hanukkah is here and we have been lighting the candles every night. Piper loves the tradition and has learned very quickly that presents are great too. I love that we have a Christmas tree and a menorah and are teaching Piper about everything during the holidays. I can't wait to see her Christmas morning when she opens up even more crap from "Santa" who she is totally freaked out by. When she sees him she absolutely looses it. However when you ask her what Santa says she says " Ho Ho Ho".

Thanksgiving 09

Thanksgiving this year started off at 5am. Derek and I woke up in the dark, grabbed Piper and headed down to the annual Dana Point Turkey Trot 10K. Last year we we ran it together in the pouring rain but this year it was bright and sunny and cold and crisp out. We joined up with our great friends the Applebaum's and ran like the wind. The day couldn't have started off on a better note. Piper and Reef enjoyed themselves cruising in the strollers watching the 10,000 runners. It was a good way to start the day. We are so thankful for our health and that we are able to run. We know too many people that are sick and can't even run if they wanted to so we are more then thankful for our health.

" Health is wealth"

Thanksgiving 2009 was GREAT!!! Every year we go to my moms, that's just the way it goes. It's close there is great food and family and friends. This year was no exception. We had 23 people. There were mom's, step moms, sisters, bothers, aunts, uncles, friends and dogs. It was a packed house and fun was had by all. It was especially great to get the little cousins together to play. London and Piper had fun going down the small slide 100 times.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, no gifts, great food and family, you can't beat it.

Yes, Derek had to polish off the scotch straight out of the bottle when we arrived, how else would we get the festivities started.

Back In Action

My computer has been really messed up for the last few weeks. I had no way of getting onto the Internet and it was very frustrating. Finally after years of talking about it I actually purchased my first Mac today. I am so excited and I can't wait to do some crafty stuff with it.
This month has been really fun. I love the holidays!!!!!! First off twinkle lights everywhere, how could you not love it.Twinkle light rule. Starbucks has there red Christmas cups and how can you resist Christmas music, I confess I am already listening to it. I am such a Jewish girl.

This weekend was great, the Winter festival opened in Laguna and we took Piper to see the snow and the petting zoo that was there. It was a great time, it really made it reality that the holidays are really here. Time seriously flies. 2010 around the corner.

Recently on a day at Baba's and Papa's my mom gave me a pair of my cowboy boots from when I was Piper's age. They are adorable and they fit Piper. It's crazy to me that my daughter is wearing my boots from when I was her age. I LOVE that we are already sharing clothes. Pipes loves her new cowboy boots and is hilarious when she walks in them because they have a little heel and they make a tapping sound. She actually wears them in the kitchen and will do a little tap dance in them. Check her out in this picture just digging herself in them.
This is just a normal afternoon at the Halpern house with her millions of toys that we swore would never take up the living room. This is just funny because the dress she has on she wore last Thanksgiving when she was 5 months old. She must have been swimming in it.

Crabby Little Lady

I feel like Piper has been crabby for a little while now. Maybe it's her teeth, time change, lack of naps. She sure knows how to wake up early and take minimal naps and be pissed. Makes for a lot of fun all day. I'm sure it's a phase..... but don't you always wonder why all of your friends kids take 3 hour plus naps and your kid might sleep for an hour all day if your lucky.

She still is cute when she is angry.

Digging the Laguna Rainbow outfit. She sure fits in here.

Halloween night and sick of the bee costume

I feel like everyone was a bee this year, even Rocco the dog.

This year we spent the evening at our friends house eating pizza having fun until it was time to hit up the infamous Oak street where they close the street and decorate like crazy, parents are drinking and kids are running around like crazy. A little much for me but a great time.

The Nedelman clan made it down from LA so the cousins could get some holiday face time. It was fun and Derek was home sleeping by 7:30 pm.

P.S. I wasn't the only adult dressed up. However I like Alice in Wonderland so any chance I get why not dress up.

Somehow Piper found some more candy and was eating wrapper and all.

Two of the cutest the bees that I have ever seen.

Halloween Parade 09

2009 Annual Laguna Beach Parents Club Halloween Parade.

This year I decided to take part in the parade and volunteer myself and my friend Jessica to run the parade. So ambitious of us. It actually turned out great and there probably around 200 people there. Fun was had by all. The costumes were great to see and Piper had a great time drinking every juice box in sight and eating suckers. So she she does like food, pretty much anything that is candy or sugar.

Our band of girls that like to run together.

The fish, devil, skunk, pirate and bee.

Found another juice box somewhere.

I Do Eat

I know everyone thinks Piper doesn't eat but she does. She is a great eater but she is a picky eater, she LOVES her grilled cheeses. Some might think is a skinny skeleton but she is just petite, you should check out her budda tummy with her shirt off.

" Don't Be Tardy For The Party"

The annual playgroup Halloween party. So much to do in the life of a 16 month toddler. We have Halloween festivities all week, good thing Piper is cool with her costume and doesn't mind wearing it.

We headed to our playgroup party yesterday for a few hours in the afternoon, something about kids in costumes is the best. I love all of the costumes and it's hilarious when some kids spend most of the time trying to get their wings off or their hats or costume all together. Love the initiative some parents took to even paint their kids faces with blood and stuff. Halloween is the best !!!! Piper had fun,she mostly tried to climb the expensive glass table in the living room or climb the kiddie kitchen set or anything else that she could possibly climb.

More fun tomorrow for it's the annual Laguna Beach Parents Club Halloween parade that I have decided to host. Should be a good time blowing up 100 balloons down at Main Beach while trying to watch Piper. Stay tuned for some fun photos.