New Year's Eve in Idyllwild

Kyle often has SO many ideas of things that he wants to do on his days off that it is hard to pick just one. But on New Year's Eve day, while Andrew was taking his morning nap, he decided that we had to take Andrew up to Idyllwild to see the fresh snow that fell a couple days prior. So after Andrew woke up, we packed the beast (a.k.a. Kyle's truck), packed enough warm clothes for Andrew, and tons of snacks. We were Idyllwild bound! The drive up was great. Andrew sat in the back and talked and talked and talked and talked! He is very fond of his vocal abilities and likes to make lots of new sounds and words. He certainly kept himself entertained.

When we arrived to Idyllwild, the place was bustling! We have been several times before but never filled to this capacity. It was like Disneyland, you had to wait just to get in. If you haven't been to Idyllwild before, you must. The city has a population of about 3,500 people and is so adorably quaint and cute. We love to go up there every year, especially during the winter season with the snow. So in Wallace tradition, we had to take our little man to get his first taste and feel of the snow. After a pair of long johns, long sleeved shirt, sweat shirt, and a snow jacket, Andrew looked like the kid from "A Christmas Story," you know, the kid who could barely walk down the street because the padding of his clothing prevented him from walking. That was Andrew! He looked ADORABLE!!

Kyle found us the perfect spot, an empty parking lot of a very snow-filled school yard. At first, Andrew didn't care for the cold or the snow. He certainly didn't seem to be interested. But once Kyle decided to throw a little snow ball at our little marshmallow man, the games were on! Andrew came to life and was beside himself. While he couldn't pick up the snow because of his mittens, he loved trying to grab it and enjoyed watching Kyle be silly. Andrew was all smiles and giggles. I went crazy taking pictures because every moment was so perfect.

You want to have a snowball fight?

It was absolute gorgeous day!

After we played in the snow, we walked into the town and if you know Kyle, you know that finding a coffee shop is the first item on the day's agenda. Apparently, it was everyone else's idea too. The line was out the door and people were jammed into this pint sized place like sardines. Again, if you know Kyle, you also know that he doesn't do well with waiting in lines. So the coffee idea...OUT! Instead, we enjoyed walking throughout the town and checking out the shops. Andrew sure caught the attention of all the ladies in town and man, he knows how to work it! The kid has game I tell you! It's like he woos them in and then once he has their attention, he tilts his head and gives them this look of "how you doin'?" It's frightening to know that my toddler knows so much on how to impress the ladies. Geez!

After walking around town, Kyle couldn't take it anymore and decided to give the coffee house one last try. The line was still just as long but at this point, he was cold and wanted caffeine. So he waited in line. Meanwhile, Andrew and I shared some snacks on the front porch of the coffee shop. I would say a good 30 minutes went by before Kyle emerged from the coffee shop. Thankfully, the coffee was delicious so no complaints. The wait was worth it! On our way back to the truck, I noticed this wooden fence that was so "outdoorsy" and lined this field of trees. It was too picture perfect to pass up so in full blown paparazzi mode, I had Andrew stand in front so that I could snap a few pics. And wouldn't you know it? They turned out to be the best pics of the day. I just love this little boy more than words can say!

Happy New Year friends and may 2013 bless you as Andrew has in our lives!

Christmas Soirees

This year was a very busy Holiday season for the Wallace Family! We attended many, and when I say many, I mean 9 Holiday parties! I only have pictures from 6 of them. Needless to say, I am pooped and looking forward to having this holiday winter break to recover! Recover and catch up...ha!

Note: I hyperlinked some of the posts that I blogged about with pictures. Enjoy!!

• The first of our many parties was Kyle's work party (Christmas Fun in Moreno Valley). Let's just say it has been a VERY long time since I have stayed up until 4am and I hope it is a very long time before I do that again. Although the fun I had with such good friends was worth the sleep deprivation and Andrew running circles around me the next day.

• My team teacher and I hosted a gift exchange and holiday extravaganza for our middle school students. We had a gift exchange for over 70 students and in grand Wallace tradition, we watched the movie Elf. Will Ferrell is always a hit!

• The next major holiday gathering was my work Christmas party (Christmas: RSC Style). Go figure, Kyle was working so I went solo. But, alas, it was so much to be with the most amazing group of educators OUTSIDE of work. Somehow, we managed to talk very little about work and more about life itself. We feasted, took part in a white elephant gift exchange, and took pictures in the photo booth.

• We then entered Christmas week. My neighbors and I can't resist a party, although, we really don't need an excuse to get together.  On Christmas Eve Eve, the housewives (and househusbands were included too) were gathered to celebrate the holiday with a gift exchange, ornament exchange, and just a time to enjoy each other's company. I love my neighbors so much and I am thrilled that Andrew will have such a great neighborhood to grow up in. 

This was also the night of our Ugly Sweaters. However, only 1 other couple showed up in sweaters...hubbies too! :) Kyle and I managed to score a pair of matching sweaters! You know you are jealous!

• On Christmas Eve, we celebrated the Wallace-Martin Secret Santa gift exchange. Somehow, Kyle and I managed to draw my parents. SWEET!!! They were easy to buy for. The best part of the evening included Andrew hanging out with his cousin Penny, the chalkboard wall (which it's drawing components, compliments of the Wallace Martin Men, will forever stay in silence) and most importantly, spending time with the family. I am very fortunate that my family and Kyle's family get along as well as they do so our holidays are actually enjoyable. I am sorry to those of you that experience the contrary!

• My favorite day, of course, was Christmas Day! After 30 years of experiencing Christmas (yes, I know I am getting old!), this day took on a brand new meaning when Santa came to the house and made my sweet little man's face light up with joy and happiness. The look on his face was indescribable. He smiled from ear to ear. Check out all the pictures on Santa came for Andrew. After we opened presents, my family and I went over to our neighbor's home, where, once again, she outdid herself with the most amazing Puerto Rican culinary cuisine. We were stuffed and very jolly!! Thank you Roxy for making Christmas so special...and tastey!

As for these last few days that I have on winter break, I am eager to continue to rest and relax. I started to take down the Christmas decorations. If you know me, you know that this generally isn't done until after New Year's because I can't part with my Christmas tree. However, the tree is dead! Not just dead, but brown dead and smells absolutely divine dead! With this being said, it has to get out of the house! I can't stand looking at such a sad DEAD tree. It really was the best tree we have ever had...super fat and full! It was such a bummer it died so fast!

In addition, I am sorry to say that I did not have time to get Christmas cards out this year! Honestly, I am usually so good about this but of course, December snuck up on me and here we are, Christmas is long gone. So for those of you that enjoy our card every year, please don't be mad at me. I promise I will be better at it next year. I have already put a reminder on my Google calendar (yes, this is what my life has come to...a series of reminders on my email!) Geez!! Maybe one of these days, life will slow down. Lord knows it isn't with Andrew. He just keeps growing and growing and growing!

Happy Holidays friends!

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas with your family and loved ones!  

The Wallace Family wishes you a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Christmas Day 2012

After all the hustle and bustle (and all the holiday gatherings...phewww!), it was time to watch the magic unfold for our little guy this year at the sight of what Santa had brought him. Andrew is at the stage where his curiousity overcomes him and he can't wait to open anything and EVERYTHING in sight! So you can imagine his face when he saw all the potential mischeif underneath our tree. The ribbons, the lights, the paper, the boys, the bags, the ornaments...let's face it, the boy was in heaven!!
When we brought him downstairs, we turned on all the Christmas lights in the house. If you know Kyle, you know that he likes to give Clark Griswold a run for his money. Needless to say, the house was fully illuminated and all Andrew could say was "ohhh" and "ooohhh!" He was so excited! He could not wait to tear into everything! But of course, he was first distracted by his new work bench from Santa. He was absolutely beside himself. It was a destruction, noise maker, all in one toy center! Woo hoo!!

More from the Holiday Fun:

He has been jammin' like a rock star!

Andrew surveying his loot after he opened all the presents!

Thank you Uncle JJ for my very own Cowboys jersey!

Checking out his new tools.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Getting ready for Christmas:

Don't mind the mess, we were in full-blown decorating mode and let's just say Andrew enjoyed "helping" us unload the tubs but had no intention of helping do anything after.

He found the lights!

 

 

 

And turned himself into a knot.

 

 

 

He could not handle the fun that was had from empty wrapping paper rolls. He was in heaven! Note to Santa for next year: bring this kid wrapping paper!

Merry Christmas 2012

Merry Christmas from the 

Gris-Wallace Family!

Don't mind the bumps and bruises, Andrew still hasn't learned that his toys don't break his fall. Mommy's little bruiser!

His face says it all...he is such a stinker! But such a cute little stinker!

And yes, we were attending an Ugly Sweater party! Mine still had the shoulder pads! 

Merry Christmas friends! We hope this holiday season finds your family healthy and happy! 

With love,

The Wallace Family

Christmas morning was amazing this year! The holidays seem to take on a new meaning with kids. Andrew's face was priceless at the site of all of Santa's gifts! I will post those pics soon!

Christmas: RSC Style

Just a few pictures from our Christmas party. I sincerely and genuinely love the men and women I work with! They inspire me and provide me with so much support and friendship. I am thankful for them everyday!

The night was filled with fun and laughter and I am happy that I was able to be apart of it! I am so sad that once again, Kyle had to work but hey, when have I ever not travelled in a large group of one?

Merry Christmas from the Riverside Student Center!

Thank you Emilie for being my date tonight!! Thank you for also letting me steal your pictures since I am a lame-o and forgot my camera!!

And thank you to Lindsey for being such a FABULOUS team teacher!! You are the best work wifey!

Merry Christmas!

Round 3...done! Only 8 more holiday parties to go to this year! Woohoo!

Christmas Fun in Moreno Valley

So the year would not come to a proper close without the grand event and Christmas party of the Riverside County/Moreno Valley Fire Department. This evening is filled with lots of fun, laughter, raffles, food, and catching up with other families. This year was particularly special since this was mine and Kyle's first overnight away TOGETHER from Andrew. So of course, I did it up! I put on a fancy dress, heels, and even some fab-u-lous eyelashes! I was ready to have a great night out with my hubby! And wouldn't you know my "I hate photos hubby!", I do not have 1 picture of the two of us together that night! Shocker!!

We arrived to the party and enjoyed all that was anticipated. I had no idea that the party would last until all hours of the night...and day! Dinner came and went, the raffle came and went (which we won a Blue Ray/DVD player!), and then we were dancing until midnight! The evening also included one of Kyle's co-workers proposing to his girlfriend on the year end Christmas video. It was the sweetest thing I had ever seen! Of course all of us wives couldn't help but smack our hubbies to say "HEY!!!"

The very beautiful ladies and wives of Mo Val's finest!

Someone in the group decided it was time to move our party to Buffalo Wild Wings which is were we resided until almost 2:30am.

On our way to have some hot wings. We were the smart ones who forgot our jackets and managed to get a ride over to the restaurant! I know, I know, very un-Courtnie like! But I enjoyed this moment with these people A LOT!!

By the time we made it back to the hotel and spent time chatting by the fire in the hotel lobby, it was almost 4:30 before I finally went to bed. Unbelievable! I haven't done that since I was in college. And let me tell you, I don't know how I ever managed to stay up like that! The next day was killer! Especially with my sweet little man running around the house. No rest for the weary I suppose! But I am thankful for the friendships I have with these fine people and the new relationships that were made that night!

Round 1 done of the Christmas Soiree's...onto the next!