Winter Wonderland

I often wake up at odd hours with a random thought, the need to complete a mental checklist, or since entering my third trimester, to use the restroom. But last night, I couldn't fall asleep. As tired as I was, excitement and anticipation filled the air as rumor had it that our little valley was going to be covered in snow. Was it too good to be true? Forecasts showed snow as early as 10pm. Well, 10pm, 11pm, midnight, 1am, 2am....I was like a little girl waiting at the window for a Santa sighting. Nothing!

I was starting to feel a bit gipped that my friends in surrounding cities and communities were posting pictures of snowfall in their neighborhoods. What the heck?? I couldn't believe I had managed to stay awake until 2am but I did and man, I was disappointed! Nothing, not a flurry, snowflake, nothing! So when Andrew woke up the next morning at 8am(a celebration in itself as this kid rarely sleeps in!! GO ME!), we let the dog outside and wouldn't you know it, the backyard was covered in frost, with areas actually covered in patches of snow! I am not even going to complain that we were late coming to the snow party but I was curious was it looked like at 6am. In any event, Andrew was SO excited!!! He couldn't wait to get his jacket on and check out the snow in the yard.

My parent's backyard had a much better showing!

Only in Temecula and in Southern California would you see us Valley folk this excited about a little snow. In wine country, people pulled off the side of the road to sled and have a snow ball fight!

Winter Wonderland in Wine Country indeed!

It was a perfect end to 2014! One we probably won't see again for another 10-15 years!

Memories of this Year's Winter Fun

As I spend the evening reflecting on the blessings and adventures I have endured during 2014, my heart smiles...and Austin rolls around in my belly reminding me that he is absolutely one of my biggest blessings...and he is not even here yet! This is the first New Year's Eve that I have not spent the evening out celebrating and ready to ring in the New Year with family and friends. With all honesty, at almost 8 months pregnant, I am A-Okay with it! Andrew and I are spending the evening all bundled up, watching Christmas movies, and playing with the toys recently left by Santa. Today, in itself, was both productive and day of celebration! For the first time in I don't know how many years, it snowed in Southern California. That's right, these aren't crazy prego hormones talking, we actually got snow and the Temecula Valley looked like a Winter Wonderland. And if you are from Southern California, your Facebook page and every phone conversation was filled with excitement of waking up to a white New Year's Eve. Andrew certainly was giddy. We didn't have quite as big of a snow covering as other neighborhoods in the area but it was enough to get Andrew beyond excited, put on his jacket, and new boots and go out and play! It was definitely a great way to end 2014 and welcome 2015.

Some highlights of the Winter Fun for Wallace Family include: (click on the links for the individual posts and pictures)

• Christmas Extravaganza
• Snow in Old Town Temecula
• Andrew meets Santa!
• Bainbridge Circle Christmas Lights
• Big Bear Bonanza

The evening is coming to a close and with a happy heart and gratitude, I wish you and your family a Happy New Year and I can't wait for what lies ahead in 2015!

Bainbridge Circle Christmas Lights

A few years ago, Kyle and I discovered a neighborhood in our community that literally goes all out with a Christmas light spectacular that involves an entire street of homes and is synced to music that is played from a local radio station. It is no joke! And every year, it gets bigger and better, particularly with the addition of more homes. We have now made it a tradition to take Andrew every year. Last year, we took Andrew at least a dozen times. As Christmas came closer, we found the street's popularity greatly increased, so much so that the CHP became involved to manage traffic on and off the street. This year, even at 5:30, when it first opens, Bainbridge Circle was packed! We personally enjoy walking the street since there is so much to see but it is fun to be in your car, nice and roasty toasty and with music blaring at you.
The holidays seem get better and better every year, especially with our little man! He fully understands the magic of Santa Claus and holiday spirit. Every night when driving home from our day's adventures, Andrew would ask to see Christmas lights. So if it wasn't too packed, we visited Bainbridge. Andrew recognized many characters in homeowner's yards, including Snoopy, Elf on the Shelf, Santa, the reindeer, characters from the old time classics like Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Charlie Brown. He LOVES IT!!! And apparently, so does the rest of the valley since the street was always packed. I am happy that our community has a place to welcome visitors from everywhere to gather and share in the holiday spirit. It is certainly a tradition in the Wallace house and we look forward to the year's to come.

I just can't remember when he got so big!!

Happy Holidays friends!!

Snow in Old Town Temecula

After returning from Big Bear and seeing Andrew's fascination with snow, Kyle had heard that the City of Temecula was going to be holding it's Annual Snow and was going to bring in snow for munchkins to play in. After dinner, we walked around Old Town Temecula and checked out the holiday festivities. Old Town had an ice skating rink, train, shopping, music, and food. They also had real snow for toddlers to play in as well as the "snow" from City Hall. Even though Andrew knew it was bubbles, he still enjoyed the fun!

He wasn't too sure about jumping into the "snow" with the rest of the kids.

And within 5 minutes of being in the car, our little man was DONE!

Andrew meets Santa!

Today is the big day! Today is the day that Andrew is going to meet the jolly ole' man himself...Santa! Since last year, Andrew has talked about Santa but was always too scared to meet him. Secretly, I really wanted to be the proud parents of one of those photos where the child is terrified on Santa's lap but I chickened out. This year, with the support and encouragement from his best little buddy, I was optimistic that Andrew would meet Santa and maybe even get a photo!

 

At first glance, it was not looking good. Andrew wanted nothing to do with Santa. Jakob told Santa everything he wanted for Christmas and Andrew stood behind me and checked out the man in the red suit. After a few minutes of no progress, we went to the side of the store where there was an ornament decorating station for kids to gain courage and for Santa to come and meet and greet, with the hopes that kids will warm up to him. Thankfully, Auntie Kara had the brilliant idea that Andrew buddied up to Santa, we would go play at the park that was set up within the shopping center. Genius!! And it totally worked!

Hard at work!

Afterwards, both boys were chitty chatty and telling Santa their whole life story.

Andrew gave Santa high fives....

And even knuckles! They were officially homies!

Look at these two goofballs! 

But they sure are dang cute!! 

 

Thank goodness our first visit with Santa was a success! Hopefully, we will have continued success in the years to come!

Merry Christmas!!