Happy Holidays Love the Moss Family

Here is our family Christmas pictures. We gave them to the grandparents in frames who felt a little shorted since the photo is now outdated thanks to Hunter. More on our newest little joy when I get the pictures downloaded. We hope that everyone had a Merry Christmas and are looking forward to a new year full of great surprises!

Ellie's Polar Express party @ School

Ellie's pre-school had a Polar Express party at school last week. Ellie was so excited for it all week. They had to show up to school that day in their pj's and special ticket to get on the "train". On their train ride they had hot chocolate and read the book the Polar Express. They also sang Jingle Bells to the Moms and Dads (well Ellie just stood there while everyone else sang, even though she sings that song at home all the time!) After singing time they got to decorate and eat cookies! When all was said and done they brought home a bell from Santa's sleigh! Ellie had lots of fun and it was really cute!

Making Cookies

This past weekend we had a few friends over so that our kids could make sugar cookies together. Ellie was so excited for everyone to come over, she would ask seriously every 5 minutes where her friends were! Well the kids had a blast, and Mommy did pretty good too despite the mess! Out of all the kids I think that my 2 were the messiest (of course). Ellie's cookies were a masterpiece and a cavity waiting to happen! Not only did they have tons of frosting and sprinkles, but there were layers of it on each cookie! Then there was Carson who totally got into it, which I wasn't anticipating at all, but I should have cause he thinks he is one of the big kids and will do whatever they are doing to prove it. Most of Carson's decorations ended up either in his mouth or on his clothes, which actually made his cookies edible! Well the night was a sucess, the kids had so much fun together. So thanks to the Rodriguez and McMullin families for hangin out and having fun!

Train ride to Olvera St.

On Saturday the Moss family took the train down to Olvera St. It's a tradition in the Moss/Byer family to go down there every year at Christmas to eat taquitos, and pick out a pinata that we crack open on Christmas Eve. So Matt, myself, Ellie, Carson, Uncle Rich, Aunt Julie, Blake, Logan, and Grandma and Grandpa all met at the train stationthat morning. The kids were so excited to go on the train, and even though it was a little pricey it was so much more relaxing and fun than it is to drive. When we got there we were all hungry and ate the famous taquitos which Matthew absolutely loves! To my surprise Ellie loved them too (like father, like daughter!). After lunch we went on the search for the perfect pinata. It eventually came down to a Christmas tree and a boot. As you can see the boot won! It is so big it makes Carson look tiny, but he still insisted on caring it around like the big kids did. Well we eventually made it back on the train. It was a long day especially since I am hugely pregnant, but the kids had a blast and it was well worth making great memories with my family!

Decorating for Christmas!

Last weekend Matt, the kids and I got up and decorated the house for Christmas. To follow Moss tradition we had donuts and hot chocolate while we decorated our tree. I love Christmas, it is my favorite time of year! The kids had so much fun putting the ornaments on the Christmas tree (well Ellie had fun putting them on and Carson had fun taking them off!) Even though it took twice as long to decorate we had a blast and it was well worth it!

The Disney Fairies

Matt and I took the kids to Disneyland last week so the kids could do something fun with Daddy before he left for Sacramento for the week. Good idea right? Wrong! As soon as we pulled into the parking lot Matthew got a call that he had to go to court! So the kids and I stayed at Disneyland while Matt went to work. By the time he came back and met up with us, the kids were asleep and I was ready to go. So much for Daddy hangin out with the kids, well at least we tried! So the next day Ellie didn't have preschool and wanted to see the fairies, and it just so happened that our "favorite fairy, Rosetta" was working that day. So crazy me went back to Disneyland, but I brought reinforcements this time, Mark and my Mom. Anyways, the fairies were so cute and Ellie was really excited that see got to see the "red one", but disappointed that the "blue one" wasn't there. I don't know why those 2 colored fairy, but whatever floats your boat I guess!

Matthew is a Hero with a Heart

This past weekend Matt and I went to an awards banquet for an organization called TIP (Trama Intervention Program). The organization helps people through tramatic inccidences and nominates those service men and women rather it be Police Officers, Firefighters, Medical Professionals and so on who have gone the extra mile to be compassionate to those they come across in duty to recieve what they call a "Hero with a Heart" award. There were 13 people being honored that night (Matthew being one of them). So the organization held a banquet for these people and presented each nominee with a plaque. It was funny cause when it was Matt's turn to recieve his award they posted a picture of him in his uniform and the ladies at the table behind me all gasped saying " Oh my goodness he is sooo young!" After the awards banquet they came up to meet the oh so young officer and decided after standing next to his pregnant wife that he might be a little older than they had thought. Then when they asked him if this was going to be our first child and he said,"No our third" they were floored, and I couldn't help but smile :). At least one of us still looks like a spring chick! Well the banquet was nice and I was so proud of my husband! The only down side to this wonderful night is that it fell on the same day as our neice, Kayla's baptism. I swear Matthew and I could do nothing for months and then everything important to us falls on the same darn day! So Kayla we hope that you had a very special day! We are so proud of you and sorry that we couldn't be there!

Field Trip to the Fire Station

Last week Ellie's class went on a field trip to the Fire Station. They showed the kids the fire trucks with all their cool equipment, but about half way through showing off all their gear on the truck they got an emergency call and had to leave, so the kids didn't get to see very much, or touch anything on the truck. (what a bummer huh?) But they did get to see Fireman Harry dress up in all his protective gear which the kids thought was cool. After all was said and done the kids got a coloring book and a firefighter sticker. So we told Ellie that it was time to go and she refused! We kept trying to explain to her that the trip was over, but she insisted it wasn't because she didn't see "a red one". Around here our fire trucks are yellow, and according to Ellie they should be red ( I personally agree). Ever since the field trip Ellie has talked about the firemen and how she wants to go back and see "a red one!". Well Mommy will see what she can do babe :).

Happy Halloween!!

This year for Halloween Ellie wanted to be Wendy from Peter Pan, and so naturally Carson was Peter Pan ( I have to do the matching thing while they let me, cuz I think it's so cute). Well unfortunately for me they don't make Wendy costumes, and all the Peter Pan costumes were too big for Carson. So for the 3rd year in a row I made the kid's costumes for Halloween (we'll see if I am this ambicious next year with 3 kids!) Ellie was such a big helper with sewing her dress, so when it was finally done she could hardly wait to wear it!We had so many parties to go to this year between school and church, so at least their costumes got good use! By the time the trick-or-treating and parties were over we were left with so much candy I don't know what to do with it all! Unfortunately for Daddy there are alot of lollipops :) . At our ward trunk-or-treating Matt took the kids around while I passed out candy. When he came back with the kids he was all mad because when Ellie got to pick her own candy she always picked a sucker (she loves them). So we had to remind Daddy who Halloween was for ha ha!

Carson's Pre-Halloween Party

Well despite all my efforts my son Carson is a chocolate lover! Not only is he a chocolate lover, but he loves anything that is sweet! Ellie is so not like that, she just barely figured out what candy and juice are. Anyways I desperately needed to take a shower the other morning and Matt was still sleeping (he works swing shift). So apparently the rule at my house is when Mom is away the children will play. I don't know where, or how he got it, but when I got out of the shower Carson had grown a chocolate beard! As you can see he had no regrets of his crime :)

Ellie's First Field Trip

So our little Ellie Ray is in Pre-school! I really can't believe that she is old enough to be going to school. She had a little rocky start at first, but she absolutely loves it now! So she recently went on her first school field trip to a pumpkin patch in Irvine. Because of Matt's work schedule right now the whole family got to go on the field trip with her. We had so much fun petting the animals, riding the train, and playing in the Hay Stack Maze. After Ellie got to pick her own pumpkin. She thought and looked very hard and long for the perfect one (I think we were the last ones there :) ). Well our first field trip down, and many more to come!

Apple Picking

So I am trying to start traditions in our little family, and thought that going to Oak Glen this fall would be a good idea. So Matt the kids, my parents and I went to go pick apples. It has been so hot here lately that I didn't think it would be very cold, so I packed the kids two jackets each and if it weren't for Matt I wouldn't have had one for myself. Well needless to say even , the pregnant one was freezing up there. Our pictures are decieving with the sun shining, but trust me it was cold! Even so, the kids had a blast! Ellie was so excited to be able to pick her own apples, it was cute, and Carson just loves to be outside whenever he can! So all in all we had a good time and just might have to go back next year!

Here are the Moss'

So here's the Moss Family. Forever changing, forever growing. Matthew and I have been married for almost 5 years now. Matt has been working as a Police Officer for the past 2 years now, and he loves his job. Ellie is 3 years old already; I can't believe it! She is our girly girl. She loves to play dress up, paint her toe nails, and wear "lips" a.k.a. lipstick. Carson is 17 months old, also to my surprise! He is the opposite of our Ellie Ray. He is loud and rough. He is a big fan of cars, and balls, and has the best smile in the whole world! I (Danielle) am fortunate enough to be able to stay at home with the kids and be the Mommy; which I think is the best job, and hardest job ever! Like I said our family is forever changing, forever growing. We are adding to the Moss crew come January 15th, and we can hardly wait for our little Hunter Thomas to come!