It is pretty special when you get to see your parent become a grandparent. I really got to see that with my dad this trip. He was a total goober just like I expected. Harper has him wrapped around her little finger. My dad and my stepmom really spoiled us this trip. We got to stay with them and they showered Harper with so many generous gifts. We were also able to be at their Christmas Eve party where Harper got to meet all the Upton clan. While everyone was enjoying how perfect Harper was, they decided to tell me stories of when I was a baby. Apparently I wasn't very pleasant haha. Who knew? I turned out okay I think. I was really grateful that Harper got to meet everyone. It is hard living so far away from family. I cried as soon as we got back home. We were so spoiled this Christmas vacation and I can't wait to go back!

xo Carly

^^^ too much disney for one baby

You know when you're on your way to Disneyland and you hope that it is one of those days where no one else is there? Yeah... Our hopes were crushed as soon as we entered the parking lot. It was so insane. I was instantly stressed out. I wasn't sure how Harper was going to react to Disneyland without the added commotion. We decided to eat at Rainforest Cafe first. A very delicious choice. After we ate I needed to feed Harper and was hoping Rainforest had a family room for me to nurse in. What I thought was a nursing room ended up being a one person bathroom with a woman peeing in it. I was obviously emotionally scared by the incident. So, with no better options I just fed Harper at the table. It felt liberating to just feed my baby and not feel like I needed to hide myself. No body stared at me and no body told me to stop. This is why I love Southern CA. When we finally got to the park, we decided to just pick a ride to go on. Haunted Mansion won of course! My favorite. We had to abandon our nice stroller which really stressed me out, but Taylor and my mama helped me calm down. What would I do without them? We waited in line for two hours and Taylor ran into a family from his mission. I swear Mormons are everywhere. Harper loved the ride. Taylor and my brother Colby headed over to Space Mountain while my mom and I got treats and a spot to watch the parade. Did you know Disneyland has a nursing room? It's on Main Street and it's totally legit. There are really nice workers in there that made me feel like a really important person. And I'm just an average person. Harper loved the night parade. And Colby and Taylor were disappointed when Space Mountain closed after waiting for an hour and a half in line. Poor guys. Disneyland was a success in my book. I road Haunted Mansion and got a churro. What more can you need? Oh and Harper had a total blast. I was one tired happy mama.

xo Carly

This year Taylor and I finally decided that we were going to take family pictures. We have not sent out a card since our wedding announcement. ( Two and a half years ago ) Since Harper is in the picture now, we thought we should send out a holiday card to our family. Besides wanting more pictures of Harper, we decided to take holiday pictures for two reasons: 1 - We live so far away from family and wanted them to have a picture of us to hang on their fridge. 2 - We really needed some new  pictures in our house. I am so happy with the way these turned out. I am just obsessed with my tiny little family. I can't wait to send these out on Holiday cards when we get home.  Incase you don't receive one: 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE KOZAKS

xo Carly

I am overcome with gratitude for this amazing man. I could not ask for a better companion by my side. It has been really hard for me to feel confident since I having Harper. But doing this photo session with Taylor made me feel so beautiful. It was sweet to be able to hold him and pose like the old days. Now, we have to juggle Harper somewhere in the middle of us. I just fall more and more in love with this guy every day. I am excited for another amazing year with him and Harper girl. A special thank you to our best friends Kevin and Nicole for walking around Porters with Harper while we took these pictures. Another thank you to Allison Quist who took these amazing photos. So much talent and appreciation for her!

xo Carly

When you are in elementary school you always think that the friends you have then are going to be your best friends forever. There are only a few friends that you hold onto no matter how far you go or how much time passes. Taylor and I met Nicole and Kevin a few months after we were married. They had only been married for like 2 weeks. We had been married for like 4 months (we were obviously pros at this point). Nicole and Kev moved right next door to us. Ever since that day, we knew we wouldn't be able to get rid of them. They are so sweet, full of sunshine and laughs. I'm so glad God put them in our life. We couldn't ask for better Forever Friends. Even our cats like each other. So here's to my Nicole. We were cut from the same cloth by the same pair of tiny scissors. You're my person gurlfran. Love you mucho.  

xo Carly