CA Christmas 2010

We are still here but I thought I'd cover Christmas...these photos are straight from the camera.

We got in super super late Friday night...or really early Saturday morning. When we woke up we loaded up Baby B and headed to the coast to...

see a sweet baby girl,

and her sweet mama (and daddy, not pictured. thanks for a great visit Mckay's!).

Then to the 7th Annual Cousin Christmas party. The first one was at our place when we lived in Monrovia. It involves fabulous food and a serious game of Catchphrase.

Next day was a lunch with Carla, dear old friend.

Then we headed back to the desert to find our kids

riding bikes

and scooters..in December. sigh...

The rest of the time consisted of tasting pomegranates,

playing with cousins,

resting,

finding water in the desert after the rain,

and taking in the view.

We celebrated Den's birthday,

fed sheep,

pet chickens,

ate carne asada from here...it was amazing as always. Don't hate.

Then there was the candlelight Christmas Eve Service,

where everyone sang.

Then it was time for Christmas pj's.

Someone thought he'd try to take a peek before bed.

Christmas morning came fairly early and started w/ baked oatmeal and

stockings, and then opened gifts.

Who looks the most excited in this picture?

The dog was humiliated.

There was plenty of treats.

We ended the day with a Christmas walk,

happy baby,

rare full family shot,

and fabulous sunset.

Goodnight Grandpa.

The rest of the week has been spent playing w/ new toys,

seeing old friends,

playing games,

seeing more old friends,

playing with dogs.

We have a few days left and we plan to just enjoy the weather (although it's raining, it's still warmer here!) and the family. Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas.

Opening Decmeber

Sunday school store day...also decorate your own cookie day.

1st cello concert of this school year

baby in a basket

making chocolate pretzels. did you know that if you let your kids eat dipping chocolate with a spoon they will love you forever? true story.

E won the messy award.

Christmas play...J was a Russian spy and E was part of the heavenly host.

We let the kids open their gifts from us before we head west. They'll get one more in CA, but I was NOT going to haul them all out there just to haul them back.

Christmas Card Fail

I know I'm not alone when I say that Christmas cards are an undertaking. Trying to get your kids to all look the same general direction, and not look like they want to kill something is quite a feat. I'm even okay with them not having a the perfect smile. I used to want that, but I've let it go. My friend let me borrow her fancy camera to take my Christmas card photo and it took two different days to get something usable. Then there is the lighting. Some were to dark, others too grainy. Ugh. BUT...it's my own fault for looking at craft blogs by the new era of momtogs and slipping into the trap of comparison. That and there's that first Christmas card that set the standard, "Oooo, I love your Christmas cards, but that one is my favorite." It's the Christmas I was prego with V and the older two are leaning on my belly. I love it too. BUT it's not happening again folks! I am releasing myself from Christmas card perfection. Well....maybe....

Closing November

We're going to close this month with bullet points and pictures...ahem...

• visited both classes of the kids on Wednesday before T-day. J was having a class meal where he learned how to properly set the table, push in a chair for a young lady. His teacher also went around to each kid and expounded on something that he was thankful for about each student. It was really beautiful to see the kids respond. You could tell that some of these kids might never hear it at home. E's class had a feast of snacky things but the teacher changed the time of when they were going to do it so I missed it! Boo. But I still stopped in and grabbed a pic of her and her teacher who J had in first grade too. We love her!

• Thanksgiving day was cold and rainy, but still a really good day and Den's parents. I made the annual cheese ball turkey ( i don't make the cheese ball, i just turn it into a turkey), dolls joined in on the fun, and V and Joash were said to look like the E trade babies as they sat in their high chairs. We dropped into a couple other family drop ins later that night and it was so good to see everyone.

• Then on Friday I decided it was time to say goodbye to someone. I have an issue with holding on to the past. But I believe in personal growth and saying goodbye was a big step for me. Van didn't quite understand.

"Why mommy? Why?!?!?"

"Because it's time, my love. It's time"

"I still don't understand."

Goodbye James....we had some good times. I still have small mementos of you hear and there; magnets, a picture, your 3 films. But I can no longer have you cluttering my life. Farewell.

Take a moment and wipe your eyes if you need to. Okay, ready to move on?

• Friday night Den and I built the tree and put on our sad little lights. EVERY strand was only lighting up halfway. Odd. Part of me wonders if it's not our electricity. Saturday we decorated.

• Also on Saturday we had our own turkey dinner. A simple menu of turkey, stuffing, and baked sweet potatoes. We also broke out the china and the sparkling grape juice. Nothing was actually broken. The bird was beautiful and deeelish...thanks dad for the tips!

• In closing our two youngest crack us up. It's so fun to see their personalities come out when they are young. Dennis took these two pictures.

um....can you say perfect baby bum? However I must admit that I'm a little reminded of George Costanza.

Dennis said when he first saw V like this, he was snuggled up with his cheek on the Millennium Falcon. He moved while Den went to get the camera.

*this post is dedicated to my dearest Carla who gave me James many moons ago....