Christmas 2011

I hoped to get this in before the New Year but alas....here we are. We had a good Christmas. I was thankful that my family could come and be willing to travel and squeeze into our home. The one bathroom situation went surprisingly well and that's enough to call their visit a success! Extra special to see my brother and his son Knox (it had been a year!).

Cutting down the chosen tree.

Christmas Cactus bloom

Love this kid!

They wanted to play restaurant. E and V got dressed up and Jesse was the waiter.

My cookie helper.

Best. Snowflakes. Ever.

Loved our tree this year.

Hanging with grandpa.

Jesse completed the D.A.R.E. program at school and this was my view.

Celebrated my man's 38th.

Went for a wagon walk.

Cousin bonding.

Eating.

And more eating.

More bonding over books.

Rare family shot.

Christmas Eve at Den's parents, the girls.

J and Ethan read the Christmas story.

The cousins sang (we made them be spiritual before they could open presents).

Christmas morning.

I saw this Urban Essence du rag and knew that my brother HAD to have it.

You can see I was right.

Scooter!

Christmas PJ's.

Christmas Card Outtakes

= why there is rarely a group pic of my kids....i think if I REALLY want this I should hire a professional.

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.