Ice Skating

Although the temperatures are making it feel like summer around here, we are still trying to pretend it's wintery and cold! We headed to Old Town this morning for some ice skating, hoping to beat the heat and the crowds.

 They did well and had a lot of fun. Afterwards, we walked around Old Town for a while, got some root beer and coffee, and enjoyed a beautiful morning outside!

Christmas Day 2013

Even though the kids are growing up, there is nothing like seeing the joy on their faces on Christmas morning!

 My parents go above and beyond!!

 

 We insisted that the kids open each gift one at a time so that we could see everything.

Cooper got video games, clothes, gift cards...

 but his big surprise was a new ipad!

 Zoe got gift cards, clothes, bath and body stuff, perfume...

 but her big surprise was a new laptop!

Bobbie enjoyed the wrapping paper...

Joe and I got spoiled with clothes, jewelry and gift cards. And I got a new cookie skillet, which I can't wait to use!

 Everyone was happy opening gifts and sharing in the joy...

My parents decided to get a fun family gift this year and got a paddle board for us to use in the bay! I can't wait!

 The rest of the day was spent hanging out, setting up the new "toys" and eating lots of food!

 Lots of family showed up throughout the day, people coming and going at different times. I'm so bummed we didn't get any family pictures all day long!
Sonya and Morgan were there for a while too and he had fun opening his gifts. He sure is getting big and it's fun to watch him running around. Zoe was great with him and kept him busy the whole time!

 After an early dinner we headed back home for the rest of our Christmas. Santa came!

 Cooper got a keyboard case for his new iPad and Zoe got a new gel nailpolish kit.

 They opened lots more gifts and were happy kids!

 Coop got some lacrosse gear...

 and Zoe got a musical Nutcracker...

I can't express how grateful I feel today.  The gifts were incredible, but the real blessings are the time that we get to share together, the love we have between each other, that we are healthy, employed, and our needs are met. God is good and we are humbled by our blessings.
Merry Christmas!!

Christmas Eve

We all woke up excited this morning, for one of our favorite days of the year. The kids each opened up their ornaments: a Clara and Nutcracker for Zoe, and a phone for Cooper.

 They also opened up their gifts to each other and then we watched the Santa Clause movie before heading to Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at church. We saw lots of friends and enjoyed our favorite service of the year!
We made it to Mimi and Gramp's house in time for the beautiful sunset and view of Catalina Island.

 We spent time visiting and just hanging out together!

 My mom always puts out an amazing spread of food!

 On to dessert!

 

 Zoe was happy with her plate of macarons. :)

 It was a nice night with good food and family!

Holiday Fun!

We've been short on time this month to try to do everything we like to do in the month of December. We've squeezed in as much as we can though and in our "spare" time, we've tried to keep up with our traditions.
We picked out our tree and decorated...

 and spent time cuddling with the puppies...

Clyde the Elf was back this year for more fun and mischief...

We made peppermint milkshakes as often as we could...

and decorated a gingerbread house with Zippy's help!

We made and decorated sugar cookies...

We also managed to make some homemade ornaments for the tree, have a movie night with hot chocolate and popcorn stringing, a family game night, shop for and donate some gifts for children in need, do advent calendars, fill the playroom with paper snowflakes hanging from the ceiling, have a sleepover in the family room with the Christmas tree, and drive around and look at Christmas lights (even with our crazy dogs in the car!) We didn't get to everything on our list, but we still managed to do what we could. The month has flown by and we can't wait to celebrate!