Merry Christmas!

This year my parents had the cabin over Christmas and so we spent Christmas in Tahoe.  It was absolutely wonderful.  The week before we were all sick with the flu and lots of school was missed, but we got well just in time for the holidays.
There was some snow when we got to the cabin, but not much.  But then on Christmas Eve it started to snow and kept snowing through bits of Christmas Day.  It was so beautiful.  I love listening to snow falling.  It is such a magical and quiet sound.  The cabin was so cozy and we were able to do our fun Christmas Eve traditions by the fire.  My girls love Christmas Eve.  It is almost more exciting than Christmas Day.  They get to open new pajamas and the gifts that they gave each other.  We eat yummy food, sing, read the nativity, and read a Christmas picture book.   After we did all of our little traditions we played a game to wind down before falling asleep.
The girls were so sweet and grateful about everything.  Every Christmas seems to be the best one yet. A couple of days before Christmas,  we went sledding at a snow park because there wasn't much snow around the cabin yet and we all had a great time but got a little bruised.  Sledding can be dangerous!  Abby was the most adventurous and said to me, "Mom, I feel like I just can't stop sledding!"  That girl has more energy than all of us combined.  Then we ate dinner at the pizza place we go to every time we visit.  Such a wonderful and magical Christmas.

Ice Skating

Who knew that my kids were such great ice skaters?  On Christmas Eve we went to an indoor rink.  It was starting to get really cold that day in Tahoe and the rain was turning into snow flurries.  After one time around they all took off, especially Abby.  She hardly took a break and didn't want to leave.  Joey and I sat this one out and let Grandma and Grandpa enjoy the ice with the kids.

Family Pictures

We had a few pictures taken by a friend for our Christmas card this year.  We hurried to get these done with all of our busy schedules.  I just ran through our closets pulling together clothes that looked good together.  They turned out great even though I was extremely tired that day.  I just told him, "I only need one good one for the Christmas card."  But we lucked out and got a few good ones. 

So much to do...

Coming home from a wonderful Christmas had me thinking about the past month.  We had a wonderful Christmas and I will get to all the fun we had.  But for now, there are decorations to be taken down and routines to get back into.  I don't think anyone was excited about waking up this morning...except maybe Olivia.  She was excited to go to school to wear her new clothes.  A true sign of growing up I think. 

And Calvin is missing my parent's dog, Buster.  They are good pals.  Calvin has been moping around not knowing what to do without another dog.  He sits at the back door just looking outside, hoping a cat will come into the yard to chase.  Joey insists that this is not a good reason to get another dog.  I agree, but I can't help but feel a little sorry for him after so much fun with Buster.

"I Knew it Was Going to Be Me"

Abby was chosen by her teacher as the Student of the Month for November.  I asked Abby if she was surprised that it was her.  She casually said, "No, I knew it was going to be me."  I was trying not to laugh at her confidence. Then she added, "Because I've been trying really hard not to talk and my teacher always says, 'Everyone look at how Abby is doing it.' "
Abby has been trying really hard at school and I love when she recites all of her classroom rules in a chant just like they do at school.
Rule 1!
Follow Instructions Quickly
Rule 2!
Raise your hand for permission to speak
 Rule 3!
Raise your hand for permission to leave your seat
Rule 4!
Make Smart Choices
Rule 5!
Keep your teacher happy

Working off that Turkey Dinner

On Friday, we went and ventured to do a little shopping.  We first stopped at the Oakland Temple grounds.  It could not have been a prettier day.  It was just perfect and a welcome pick me up to see the temple and feel peace.  Then off to Walnut Creek to go to the bookstore and get some yummy gelato.  We mostly just looked at things and enjoyed being out and about with the shoppers.

Thankful

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with Joey's parents.  We drove up on Wednesday and stayed until Sunday morning.  The girls enjoyed seeing Grandma's house and the weather was beautiful.  I love Joey's parents house.  It always so comfortable and full of happy little things; candy jars and treats and word art.  Jackie made such a tasty feast for us. 

I am so blessed and grateful.  I have much to be grateful for.  For love, family, the Gospel, motherhood, friends, a body.  I am grateful that I get to be here and present.  That I can be with my family, and see beautiful places and things.  That I get to see my kids smiling and laughing, and that I get to see them grow.  Life changes so fast from one season to the next and I am enjoying the one I am in. 

 

The girls drew on Jackie's chalkboard door before we left in the morning.  Some Grandmas are just so fun.

Yee-Haw!

Today is Cowboy day.  Another fun Kindergarten dress-up day.