Christmas in LA

We loved our Christmas in California! And I was extra excited when I found out that 3 of us 4 siblings would be there with our families! Sadly, Michael and Laura's family had to cancel their trip at the last minute due to horrible snow, (darn!) but we still loved being there and were glad that Adam and Steph made it there with baby Lincoln.

Anyway, the car ride was kinda long because we didn't leave until the afternoon of the 23rd, but we finally got there late that night and the kids were in absolute heaven with grandparents, new Christmas decorations, and a new baby cousin. We finally got them to sleep and then on Christmas Eve all the real fun began. Seriously - in so many ways Christmas Eve is even more fun than Christmas. :)

We started out the day hanging out and then doing what I grew up doing on Christmas Eve - going to the Hermosa Beach pier to hang out on the big sand hill. Some other people there let us borrow their disc sled and it was a big hit with the kiddos - especially Matthew! The weather was beautiful. I love being at the beach during Christmas time!

After lunch we threw the kids in the bath while Joshua got his first haircut from Grandma! So cute!!! I have NO idea how to cut his hair because his hair is different from Matthew's and Michael's hair. Michael and Matthew both have the kind of hair that just requires clippers. Joshua's, however, is smoother and softer and would do better with scissors. I tried to watch what my mom was doing so I could repeat it at home but cutting hair isn't something that comes naturally to me. He might have some awful haircuts before I get the hang of it. Ha!

He looked older and so handsome!

My kids were both EXHAUSTED so they both took a quick nap (which is basically a miracle since naps for them don't happen anymore) and then we went to the Galleria Mall for a a cool virtual sleigh ride to the North Pole to see Santa. Um, WAY cooler than just standing in a long line to see Santa. We loved it!

Our final Christmas Eve excursion was after our delicious dinner. We headed to the LA temple to see the lights. I have always loved doing this, and now I especially loved how NOT crowded it is at this temple - a HUGE difference from the Mesa Temple lights, which is SO crowded the entire month.

And then we had some goodies and headed back to let the kids open a present. This year they got bath robes.

And all the grandkids that were there on Christmas Eve:

It took a while to get Little Miss Insomniac Kate the sleep that night, (ha) but eventually all the kiddos were asleep and Santa came!

Christmas morning was magical as always. Kate took FOREVER to wake up (that tends to happen when you're 2 and going to sleep SO late) but eventually we got her up and let them go check out what Santa brought them. Kate had asked for a baby doll and Matthew had asked for play doh, and they both got what they hoped for... plus plenty more. ;-)

Santa didn't forget Joshua either!

A few more pics from Christmas morning:

I got Kate an Ariel shirt, and my mom got me one!!!! I was so excited about how perfectly that worked out!

The rest of the day we hung out, played Christmas Bingo, and my mom babysat while I went with the guys to go see the new Star Wars. And I actually liked it! :-)

The rest of the weekend was spent enjoying family, making another trip to the beach, and eating lots of good food. 

And then on Sunday baby Lincoln was blessed! I was so glad we were able to be there for that.

We headed home after Sacrament Meeting. And I was sad to go. It was so great to be able to experience again the Christmas that I had all growing up and watch my kids enjoy it too.

December Happenings

Oh my goodness, we went all out on the Christmas activities this year. I can't help it when my kids are at SUCH a fun age. I am trying to soak in every minute of holidays with little kids. It is such a blast.

We started the month off by making a gingerbread house. Oh man, Joshua wanted to eat it even more than the older kids did!

Showing off their Christmas tattoos. (candy canes this time) Funny how something so small brought them so much joy. These tattoos came off super duper easily (YAY - and why aren't they all like that?) so they'd ask for a new one every day.

Nightly walks to go see all the Christmas lights in our neighborhood. We live in the best neighborhood where SO many people put out fun stuff to look at - and not just lights. Disney characters, giant snow globes, animals, etc etc. We sure loved our nightly walks.

In Queen Creek this neighborhood goes ALL OUT - seriously almost every house decorates like CRAZY. It's called the Loop of Lights and people from all over come to walk through it. They even close off street traffic on weekends! Kate's favorite house was the one with a Cinderella display and Matthew's was the Rudolph house. And of course we all loved the most famous house in the Loop of Lights, which is the one where they have the lights synchronized with Christmas songs. They even serve popcorn since they attract SO many people most nights.

We went to see the Mesa Temple lights too. One of my favorite traditions! We went once as a family and I went with the YW as well. It's almost always super crowded, but it's fun anyway. Kathy and Don joined us this year.

Christmas cookies! Yum! (While watching The Grinch of course.)

The kids seemed to pretty much always be begging for a Christmas treat. This sight wasn't uncommon and makes me laugh-

Our community does an annual Polar Express and we signed up this year. The kids met Santa, played in the "snow," (crushed up ice, ha) decorated gingerbread boys, jumped in the bounce house, met some fun characters, and participated in other random fun activities. They loved the snow so much that we were excited to take them to the real snow. Well, that didn't go as well.... but that's a post for another day. HA.

Kate was really into Frosty this year so this made her day. Matthew was more into the treats Frosty was carrying. :-)

We DID get slowed down a bit with illness... :-( ..... ear infections and mild flus. Lame! Matthew broke out into that terrible rash again after being on antibiotics. But it's not an allergy to the antibiotics because it goes away while he is still on them. The doctor said that it's most likely a rare condition where he breaks out into a rash after a bacterial infection. It's just his body's reaction to it. Let's hope he grows out of it. It's no big deal and not contagious, but it's still no fun!

Kate wanted a bandaid for her ear after getting an ear infection. It was symbolic. ;-)

This was before it even got bad:

The boys started wrestling more and more. It cracks me up how much Joshua already loves it.

I kinda sorta love all the ways to make my kids looks Christmas-y. :-)

Kate had a dance performance where she dressed up as winter/Christmas stuff. She was the cutest little snow fairy!

Amazon was our friend this month. The kids got so excited every time a package turned up. They learned quickly that it was most likely a present for one of them in there. :-)

Me and Michael got out for a date night to our friends house- the Allen's. They threw a super fun Ugly Sweater/Minute To Win It Christmas party. We loved it. Michael didn't have an actual sweater, but at least we tried? ;-)

And then we were off to CA for Christmas!