Christmas Day

It was a whirlwind of food, family and presents. L1 continued his tradition of having earaches while we are away from home.


He woke up around 10pm Christmas Eve sobbing and clutching his ear. After a run to the nearest convenience mart for some children's Tylenol, he was able to sleep again.


And, of course, the opening of presents Christmas day were a good distraction.


The overriding theme for our kids were capes and Legos.


We spent the morning in Ventura with my family, then lunch with R1's family, and dinner that night at my aunt's house. It was wonderful to spend the day with everyone!

Christmas Eve at the beach

Perhaps my favorite holiday tradition is our Christmas Eve sunset watching at the beach. There are select few places where this tradition is even possible, so I feel lucky to have it.


This year is especially memorable because all of my brothers were home. I'm not sure when the last time was that we were all in California at Christmas.


Oh, and some guy brought his four goats to the beach for an evening frolic, too. They were quite nimble climbing out onto the jetty. But then, they would be, wouldn't they?


But what Christmas Eve tradition is a close second? The opening of the new PJ's, of course.

W1 and L1's favorite California activity.

When I asked W1 and L1 what their favorite part of our Christmas-time trip to California, they both quickly answered, "Riding the four wheeler!".

I should have known.

It does warm my heart a little bit that their answers didn't involve the receipt of presents. Perhaps we are doing something right. (Not giving them many presents?).

Every day we are there, they ask for that four wheeler ride.

And the best part is that Grandpa puts them to work gathering firewood, weeding, mowing the horse ring.

Quality cousin time.

While we were in California, R1's brother and his family drove from Washington state to see us.


We are so happy that they did! W1 and L1 were ecstatic to play with their cousins.


We spent a whirlwind two days eating, talking, laughing, and sightseeing.

The La Brea Tar pits.

The Griffith Observatory.


We must get these kids together more often!

Because we are too lazy/over-scheduled/busy/stressed to get our Christmas cards in the mail:

What R1 and W1 did Saturday afternoon.

H1 turns 2 years old.

Our celebration involved a breakfast-for-dinner of chocolate chip pancakes, eggs, and turkey sausage. All generously lathered with whipped cream (in some cases...). While wearing hand-me-down PJ's.


Ecstatic and surprisingly efficient present unwrapping.


Cake with candles. She didn't quite get the candles blown out, but at least she didn't spit on the cake (ahem, L1).


By the end, she was hopped up on sugar, smeared with chocolate ice cream, and thoroughly happy.

At 2 years:

Her most often repeated phrase: "My do it!"
Her favorite food: bagels with cream cheese
Her most requested book: Time for Bed
Her favorite activity: taking her clothes and diaper off and streaking around the house.
Her newest obsession: Frosty the snowman.
Her most played with toy: whatever W1 and L1 have that she can take away!