A month in review

Could this be a sign of what is to come. I have resorted to blogging a month at a time! Holidays, travel, babies...everything is moving so fast these days.

Our Christmas picture.

This year was not so great since we set a timer and did it ourselves. Seth was so helpful though. He loves saying cheese for the camera.

We decorated gingerbread trains. Actually, I think that the parents did most of the decorating because the kids spent most of the time eating off what we put on. Not to mention, it is hard for me to give up control of my "artistic creation" :) to a two year old...or even my husband:) These two were pretty excited about all the candy though.

Brandon and I took a trip one night to the temple to look at the temple lights. It was great to see how excited Seth got to see all the lights, the temple and the nativity scene.

Santa came through our neighborhood one evening. The LAPD pulls a Santa on a police sleigh through the neighborhoods around here. He stopped and allowed the neighborhood kids to gather while he and the other officers handed out candy canes. Seth would not take one from Santa, but was happy to take a candy cane from one of the officers.

Brandon surprised me with tickets to the San Francisco Ballet's production of The Nutcracker. Shae and Daren were able to join us on a double date into the city. We had a great dinner before the show (with the best pumpkin risotto I have ever eaten). The boys happily sat through the show, allowing Shae and I to relieve memories of going to this ballet as a kids. I loved having an evening together.

Shae also gets to share more than just a double date with me these days:) She and Daren announced on Christmas day to our whole family that they were expecting. Everyone in our house was SO EXCITED! She is due in July. I couldn't be happier about this. Even though she isn't showing yet we thought it would be fun to take belly shots!!

Christmas morning! Seth got so much stuff we could hardly haul it back home. It is way more exciting to watch him open presents than open my own. Now I know why my mom always waits until the end to open her own presents. She wants to watch all of us.

Brandon got me a gorgeous Willow Tree figurine of a mother and toddler. I loved it!

We spent at week in Chico visiting Brandon's family. It was so fun to all be together. We had 28 people together at once. Seth was one of 16 grandkids and loved being one of the pack. I swear he aged 5 years. He loves his cousins and fit right in.

The little ones made ornaments one evening.

We played game in the evenings after the kiddos were in bed (trust me, getting all the kids to bed was quite an accomplishment). Brandon made one of the longest games of Scotland Yard when he was Mr. X (he won). I think the game lasted about an hour. Yikes!

Seth just hanging out with his cousins!

We played the chimes one evening. I don't think that any talent agents will come knocking on our doors but it was fun.

Grandma telling the story of "The Orange" before she broke apart a chocolate orange for all the cousins and parents to share.

Sleep depravation could definitely sum up Seth's experience. He WILL NOT stay in a pack and play. He climbs out and crawls into the big beds, or just walks out into the living room long after we thought he was asleep. This is him after crawling out. I have many napping stories from this trip...one including him climbing out and letting loose my brother's crickets in my room, him telling me "Merry Christmas, babe," and me finding him eating our stash of travel food on our bed.

Grandpa led all the grandkids on a hike to Monkeyface (apparently a rock resembling a monkey). Seth wanted to hike all by himself.

Some of the grandkids before the hike.

One day was spent feeding the ducks.

Playing at Caper Acres Park

I am so thankful for families. It is wonderful to be apart of something big. My family (both sides) make me a better person and mother. It was a great holiday vacation.