Christmas

Here's the holiday roundup:

23 December:
The USO had a Christmas dinner for the families who didn't go home for Christmas. Some of Lance's friends came too. It was really fun! They had a whole feast planned, which we weren't expecting, complete with appetizers, turkey, ham and all the trimmings. After dinner they had a raffle. Lance won a basket of bath salts, which they let him trade for a gift card. I won a stuffed bear.

24 December:
Christmas Eve and we weren't sure what to do with ourselves. We did some shopping for Christmas dinner and cleaned the house for awhile. For dinner we tried to use a coupon for a free pizza, but the franchise we went to wouldn't accept it. Luckily, across the street was a wonderful place called Five Guys Burgers. Very yummy but an unusual Christmas Eve dinner. Then we met Allan's family at the DC temple for the festival of lights. We watched the sister missionaries perform a short concert at the visitor's center and then walked around to watch the lights. It was cold so we all went to IHOP for some chocolate milk.

We said good bye to Allan and Amy around 10pm. Instead of going home Lance started driving towards downtown DC. I've been wanting to see the monuments at nighttime and Lance decided that since we were already close to them we should seize the opportunity. We started at the Lincoln monument walked to the Washington monument and back again. Although cold, I think it was one of the most romantic Christmas Eves I've ever had. We also walked to the edge of the Potomac which had a band of frozen ice across part of it. The ice was really amazing, as the river ran under the ice it made a tinkling sound like bells. Lance took an awesome picture of the river at 1 am but it looks like day in the picture.


The Festival of Lights at the DC Temple with Allan and Amy's family.


The Festival of Lights. The Capital building at night.



The Washington monument.



The Lincoln and Korea memorials.


The frozen Potomac at 1 am

25 December:
Christmas morning was great, we even woke up to a light snow! Of course since we went to bed ridiculously late we didn't wake up until about 10am. We opened our presents before our friends came over for the day. I know Christmas isn't about what you get, but it sure did make it feel like our family was a little closer. After presents Lance went and picked up our friends to come hang out with us for Christmas. We had lots of fun playing games on the Kinect. Dinner was fantastic with ham, potatoes, and even green beans. To complete the evening we watched the Muppet Christmas Carol and had cinnamon rolls for desert. Wonderful Christmas Day!



Digging into our stockings. Yeah, a warm scarf for Christmas!



Thanks Wendy for the hats, love them! I must be rich and famous 'cuz I got my favorite towels!




Lance holding my bear that I won. Kayley loves the wrapping paper.


We got our friends presents too. A nice Christmas dinner.


Yep, it's my Jello Jiggler nativity.

cat toys

Kayley really wants someone to pick up her toy. she's so funny.

since we're in DC we thought we'd check out the monuments. Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Eve

This has been an interesting Christmas Eve. We spent most of the day making cinnamon rolls and cleaning. For dinner we ended up going to a yummy burger place. This evening we met Allan and Amy at the temple to see the festival of lights. We watched a short concert of the singing sister missionaries. afterward we had some hot cocoa at Ihop with everyone.

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Sacramento

Cutest video of Gwen and Cora dancing at the party!



Well, now that I'm back from California I think I need to recap. And add some pictures. I went to Sacramento to celebrate Grandma B's 90th Birthday and see all the family gathered there. Lance and Kayley stayed home to hold down the fort, at least the part where our house is.

I left last Wednesday and, after a long boring flight, arrived in San Diego. Wendy, Wayne and their girls came to the airport to pick me up. It was so great to see my sister! I stayed at Grandma's house along with Aunt Carolynn.

The next morning I woke and Aunt Carolynn explained Grandma's dear friend Ginger was coming from Arizona to surprise Grandma. When Ginger arrived at the house I grabbed the camera to try and capture the joy on their faces. That was an amazing moment. Later that day I went with Wendy and Wayne to take the girls to Fairytale Town. Aunt Carolynn came with us too. For those who don't know what Fairytale Town is I'll summarize. It's an amazing playground-type mini theme park where all the slides and climbing structures are modeled after fairy tales. The park is 51 years old and hasn't had any extreme make overs, but that's part of the fun. My family used to go there often when we were in Sacramento and it still looks almost the same, except that all the slides seem to have shrunk.

Gwen and Cora loved all the slides. It was fun to watch them; Cora absolutely had to do anything that Gwen did. They especially enjoyed the garden where they could fill up water cans and water the plants. Cora didn't quite understand the purpose of the pouring spout, she just dumped her can upside down to water the plants.


Ginger and Grandma. Aunt Carolynn with Cora and Gwen.


On our way to Fairytale Town.


The little engine that could. Wendy sliding down the rabbit hole.



Climbing on Mother Goose. Cora looking like the cute little doll she is.


Walking the crooked mile, we loved running this as kids! Mary's little lamb at the school house.


Cora watering the garden

Friday was Grandma B's birthday. Since we were using the church multipurpose room we had to go early to set up. Most of the Uncles, Aunts and Cousins arrived on Thursday night. Friday morning at the church was a great time to see all of them. Finally in the evening came the big event--Grandma's Birthday Celebration. Wendy put rag curlers in Gwen's hair. Gwen started crying about it so I let her put some in my hair too and I wasn't allowed to take them out for a couple of hours. Our family had a dinner before the rests of the guests arrived. Cousin Katie helped make a book of all Grandma's Children and Grandchildren. After dinner more friends came and of course our family had a musical program for Grandma. I played a simple but sweet piano version of Steal Away. Gwen and Cora gave a fantastic dance performance. Ben, Mom and Josh made a great trio on the violin, flute and mandolin. All of us grandchildren sang "Grandma Got Ran Over by a Reindeer" and then joined the Aunts and Uncles in ruining "The Sound of Music." All of the Aunts and Uncles had their chance at performing as well. What a fun night to sing, laugh and celebrate. After the performance we all enjoyed cake with Grandma. Afterward, Wendy, her girls, mom, Aunt Carolynn and I drove around looking at Christmas lights. A very full day!



The little girls were confused about their two Grandmas. Gwen curling my hair for the party.


Ben, Mom and Josh playing



Gwen and cora dancing. Grandma looking at the photo book she received.



Ruining the Sound of Music with poinsettia back up dancers. All the family attending.


Grandma playing for us. Me playing Steal Away


A full house at the part. The cousin's kids (second cousins?) enjoyed playing together.


Saturday we all headed over to Old Town Sacramento for a little shopping and some lunch. Wendy and Wayne stayed a little longer than expected and were able to join us for the morning and lunch. I love walking around Old Town, I think out of all the "Old Towns" that I've been to it's my favorite. After window shopping we all gathered at Round Table for lunch before everyone started to part ways.We spent some of the evening looking at Christmas lights, after Mom taught us some hand towel movements that go along with "When Joseph Went to Bethlehem."



Saturday morning with everyone crammed at Grandma's. Ben getting into the hand towel song.




At Old Town Sacrament



Mom at the capital and state Christmas tree. Me at a neighborhood light display

By Sunday there was only me, my mom, Ben and Josh left. We spent most of the time recuperating after church. Ben and I took some time to go see my dad too. It was fun to play the wii with him and play with Pepper. By Monday I was more than ready to come home to see Lance--with a suitcase full of presents!! Lance and I have been a bit worried about Christmas. Since it's our first one out on our own we've been concerned about feeling alone. We tried to plan out something fun to do so we'd have and activity to look forward to, but we've still been sad about our empty little Christmas tree. Well, we are worried no longer! While in Sacramento both of our families gave us more than enough gifts and extra love to make an amazing Christmas. We can't wait until Christmas morning.

One of the cute pictures from yesterday. Cora's a cute one!