Christmas Eve

This was Christmas Eve.

But not Christmas Eve night.

This was at 2 in the afternoon.

They had been awake since like 4 in the morning,

thinking they got to open their one Christmas Eve present then.

They had a long day of waiting.

And it was kind of a long day in general.

Justin started throwing up the night before so we had to cancel our little Christmas Eve party.

And he wasn't available to help w/kids while I worked (only 1/2 day but it was a crazy work day).

But once I was done working and they had their naps, things got better.

After pizza for dinner we did the nativity with just our family.

I was the narrarator, Mary, an inn keeper, and an angel.

Justin was a sick Joseph.

Sally, the star.

Drew, a wise man.

and Owen, a shepherd.

There were last minute-changes, so here's what I have pictures of:

The actual nativity made me happy.

I just told the story from memory and we went with it.

Then they opened their one present.

A pillow pet for August, footies for Drew and Sally, and a shirt for Owen.

We watched Rudolph.

(notice the nest Auggie made between Justin's legs)

Then left cookies for Santa.

And the stockings were hung.

(there are random nails on that brick wall and that's where the kids wanted them)

Countdown to Christmas

 The week before Christmas Justin went to Southern California to do another week in the reserves.

And apparently got the most amazing sunset during a run.

It was crazy town over here between work, school, and sickness.

There were some highlights, though.

 Candy Cane Lane for family night.

 He is rather obsessed with lights.

We had amazing sunsets here, too.

But sadly they were mostly from a huge fire in Big Sur.

 We went to the beach a couple nights to catch the sunsets.

This was on a cute path by Asilomar.

The night before we trespassed w friends onto the Pebble Beach golf course right by the ocean.

It was just way too inviting.

But we got caught.

Lucky we got away with just a lecture and not a $300 ticket.

 Drew was being a stinker one night so I sent him to sweep the front porch.

 And then Sally went and did it for him.

Sometimes they're nice.

 Justin was home by this point, but he stayed home with sick Drew

while we went back to Candy Cane Lane for yet another Santa.

This Santa came in on a motorcycle (we missed that part) and brought gifts from his Harley group.

Was SO bummed we had a sickie on Christmas Sunday.

Justin said we had the most amazing musical program in church.

Here are the 2 kids that went.

Owen doesn't look super festive, but it's a big deal when he wears a tie.

And this one does have little red stripes you can't see.

 The at home crew.

 I just liked his little shadow.

Later Sunday was gingerbread house making.

And for family night the next night they said they wanted to play tag.

I said we needed to do something Christmassy.

So they came up with Santa tag.

I've addressed Justin's love for Legos many times.

I do not approve of the castles he has on our kitchen shelves.

But the Christmas ones on the piano are fun.

Week in Review

 This week was performance week.

For Drew and Sally's school performance we had front row seats...on the balcony.

Drew was so proud that he didn't sing or do any actions.

He stood out major being on the front row.

And Sally sang her little heart out on the back row.

(the above picture is of her group)

Owen was happy only K-3 graders perform. He was off the hook.

Then there was the church Christmas party performance.

Short & sweet with 2 songs.

 Our ward Christmas party was a service project.

We bought gifts in advance for 20 local families in need.

At the party we wrapped them, and sorted out food for each family.

I was a little grinchy about this at first.

I couldn't wrap my head around how this was a family activity that would involve the little kids.

But it was really great and I was laughing hard when Drew randomly said,

"There's always time for a bow!"

At the time I thought he was really into accessorizing gifts,

but later learned it's a line from "Arthur Christmas."

 And now for the August/Justin picture of the week:

We have fire!

It comforted a sick August.

And kept Justin company while he had too many late nights studying/writing papers.

This was from Black Friday.
Justin bought Sally a Christmas present and the store was offering free wrapping.
This was the paper he chose.
He thought those were snowflakes, then realized too late that they were Stars of David.

Christmastime

Justin spent the weekend studying for finals.

The rest of us spent our Saturday freezing at Christmas in the Park and Streets of Bethlehem.

All of the above were from Christmas in the Park.

Free and low-key local party.

Streets of Bethlehem was in Salinas (no pictures).

A huge Baptist church set up their grounds to be like the streets of Bethlehem the day Jesus was born.

It was pretty awesome, but we went at the peak time and it was so crowded.

Also on Saturday...

We don't have the official rainbow loom, but my dad rigged us up one while we were in AZ.

I spent way too long making Owen that first starburst bracelet.

And August got witchy.

 

12/7/13

O Christmas Tree

 Thank you, Costco.

 "Ball!"

Tree skirt turned real skirt.

Thanksgiving Thanks

For the family night before Thanksgiving we did 2 activities where we went around naming things we were thankful for.

ABC of THANKSGIVING
(we went around a circle for this one, so not sure who said what)

A - Auggie
B - Braden (in Sally's kindergarten class)
C - coral
D - Drew
E - eggs
F - french fries
G - grapes
H - helicopters
I - ice cream
J - Justin
K - kinfolk
L - Legos
M - moths
N - nails, North "Cackalacky", nuts
O - Owen
P - penguin
Q - q-tips
R - rain
S - Sally, snakes
T - teeth, toothbrush
U - uncles
V - van
W - Wilmington (NC)
X - x-rays
Y - Yoda
Z - zoo, zebras, zizzer zazzer zuzz


5 SENSES

Sally
See: Friends
Touch: Abalones
Smell: Chocolate
Hear: Music
Taste: Macaroni

Owen
See: Pocket Knife
Touch: BB Gun
Smell: Flowers
Hear: Tweeting Birds
Taste: Kiwi

Drew
See: Snakes, Rodents, Lizards
Touch: Auggie's Blanket
Smell: Apples, Bananas, Oranges, Lemons
Hear: Rodents Scratching
Taste: Pizza, Apples

Justin
See: August
Touch: Skin, Soft Blankets
Smell: Rain
Hear: Rain Falling
Taste: Black Pepper

Shauna
See: Ocean/God's Creations
Touch: My Kids
Smell: Cinnamon Rolls
Hear: Quiet, Music
Taste: Watermelon