Counting Down

 

Drew was just about in tears when at bedtime I told him he had to wait until tomorrow NIGHT to open his one Christmas Eve present (verses first thing in the morning like he would prefer). The suspense is killing him.

And then there's Sally who finished off her entire chocolate advent calendar a few days ago, thinking that'd hurry Christmas up. Cause when the chocolate are gone, Christmas is here. Right?

And now that I've got presents wrapped, I'm okay with Christmas coming, too.

But until then we've kept busy with bike rides, present guessing, another Christmas party, plenty of Christmas movies, and a San Diego Temple light trip.

 Jones is manly enough to ride the girl bike.

 Nope, not Christmas morning.

Just excited to see some presents under the tree after getting home from school/preschool.

 PJ's and candy lips due to preschool Polar Express party.

 

 Another Santa.

Owen is probably too big to be sitting on his lap.

 Cookie decorating at the party.

This party was held at the Army and Navy Academy in Carlsbad.

It was sponsored by a church in Oceanside.

The last few years they've done service for homeless people,

but this year they wanted to do something nice for military.

I'm grateful, but feel guilty!

They were so generous.

 Owen was one happy kid when he came home from the party with a new BB gun and safety goggles.

(They had asked us in advance for gift suggestions for the kids).

Then today...

They are just too fast stripping out of their church clothes.

I've been hoping for some sort of Christmas card picture all month.

And so far this is the best I've got.

But this is pretty much them...

Angry Birds shirt, undershirt, tattoos that won't wash off, and all.

Merry almost Christmas!

The Christmas Story

Our Christmas Eve nativity re-enactment needs a human star after seeing this video.

The cutest.

Help

 There's help...

And then there's "help."

We Partied

 This is what a military Christmas party looks like.

 Mrs. Claus has good taste in fast food.

 They all still believe.

 

 Free face painting and air-brushed tattoos (which they all got multiples of).

Add in some fun raffle prizes (didn't win any), company contests,

and an unappetizing holiday dinner and we had ourselves a party.

Christmas Card Window Shopping

I love Christmas cards.

And if I had one kid,

whose name was Drew, 

I'd be sending out that top right one to all of you.

It's Here

And just like that it's Christmas-time.

Game 1

He may have attempted a shot on the wrong basket and got an assist for the other team.

But those 2 points are his.

The Front Yard

 

 Remember that one time I planted watermelon seeds and those yellow flowers grew instead?

And how I thought for the longest time that those flowers were watermelon blossoms?

And now they're dead and ugly and someone should do something about that.

Oh wait, Sally is.

But I'm afraid all her watering isn't going to help.

 It is not baseball season.

In fact, this was the day of Owen's first basketball game.

I looked out the front window to see both boys in full uniform playing in the middle of the street.

He keeps hoping Cole's old batting gloves will fit.

Graveside Service

  The kids each chose a flower from one of the graveside floral arrangements.

Owen reminds me so much of Justin in this picture with the hand in pocket and serious smile.

 Maybe not your typical generations picture.

These pictures are all from the graveside service for Justin's Grandpa Webb.

He was a WWII vet so he got a proper military burial.

Justin's dad, aunt, and uncle agreed that they wanted Justin to have the flag.

Such an honor. It means a lot to him.

At 97, Grandpa lived a long life.

It was a blessing for him to move on.

I didn't know him well but I liked hearing stories about him at the funeral.

And I know Justin will miss him...he's always said he's one of his heroes.

 This is the last generations picture we have with Grandpa alive.

He was 93.

After the funeral, we went to the church so Troy (Justin's little brother) could be ordained an Elder.

He's going to Mexico for his mission in January.

Wish we got a picture with him.

But we did get one more generation one with all the boys (August was sleeping at the graveside).

So glad everything worked out for us to be there for both of these events.

Happy for Grandpa and proud of Troy.

Post Edit:

A picture from the luncheon the church put on right after the funeral.
Cousins table.