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

Thanksgiving Break

 My dad is awesome and installed this playhouse/fort/slide in the basement.

The boy table.

I think Loren was 9 days overdue in this picture.

Just today she gave birth to almost 10 lb Jackson (2 weeks late).

Bless her heart.

Was so sad he wasn't born while we were there.

A. I'm still obsessed with my parents winter grass. They don't make grass like that in Monterey.

B. Thanksgiving night there were 15 kids (make that 16 if you include Cole) sleeping at my parents house. Rachel & Jacob were nice to have Bob and Owen stay at their house.

C. I made green bean casserole. Such an easy assignment and I failed it with very undercooked fresh green beans. I used the recipe on the Trader Joe's french fried onions can. The flavor was so good, it was such a bummer I didn't boil the green beans first. Good thing there was back-up.

D. All of us were at Thanksgiving except Tami's husband Jay, who was home recovering from surgery.

E. And we all get along. Except when Jared bugs me and I bug Brent.

F. Thanksgiving Day was my nephew Bob's birthday. We celebrated with a turkey piñata that Tami's girls had made.

G. I'm so bugged that all the best Black Friday deals happened on Thanksgiving Day. But I guess not bugged enough to boycott the shopping. Went to Walmart with Errin and Karen and got some good deals.

H. It took us 13 hours to get to AZ and 12 to get home. It was worth it, but I'm in no hurry to do that drive again anytime soon.

I. How had I never been to Bass Pro Shops before? Apparently it's the place to see Santa in AZ (free pictures with a nice Santa who wasn't phased by crying children) and just a fun place to explore in general.

J. August loves my dad. He's fine w/most people. But he literally jumped out of my arms when my dad was nearby. Multiple times.

K. My parents are the best. My mom was talking about all the things that wouldn't have happened if my dad wasn't there for Thanksgiving, but the same goes for her. They are amazing.