A few favorite toys this Christmas…
Minifante.
(The smaller version of Scout’s Elefante. Navy got “Elliot” the twin brother, and Pips got Elephan-teeny.)
Big Sush.
(This is the bigger sister to Sushi.)
Just look at the love.
Playing With Toys
Bubblegum
Think someone got into the bubblegum my mom got for Christmas?
Hooligan Crew
Back in the day, I was an awesome aunt.
I always had fun ideas.
There were times I sent them in to the store with $5, for them to get ingredients to add to Vanilla ice cream I would provide, and they had to create the best ice cream flavor.
I had them dress up like Michael Jackson and dance for $$$ the day he died.
There have been tons of scavenger hunts.
Tons of challenges.
Tons of games.
So now, when we all gather together, the pressure is on!
Especially because they are older now!
I think all of our expectations are really high.
Good thing my idea well hasn’t dried up quite yet.
Because “dance on the corner until you get a honk” was pretty funny!
Especially when Jon busted a move.
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But nothing topped the one thing that has eluded me my whole life.
Something I have always wanted to do, but never have tackled.
But all of us went in our suits, and headed to the DHHS pool, for a little late night dip.
Scout tried to climb the fence, but Cade found a better way for us all around the corner.
Good thing this strong guy lept up and over, and opened the door for all of us.
And then we all ran in and bombed the pool!
But then we heard noises, and all ran as fast as we could in the other direction!
And when I turned to see that we all ran into a dead end, I laughed so hard I wet my pants!
And in an attempt to escape, Jon and Navy and Scout started to climb.
As I called off the escape, Jon was long gone, and Navy was over to the other side.
Then Cade opened up the gate to the pool again and we all swam.
Until I yelled out “Where’s NAVY?”
We had lost her five minutes before, and Jon was back.
WE all ran out of the pool, as my heart went racing.
Good thing my smart little girl was waiting for us at the car.
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THe we headed to the Marriott where we all went in the hot tub.
And Scout scared a couple off by going right up to them and speaking Chinese.
He is quite the comedian!
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Then to McDonalds for ice cream cones.
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Honestly, we laughed so hard that night, we will never forget it.
Although my idea well isn’t dry yet, I am wondering if I should be a bit more cautious, now that I have my own kids in the game!
Rock Climbing Challenge
We always like to have a little fun the day after Christmas. This year, we headed to Big Air with the crew. It was its normal fun, but then came the Rock climbing challenge.
There is a rock wall (of which I don’t have a picture, but here is screen shot of the video I took) that all of the teenage boys and up started challenging on. Pound for Pound was cruising through it, and dominated. Until Cade got up, and barely beat his time. I think after all was said and done, and after many attempts from everyone, Ryan had the record until Cade got 23.11 seconds. By this time, Ryan had already laced up his shoes, and was ready to leave. But a bunch of us said they had $10 that Pound for Pound could get the record back.
Meanwhile, the guy there said he had never seen anyone do it as fast as this group.
And then to the excitement of everyone….and $50 on the line…pound for pound unlaced, stepped up to the bat, and dare I say…..
SLAUGHTERED
everyone!
Need I say….under 17 seconds!
BAM!
Christmas ‘14
There is no question that Christmas is my favorite day of the year. Getting gifts is fun. And giving gifts is great! But the real reason I LOVE Christmas, is that it’s the one day a year, that everyone all sits in the same room — off their phones — and we all just enjoy each others company. We laugh, crack jokes, play, eat, rest, open gifts…..and we all do it together….all day long!
So each year, we all vow to make it a lighter Christmas.
But if it’s up to me, it will never get lighter, because I like to be jammed in the same room without distractions until 10 at night!
Our amazing day in pictures follows:
My masterpiece.
Megan’s masterpieces!
She is AWESOME!
(My amazing gift from Micah — an eternal love book. I write the topic, and he writes me a love letter on that subject. And it included 6 to begin with!)
Excited kids!
Our annual pic with the woman who makes it all happen — Nonnie!
The best cousins!
Bikes for the big kids.
This was my favorite gift!
My kids literally never ask for anything specific. But this year, Dash had it in his mind that he wanted a go-cart just like “Butch the bad kid” in Little Rascals. And my awesome dad heard about it, and ordered and built on by hand for him. And then sent it off to Santa (AKA Tacky) to be painted.
Pips is the perfect copilot for Dash’s pride and Joy.
He loved it so much, we immediately took it outside for a spin!
Bella came bearing gifts.
Pips was in Heaven amongst the chaos.
Scout loved giving gifts this year!
Navy helped me wrap a bunch this year, and re-wrapped a bunch of Scout’s things for him to open. We cracked up every time when he said, “Oh…that’s where that went!”
Dash with his big ball, and Navy playing with her art stuff in the back.
Pips playing a little peak-a-boo.
Of course I am a sucker for hats.
Especially if they match!
These boys were taking mid-day rests on the bean bags.
I made my second annual cheese plate spread.
Scout got an AWESOME present — a basketball hoop!
Nonnie… you are the BEST!
Then this boy took more mid-day rests with B.
Pippi got spruced up by Bella.
I think she wanted her to live up to her name with those sideways ponytails!
These two played with the YoYo Scout gave Dash.
Scout is old enough to get joint father/son presents!
And he also got a lot of science experiments and spy stuff.
While Dash got a lot of trucks/cars and dress ups.
Navy got all things art and science experiments.
And the Pips –
She got a lot of wrapping paper and boxes — and a sound machine that she walked around with all day long.
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Merry Christmas to all….
And these Heroes
…especially want to thank the woman who made a lot of this possible…
Glad we could come up with this free SCOOP bag for you!!!
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How sad that it is another 365 days until we get a repeat of this amazing day.
Christmas Eve Day
I love our set up - Christmas with the Denisons on Christmas Eve Day, and Christmas Day with the Ures. It means two full days of Christmas….and is a blast. This year, our day with Grandma and Grandpa was fun as usual. The major hit was the sleeping bags that each of the kids got. I got a bunch of pictures, but every single one of them was blurry and terrible quality. The above pic — with the alien eyes and all — is the only one that was kind of okay.
This Christmas Eve Day, I have learned a great thing….IPhones are great when in a pinch.
But on important days like this, I should always have my good camera with me.
Nonetheless…it was a really fun day for all of us!
Weekend With Bella
Bella has my name for Christmas.
She called me up and asked if she could take my kids for the weekend for my Christmas present.
It would be a local vacation, in Huntington Beach at the Hyatt.
Uhhh…..there could not be a present I would love more!
So off they went…
The car ride.
Their accommodations.
Their amazing activity.
Their foggy fun at the beach.
Their poolside s’mores.
Their exhaustion setting in while they trekked from airport to airport while Jon’s plane was rerouted due to the fog.
Their buddy Jon finally got there!
Scout’s water-time with Jon.
Dash observed it all.
These kids had the best time ever! They came back with story after story after story. Clearly, it was a hit. And clearly, I hope she gets my name every year!
Because….all I have to say, is…
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME!
Gingerbread Chalets
This Sunday afternoon, we broke open the gingerbread chalets.
There were three groups working on them.
Group 1 - The Careful Perfectionists
Navy and Cade
Group 2 - The Finger-Sucking Sloppys
Scout and Seth
Group 3 - The In-Love Creatives
Bella and Dash
Honorary Group 4 - The Snot-Nosed Picture Takers/Cleaner Uppers
Mama and Pips
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The finished products.
I love this picture with Navy modeling in the background, Dash holding up his “I Love You” and Scout being as in the middle and up front as possible.
Nursery
This boy is going to really miss nursery. He has THE BEST nursery leader! Sister Edebiri is awesome! She makes it really fun for the kids, she is always organized, and she is always happy. Just look at the Christmas cookie set-up she put together for them! And the very best part of Sister Edebiri….she is in love with Dash! Every time I see her at church, she says, “I can’t believe he is going to leave me. He is the best thing about nursery.” I LOVE that she loves him.
And Dash’s take on Sister Ebebiri?
He says, “She is my church angel.”
Still Sick
Day three….and still sick.
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