A VERY, MERRY CHRISTMAS

We spent Christmas this year in Northern California

with the Grigg's!

The first day there was absolutely beautiful!

Oh how we love California!

The boys decided to take the two older girls golfing...

Look at that swing!

Jason enjoys showing off his girls form...

Golfing form, that is.

We met up with some of our super duper close friends from good ol' San Jose.

Kat and her new husband moved right next door to Scott and Marie!

We left and went to dinner at our favorite kid friendly joint, Red Robin.

Raegan did not want to do anything but ice skate...

hence, the pout.

Gotta love my funny, hot man!


Finally...
we made it to Christmas in the Park!
famous for hundreds of lit and decorated trees, yummy food and their outdoor ice rink

We met up with a few more friends
and watched while Jas had the privilege of teaching the girls to skate.
I had a good excuse!


The girls absolutely love to ice skate.
I particularly like how well they get along when it's just them!
They had so much fun together and with the family.


Seriously...
it was like ice skating in snow.
They should have gone sledding.
But the girls didn't mind...

It had been two years since Kylee last ice skated.
She picked it up really fast and before you knew it
was all over the place.
She had a few spills but that didn't slow her down!


Raegan was fast as lightning!
I could barely get a picture of her...

Honestly! Look how deep the snow is! HA!

This was Jaida's first time sledding...
I mean skating!
Jason pretty much carried, pulled and dragged her the whole way.
But she had fun...
wish I could say the same for dad!


I think everyone was cold and exhausted
when the clock struck midnight and the rink closed.
Good thing for hot cocoa!


Returning the recycled shoes was quite
unappetizing...
the window to the hot box was suddenly opened to give them their shoes back
when all of a sudden a wall of thick, warm, muggy, sweaty, smelly gym sock aroma
hit you like a car hitting a wall!
We went home and sanitized their feet!

The next day was Christmas Eve!
Amy and I did some last minute shopping...
Grandma did some cooking...


After dinner we all sat down and watched
"Home Alone"
which is a Christmas Classic!

The girls were looking a bit sleepy
so we decided to end the festivities with our traditional agenda!

The girls had been practicing the nativity

their own little version

and put on an adorable performance that consisted of Mary,

Baby Jesus and two Angels. (?)

A beautiful rendition of "Holy Night", "Away In A Manger" and "I am A Child of God" (?) were performed as well as a few lines exchanged.

It was adorable.

Especially the blanket made costumes!

We also had the traditional opening of ONE gift...

Jammies, ofcourse!

Threw magical, sparkly reindeer food...

Left a plate of cookies, milk and note for Santa...

and went to bed!

The next morning, Jas and I awoke...

or more like, I woke up and woke everyone else up!

to a beautiful surprise.

We always make the kids wait down the hall before the raid

so we can take pictures before the mayhem!

They wait patiently...

and then the mad crazy rush begins...

Santa brought the girls Beach Cruisers!!!

We couldn't believe it.

The most beautiful blue and mint green bikes you ever did see.

Just what the girls had wanted.

Jaida got a pillow pet...

an adorable, fluffy, grey elephant.

Stocking candy, make up and jewelry covered the floor as phase two begins...

The girls opened gifts from mom and dad, grandma's and grandpa's and aunts and uncles.

Grandma and Grandpa Hawaii sent each girl stuffed animals that were so big you could hardly see Jaida when she held it!

They also gave the girls new sweats with jackets and black fuzzy boots.

Grandma and Grandpa Griggs gave the girls their very own digital cameras!

There was a lot of paper everywhere

but the girls were really patient watching respectfully as everyone opened their gifts.

I know... I know...

I like to drag out the fun as long as possible

AND I like the girls to see the expressions on your loved ones faces when you surprise them with something meaningful.

Even Macy had a great time!

After the madness was over

the girls took their new bikes for a spin!

Santa really came through for us this year...

I believe.

Our last day in Northern California

was celebrated at a delicious fish house!

The girls enjoyed clam chowder in bread bowls

and I devoured fish n chips!

Our favorite meal time game

otherwise known as either the "staring game" or "laughing game"

had us all rolling with laughter!

Jaida was by far the best.

She had the most amazing facial expressions

that made us all bust a gut!

She would not crack a smile

or blink.

Poker face.

Our last night there, J and I challenged Grandma and Grandpa

to a little game of Texas Hold 'Em!

It was so much fun playing cards with them!

I can see it becoming our nightly ritual when we visit...

It was a beautiful Christmas shared with Jason's family.

We truly had a wonderful and relaxing time

and are thankful for the opportunity to go!