Christmas time {in a nutshell}

THE EVE

Making oatmeal chocolate chip cookies for Santa.






Santa called when we were at Mimi and Papa's...




Setting out cookies for Santa. You like how Santa's magic is already coming down the chimney?



THE DAY OF

Christmas Dinner {with more presents} at Uncle Bob's and Auntie Sheryl's



Getting help from Auntie Sheryl


with Tim





with Uncle Bob


THE DAY AFTER or "Merry Aftermath" as Grandma says...

Uncle Chris playing and singing like Jack Johnson while Avers danced.





Sara, Scooter and Avery


Grandma and Avers



It was another perfect Christmas.

our little princess...

... complete with jammies and bedhead.

not your ordinary neighborhood walk.

Our neighborhood walks are-

drum poundin'


tricycle ridin'


Stanley walkin'


stair climbin'


did I say drum poundin'?


tricycle pushin'


movin' and shakin'


kind of walks.

candy cane lane. part one

After a delicious dinner next to the Christmas tree at my parent's house, we all filled up our to-go mugs with hot chocolate and headed over to a lighted wonderland nearby called Candy Cane Lane. Each year this little neighborhood decorates every nook and cranny of their front yards complete with a singing and dancing santas, moving reindeer and miniature trains.

We parked at the end of the cul-de-sac and strolled through admiring the Griswald-style decor. Between houses Avery showed her excitement by marching and chanting at the top of her lungs. She greeted people passing by with a confident "hello." It was fun to watch her enthusiasm.





Headed to Candy Cane Lane in Woodland Hills with Grandma and Grandpa next week.

Visit to Santa. Check.

Another festive activity checked off our list.

For the last couple weeks, we have had numerous conversations about Santa- who he is, what he looks like, what he does, when he will come to our house, what he may bring, etc., etc. The only objection she voiced was, "Santa not laugh (i.e. ho, ho, ho)." We told her that he won't laugh if she asked him not to. Well, let's just say that despite all the prep and conversations, Avery was not too pleased to be sitting on Santa's lap this year.

She looked intently as Santa came into view. As we moved closer, she said, "Mommy, go that way," pointing in the opposite direction.




It was instant.



Poor baby girl.

Once we left Santa's house, it was business as usual. A happy little girl who was happy-

Exploring the koi pond.


Riding on Daddy's shoulders.


Watching the fountains.


Climbing on giant presents under the giant Christmas tree.


Walking on the planters.


Heading home.



Hope you're having fun this holiday season.

a different kind of "to-do list."

We love this time of year and wanted to make sure we fit in everything while keeping with the holiday spirit (that is, not being rushed). In order to do that, we made a list of all the fun and festive things we would like to do this season. I must say, we've done a pretty good job of crossing things off our list!

We love Roger's Gardens. Not only is it beautiful in the day with their creative and colorful displays, but also in the nighttime during the Christmas season. The twinkling lights, the Christmas trees and the opportunity to visit Santa makes it a perfectly free and festive place to visit.

Couldn't get Aver's to take a family photo.


Little Miss Independent


Mimi and Papa


This year I thought it would be fun to start a tradition of decorating gingerbread houses, so we invited some friends & cousins over and let the fun begin. It was so much fun and a lot easier than I thought it would be.









A definite holiday tradition is heading to Laguna Beach for the Winter Fantasy Sawdust Festival with Uncle Mike, Auntie Jill and Dane. They've got it all to make it the most magical place: twinkling lights, Christmas trees, a sweet Santa, wooden play houses, kid's crafts, small petting zoo, delicious greek food (and other types of food and snacks), unique art, glass blowers, awesome live music, carollers, and wine and beer :)




Ready to browse the booths with a reindeer.


Tomorrow on the agenda is a visit to Santa and Candy Cane Lane.