Well, I made it about 3 days before I just gave into the frenzy of Merry Rushmas! I mean, if you have kids it's almost impossible to do less. And if you know my kids you know they need constant entertainment so I purposefully plan things to keep them busy and happy. But, honestly, I love everything about Christmas....everything that this blogger said to do less of are all the things I enjoy. I'm a happy mommy when I take my kids somewhere festive, visit Santa or cook and bake for my family. Isn't that what its all about anyway...doing what you love with the people you love.
I think being busy at Christmas is unavoidable. And as a parent you sort of expect to fight the crowds at Toys R Us and stay up all night on Christmas Eve wrapping presents. Christian and I are exhausted right now but it was an amazing Christmas so it was worth it. The boys were giddy every day waiting for Santa and because it was Dylan's first, we wanted to make it even more special. So needless to say, we did a lot and had a lot of fun! We all thought it was the best Christmas we've had so far! I really wanted to post everything separately but just never had the time. So here are ALL of our holiday photos in one post. Sorry there are so many pictures but I hope you enjoy them. We're off to Chicago tomorrow to celebrate with Christian's family so this will b e my last post of 2013...what a year it's been! See you all in 2014. Happy New Year!
We started off the season by decorating, of course. As you can see I finally filled all the spaces on my PEACE stocking holder! The final piece to the puzzle, little miss Dylan, has completed our family in such a special way...
Jack LOVES Christmas. And not just the parties and presents...he really gets into the spirit of it. He is like me in so many ways because Christmas is my absolute favorite time of the year too. He helps me decorate every year and I love that time with him. We let him put the star on top of the tree...
A visit to Santa! I think the kids did a great job taking their picture. No tears or running away! Dylan is wearing a hand-made dress from my friend Temre...isn't it gorgeous! And the boys look so dapper in their bow ties. I love these kids...
We finally broke down and drank the Elf on a Shelf cool-aid. They should call him "Just another PITA thing that parents have to remember to do during Christmas. But Jack really enjoyed it so I guess Willie the Elf will have to stay for a while...
Before things got too hectic, we snuck in a date night holiday dinner with our friends at Roy's. It was delish and such a fun night...
Jack's friend Luca had all the boys from school over for a brunch and cookie decorating party the night after our dinner date. It was so cool to have all the boys together and Jack really loves these guys. We have so much fun when all the families get together...
Is there something on my face?!
Christmas wouldn't be complete without a trip to see the lights...
And this is the final result! Isn't it adorable?!
And this is what it looks like now! I loved it so much that I selfishly decided I would display it for a few days before we gave it away. But it fell and broke along with my heart! Sorry Gigi! We owe you a present!!
But I just couldn't stay sad for long when I had this face smiling at me. She's so delicious I just want to eat her with a spoon!
We had a rare, very cold day here last week - it was in the 50s! Brrrr! But I thought it would be a great opportunity to break out the adorable hat that Dylan will probably wear very little in sunny SoCal. She doesn't seem to like it very much...
That same rainy day we decided to bake our holiday treats to give to the boy's teachers and some friends. Baking is my favorite part of the holidays so I was in heaven. Jack was such a great helper. I can't say the same for Gavin....but he was a good taste tester! So when I was icing the cookies I asked the boys to get me the frosting. They came back with these Frosty the snowmen. Too cute!
My sous chef!
Jack had a holiday performance at school. The kids learned and sang about 8 songs for us. It was hilarious! They all sing with such gusto!
Dylan was not impressed...
Me and my Frosty...
Jack and his best buds...
His teachers, Ms. Stacy and Ms. Kyoko. We LOVE them!!
Christmas service at Saddleback was amazing! We didn't get pictures of if but Jack thought the reindeer topiary was pretty cool...
The Sandoval family celebration at Grandpa Mikes. Her are all the great-grand kids...minus the two that are on the way next spring...
I love that my grandma Molly has been able to meet my children. I wish they could have met my mom's mother Flo...she was the greatest!
All the first-cousins...
Dillie getting a lift from Grandpa Mike...
Christmas Eve! We celebrated with my siblings and the Jordan Family. It was such a relaxing and fun night...
We tried to get a picture of Dylan, Marseille and Amelie since they all looked adorable in their dresses. But as you can see, Dylan wasn't having it!
We finally got her so stop crying long enough for a cute pic with mom...
Christmas morning! I can't believe I got a picture of the boys smiling! It's a Christmas miracle. I must have bribed them. And I have to point out that they only way I could get them to wear a holiday shirt was if it had a Ninja Turtle on it. I scored with these...
Gavin was stoked to get Monsters University...
Even Dylan got a few gifts from Santa! She loves Violet...
And her new Sandra Boynton books...
Spoiled!
Christmas brunch at Mimi and Papa's! Dylan was my greatest gift this year so I had to wrap her in a red bow...
Cousin Love!
I love this picture of my sissy with her daughter Amelie, who is a spitting image of her! I'm so jealous that Jen has a kid who looks like her...
And finally, last, but certainly, not least....my 2nd best gift this year....a new camera from my mom and Joey! Can I get a Hallelujah Sista! How many times have I written on my blog about how my camera sucks and that it takes the worst pictures! Well, those days are over my friends. Next year the blog will be filled with even more amazing pictures. I'm absolutely giddy! I can't wait to start using it and blogging away! Until then...
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