Cousin Slumber Party

Tanya, Addison, & Kieran arrived on Sunday night. We had a lovely meal together, but that's another story.~ We exchanged gifts and managed to get this kids in their spots for sleeping by 9pm. They, of course, stayed up talking for much longer. It was great to have time to spend with each other. We weren't able to go to the snow due to it raining a lot, but everyone seems happy with car rides, Wii playing, pizza making, and going to see Avatar in 3D. We all thoroughly enjoyed the movie, and I loved sitting next to Joseph watching him jump and try to reach out and touch whatever he saw in front of him. We were all so glad they came up to visit.:)

Many hours of Wii playing time ensued this trip! Wii Sports resort had sword fighting... Can I say it was a big hit?!

Exchanging gifts, which happened to be Wii games!!

The boys room became the play room and since Emelie's Laptop could go anywhere, they were very content.:)

Addison and Kieran Loved Spencer's swing. Every time it was open, one of them was on it. Kieran even got Spencer off a few times to take a turn hehe.

The girls~ Celia, Emmy, Me & Tanya

Happy Spencer. He was a good boy. I think he was thoroughly entertained by watching the siblings and cousins play.:)

Emelie 13, Joseph 8, Kieran 7, and Addison 9

Making Pizza~

Tanya prepping for Pizza making.:)

Celia guarded the dough.

I don't remember, but I think Celia is saying its her turn. What do you think?:)

Kieran & Emelie

Kieran rolling the dough, we had a step stool so he and Celia could reach the counter.:)

Joseph was a natural, I think he learns by watching because it seemed he had done this many times before.~

We had such a great time anticipating Tanya and the cousins coming for a couple days right before Christmas! My sister Tanya is quite the culinary cook and we decided having a homemade pizza making party would be something we all would enjoy. Tanya made the dough at home and let it rise over night and drove(but flew) up here from Burbank. Needless to say the dough was very raised!:) We had to refigerate is 'till the next day too, but all in all was yummy.I had the toppings prepared. The kids all got to make some. What a fun and yummy activity. Maybe it will have to be made into a tradition!~

Santa Visit~

We made it! I had to go pick up Celia from school and hurry home to get all the kids in the car to go to the Alta regional Center for Santa Day. They close at 4pm and the kids all had a full day of School.

The Boys are Excited!

Emmy got Rudolph on her hand, Joseph got Christmas lights and Celia had fun picking out a gingerbread man to be painted on her.

Celia made this for Brian and I. She loves to describe the snowflakes and glitter to us! It was almost given to Santa when she showed them, but I just had to keep it!

Spence is a leaner and he wanted to hug Santa.~

Celia had to bring in all her art to show Santa. :) It was sweet.

Each of the kids are given a teddy bear by Santa. Celia's was white and So softy.

Spence and Celia with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus. As always, Spencer liked his beard.

Here is Spencer relaxing after winning a prize in the game that was like a cake walk. He chose a pencil for his prize.:) He did like walking in circles and played it a few times.

Every year, we try and attend Santa Day and Alta Regional. They really make going to see Santa a better experience for little families like ours. The line for Santa is set up in such a way that you can eat and drink your refreshments in line, get your face or hand painted, and even have chairs to sit. Spence did run to the front of the line once but Barbara his worker who happened to be Santa's helper caught him and happily greeted us. Celia was awfully excited to see Santa, she brought her whole sack of art projects to see him. We are very grateful for an opportunity to have a great Santa visit experience.:)

Do you have a flyer?

I love flyers, especially the ones that I receive from Brian about his Annual Work Christmas Party. They are always in beautiful fancy restaurants, and I always have a great time. I get to see a more social side of Brian which I love and get to enjoy fantastic food, atmosphere, and dressing up! I didn't want to buy anything new, but I wanted to find something nice. I found the outfit I wore to my Ten Year high school reunion.:) Yay purple is a new Christmas color I decided.:) This year the party was at Chops Steak house on 11Th street in Sacramento. I usually google the restaurant before we go, but I was too busy too this time.~ The State Capitol was across the street and so beautiful lite up at night. It had poured all day, but we missed the rain going into the restaurant. It was very clear and beautiful out. Downtown Sacramento decorates with a lot of white lights.:) The restaurant was nice. It was very modern, I think the area we were in turns into a night club at night, the lounge seating tipped us off and the dark areas with benches that had sheer material encasing the booths. Looked a little like a harem would fit nicely in there lol. I loved the fresh flowers they had. Very exotic mixed with bird of paradise! They were beautiful in color and it renewed my hope of the bird of paradise growing outside my kitchen window. Its a gorgeous dark green color, but it has yet to bloom.

We received drink vouchers from our hostess and since we don't drink, I got a Shirley temple, which I was told by another gal there was so old fashioned and sweet.:) It was great to chat, although I was extremely embarrassed when one of brian's co workers started talking about World of Warcraft the video game. He was referring to a commercial for it, but started being like Mr. T and being really really loud lol. He knew the whole commercial and was talking about night elves and everything, I coulda died lol, so embarrassing. Brian just smiled and eventually the subject was changed, phew.

Since we were fashionably late, the name cards had been placed on the tables almost everywhere. Brian's boss moved some around and we sat at his table. The food was great! the bread was seasoned really well, the potatoes were seasoned really really well and the fillet Mignon was sooo good. I even loved the peppers and onions and broccoli they had for vegetables. In the past at these events I love the fresh fruit desserts, but this chocolate cake , I give two thumbs up! After dinner we play games. One was a pop quiz of current events, and the other was pairing license frames sayings. Both were a little challenging, but fun. Next year, as Brian's boss pointed out several times, Brian is in charge of the party. He'll have the mic, he'll pick the place, and he'll have to come up with the games and prizes. I'm nervous that some of that will be delegated my way.. hehe

Overall it was a big success, and I can't wait for next year. I'm so glad we got Judy reserved to babysit a month in advance, so I could attend this great event. Many people tried to take that date! We'll be sure to have a beautiful flyer next year, and many years to come.:)

Record Breaking

A warmy bubble bath, yes it couldn't get anymore water in the tub..lol

Morning snow!:)

Its cold its true, we had a tiny dusting of snow here in Sacramento a few days ago. Brian remembered the last time he'd seen snow here was in 1987! It baffles me though that it continues to be cold. Each morning we scrape our ice off our windshield and our roof stays white with frost until past noon in some areas! However, it makes it extra cozy to wear our big jackets, enjoy hot chocolate, bread sticks, down comforters, and fires in the fireplace. Even Cozy bubble baths help us to warm up. I'm very grateful we have the means to get warm this winter. We are truly blessed to have wonderful family friends and the light of the gospel in our lives.

I'm Looking for the Celia.

Poor Celia was saying "I'm looking for the Celia" while holding binoculars and sifting through six or seven pictures she found of her siblings with Santa Claus. We've gone a few times to the Alta Regional Center to see Santa, its easier for Spencer, but because of time constraints with school Santa is often done taking pictures when we get to the Holiday Party. I will take Celia to the Mall sometime when the kids are in school and visit Santa. Christmas is such an exciting time for children, its fun to see the bright eyes and amazement Celia shows when she discovers stars or Christmas trees around the town. She shows everyone our Christmas tree that comes over and is quite interested in all the Christmas songs. She is a joy and we're happy to have another relatively little one to share the excitement with all over again.

Letting the Energy out.~

After a few days of cold, a little fog and being inside all Saturday while Mom and Dad were in Tahoe, it was time to let the kiddos run all around the park.

Pretty Emmy.

Celia Bear.

Little Joe.

Spencer Doodle.

The Mama.

Its easy to get a picture of these two hanging out and snuggling.

Spence only likes one shoe or one sock on his right foot these days..:)

Playing hide and go seek.

Celia's counting to go find Joseph behind the trees.

This is our Thanksgiving vacation and even though its doesn't seem to count as such to Emmy unless we leave town, we are having fun spending time together. Celia is still having program at our house. Its great to see her make such fantastic progress in her speech and SO many facets of her daily life. She is doing awesome. Yesterday we went and got Emmy a new flute case, hers was cracked and without a name tag. So after the music store and a few errands we headed to the park in Rah Rah and Papas old neighborhood. It was beautiful out, perfect weather and such a nice little park the kids could run around in. Celia wanted snack when we sat at the picnic table for me to try to get a picture of the four of them that I could use for a Christmas card.:) So we headed for chicken and crabby patties afterward and had a lovely time I think.~

Tahoe Travels~

Sunset on the way home..We saw fall and winter landscapes, it was great to top it off with a beautiful sunset.

The clouds were amazing and pictures never do the scenery justice, especially with falling snow and glistening sparkles in the fields.

The beautiful couple we went to see be married.

Gotta love a waterfall, even if it is small and right by the restaurant. There was ice in the pond too, brr~

Too bad I was in high heels, I would have like to see that snowman and waterfront closer, but then I'm sure a snowball fight would ensue, that I was trying to avoid to stay warm.:)

Behind Bri and I you can see the nice restaurant, Riva grille, where we had the reception for family and a few friends!:)

Brian and I had a wonderful Saturday to ourselves! Judy our trusted respite worker(babysitter) came and was with the kids while Brian and I went to Steve and Layna's Wedding in Lake Tahoe. It was a beautiful ride there and back and enjoyed a nice ceremony and great meal there. I loved the snow and the scenery was amazing. I was glad we can"visit" then come home:)