Christmas

On Christmas Eve, we got on our PJs and headed out to look at Christmas lights. We went to a few in Glendale and even got out and walked around. The weirdest was one where people were allowed to go inside this person's house and see all the decorations. Our girls wanted to go in, so we obliged. It was really weird to put it mildly. There were decorations in EVERY SINGLE square inch of the house. And not cute ones either--like a hodge podge of random decorations. It was kind of creepy! Libby fell asleep on the way home and everyone else went to bed when we got home.

Everyone was up and ready (some got woken up) at 7, so we went in to see what Santa brought. We first checked out our stockings, then saw that Santa brought our family an XBox and Kinect--our first gaming system. They've been having fun with that. Some other highlights--Hattie got a scooter and an Olivia house, Libby has liked the glasses with no prescription and her converse, Eliza loves her Ugg-type boots, purse and converse, Ruby's played with her new toys and Ellie's had fun with her converse and iPod. Santa brought her a new iPod Nano, but we realized it didn't have speakers or the watching video capabilities, so we returned it and found and older version on Craigslist. Brian was excited to get new scriptures and I was ecstatic to get a new Bosch and wheat grinder as part of my Christmas. It will get a lot of use!






After opening gifts, we had breakfast. The girls wanted donuts, so we had gotten donuts the day before. Brian's parents came over and brought their gifts. Then my parents came over for a bite to eat and more gifts. It was like Christmas all over again with our visitors. The girls kept saying, "We are so spoiled!" At least they realized it! We hung out at home for a while, they went over to Brian's parents for dinner and cousin gift exchange.

Christmas is always so fun to anticipate but over so quickly!

A Little Bit Addicted

Why are these so good?

December

I think I made a record for the least amount of posts in one month. It's been a busy month! Some things I want to remember:

Eliza and Libby had their fun run at school the day we left for CA. Eliza didn't get first this time but got third. She did her best! Libby did great, too. She ended up getting fifth but ran so hard the whole time. She was pleased with her run.




Eliza coordinated every one's outfit (including my outfit and Brian's tie) to wear to church this past Sunday. She did a good job!



The other day, Eliza wanted me to curl her hair and she got all dressed up, so we took some pictures. I can't believe she'll be 9 in a couple weeks!


We had a fun ward Christmas party. It was the morning after we got home from our trip. It was a Polar Express theme. We met at the ramada and had hot chocolate. They we took a "train" ride to the building doors, where we got to see Santa. Then the kids colored pictures from the children who'll be in Phoenix Children's on Christmas. Next, we moved into the cultural hall for a big breakfast and singing, games and entertainment. A LOT of work was put into it and it showed. We had a fun time.

I got my braces off! After 9 months, it was time. Now let me tell you, it hurt so bad!!! I was ready to turn to the lady and do something mean. Not really, but it felt terrible! I guess the clear braces are nice on but a bear to get off. I can second that! Now I just have to wear retainers which is a pain but it's better than having braces.


This past Sunday we had our traditional Christmas dinner at my parents.


My mom always sets the table so nice. Everyone had a place card of a yummy rice krispie treat in a bag labeled with his or her name. Dinner was ham, potatoes, rolls, salad, stuffing, and lots of sweets! After dinner, we took the kids across the street to carol to Sister Clem. The kids really get into it and she loves having us come. We exchanged ornaments next. It was so fun for us to pick out ornaments for the person we gave to. We tried to find something that represented that person. I'll post pictures when I can get them from my mom *hint*. :) Then my parents had gotten an ornament for each grandchild and my mom made two pairs of flannel PJs for each grandkid, too. They all put them on right away! What a fun time!

And I had to post some pictures from our photo shoot in California. It was hard to pick favorites!

Disneyland

We spent four days between Disneyland and California Adventure. I should have written about it right away because I won't be able to remember anything. So here are the highlights:
First ride: Snow White. Ellie and Hattie were a little scared. They loosed up after that thank goodness!
Fairly short lines--longest wait was Toy Story in CA, but nothing else was very long.
Ellie and Hattie going on Big Thunder with Eliza and Brian. Didn't want to go again!
Eliza being brave and trying all the big rides: Tower of Terror, CA Screamin', Space Mountain, etc.
Ferris Wheel--this was scary! We went on the Ferris wheel in CA and we sat in one of the buckets that is enclosed and it swings big time. All the girls screamed! I think Brian was embarrassed and said we were the only people screaming. It was frightening though sliding back and forth so fast! Libby now says that was her favorite ride!
Silly Symphony Swings--I swore I would never go on a ride like this. But I did. It made me dizzy, but I survived. My girls really liked this ride.
Parades--of course, the parades were awesome.
Fireworks--nothing beats a Disney fireworks show. After the fireworks, it "snowed" in Disneyland.
Small World was all decked out for Christmas. It was way cute--I love that a couple of the rooms smell of gingerbread and sweets.
We spent more time than we have in the past in Toon Town. There are some fun things there--Libby LOVED the Goofy roller coaster and rode it over 10 times I think. Micky and Minnie's house is there, so that is fun to walk through. At the end of Micky's you actually meet Micky. Ruby wasn't so sure of all the characters.
The funniest was Indiana Jones. Ellie and Libby decided they wanted to go on it, so I took them and Eliza on it. I was laughing pretty much through the entire ride as I looked at them hold on for dear life. I was thinking, this probably wasn't the ride for them because it is pretty rough and a little frightening. I covered Ellie's eyes for some of it. They didn't want to go on it again (except Eliza).
We let our girls pick out one souvenir, so Eliza and Libby chose to have their picture done. We found a really talented lady in California Adventure. Eliza got herself drawn like the Queen of Hearts and Libby was Jessie from Toy Story. They are darling! When we got home from our trip, they set up a "studio" in their room and drew caricatures.
One tragedy of the trip was Brian throwing his phone away. It was our last day and we had eaten lunch. It was on the tray and got thrown away! He asked all around and was willing to dig in the trashes, but apparently after they take the trash, it goes straight to the compacter. So sad! He felt so lost without it! He ended up ordering another one just like it from eBay, so I think he's back to full function now!
We had a fun time--it was a LOT of work for Brian and I juggling everyone and making sure no one got lost.
Some pictures from our time...

They talked about this ride (Jumpin' Jellyfish) weeks before we went.