Christmas

Christmas Eve was so fun the kids got to open all their gifts from Oma and Opa, and Papa Don. Lots of clothes and Lego’s quickly filled our small family room. It was such a treat to have Oma and Opa here for Christmas. 

Christmas morning we were woke by two extremely excited kiddos at 5:30 AM. Next year we will better plan for this. Everyone started their day off early, the kids had a ball. They had their gifts opened so fast. Jakob was so excited about his skateboard ramp and gun, and Mikayla fell fast in love with her new doll and roller-blades. 

The kids got to rest a bit and it was time for Nana and Papa to come to dinner. We all had such a wonderful time. There is always so much prep involved with Christmas, I wish it lasted as long as it took to prepare. It all breezes by way too fast. I just hope next year I am not so tired from playing Santa and then being woken up so early. :) That is all part of the fun right?

A Magical Crowd

So every year we go to fight the December Disneyland crowds. This year we had a blast, we got to ride many rides, see the shows; all on a sold out day. We had a blast! While sipping hot coco and coffee we camped out on the cold cement to see the holiday firework show. There is just something about Disneyland that puts a smile on my face, even though we go all the time to me doesn't seem to get old. I love it! Can't wait to go back on a non-holiday Wednesday when it is empty!

New Slippers...

So today I came home to a package at the door. It was a gift for me; from my sister. They are the cutest handmade all vegan slippers. I love them!

Thank you Steffi, Flippy, and Izzy!

Knotts Read to Ride

I thought I would challenge the kiddos with a reading earnings program to earn a trip to Knotts Berry Farm. Mikayla had to read 300 pages from chapter books in 30 days; she read 309. Jakob had to read 30 books and that is all he read. I was so proud of the both of them, they did such a good job. Mikayla was so eager to get it done, I caught her reading everywhere.

We had a blast; the park was empty, we walked onto every ride. The place was so cute all decorated for Christmas, and Christmas music blared throughout the whole park. The kids were so excited to meet Snoopy; this was a big deal because they are afraid of all dressed up characters. They said because I wanted to marry snoopy when I was little that they would take a picture with him, and they did, and I did. David told him that he was my first love and snoopy planted a big fuzzy kiss on me. What fun it was. This will be a December tradition for us from here on out.

36 Scarves

36 handmade tags..

36 handmade sheets of wrapping paper...

36 handmade scarves...

All made by the sweetest 6 little 9 year old girls I know.

My Keepers group has worked so hard to make these gifts beautiful. I love all the hard work they have put into this project; they have such big hearts.  We will be donating them to the Simi Valley Care Center.

Caroling we go!

Tonight we were all supposed to go caroling at  my friend Laurie's. It was such a bummer, Jake ended up sick so it was just Mikayla and I so caroling we went. We had a great time. Along the way one of the neighbors had the cutest reindeer's in the the front yard. Had to have a photo op with the phone. Had lots of yummies and a good time.

Occupy Simi

So the kiddos had asked me what occupy L.A. was; I tried to tell them so they would get it. Moments later they were in the yard making their own tent in the backyard. It was so cold they both had their robes on and demanded hot coco and then they would leave. They had me laughing so hard, I love them! They not only got hot coco, they got cookies too. :)

Keepers at Childrens Hunger Fund

Today was the toy wrap for the Childrens Hunger Fund. The goal was to wrap 75,000 gifts. It was so rewarding knowing we were there to help and serve the Lord in this way. The girls honestly got so much out of this expeience. I cannot wait to do it again next year! Next year I will drag the boys with us.

Invasion of green army men.

So today I get in the shower and come out to a bedroom filled with green army men hiding out in every nook and cranny of my room.Jakob propped every drawer and door open, on the headboard and in the lampshades. As I exited my bathroom in towel all I hear from the other side of the room was, "This is an ambush, get down mom!" at first I didn't see them; once I figured it out I was so happy to see my little boy so happy.

Hurray for the Lego Advent Calendar

So today we surprised the kiddos with a Lego advent calendar. Each day they will get to build and add to the city scene. Tonight cant with a Lego dude equipped with hand cuffs and a snowball; not sure how this ties into Christmas. We shall see how this progresses.