Christmas Sunday

The Sunday before Christmas Toby was on call. We all got ready together and went to church. Then right when we sat down Toby got a call from a hospital and he needed to go to a surgery right then. Usually it's okay when he leaves I am used to doing things alone every once in a while at church. For some reason though the girls were CRAZY this particular day. During Sacrament meeting I thought I was going to die because of how hard they were being. None of my usual tricks were working. So realizing there was no way that I was going to get anything out of the meeting I took the girls out in the hall. They continued to give me a really hard time and I was so close to just going home when Nikell started to settle down and it was time to take them to nursery (thank heaven)!

I am so glad that I didn't give in and take the girls home. I am a primary teacher and in our sharing time a lady in our ward told the story of the birth of Jesus and it hit me so hard. I felt so peaceful and so grateful for Christ and for this spacial time of year that we have to reflect on him and think of him. I tried not to cry and this moment didn't last long because the next thing I knew Nikell was walking into primary saying "stinky mommy, Stinky". I am so grateful that I was able to experience that even if it was just for a moment. I love my Savior and I love the feeling of peace that comes from hearing about his birth and his life.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas I look forward to hearing all about all the fun times everyone had!

They may look sweet but believe me they have their moments!

UPDATE

I added a post to my hair blog, so anyone that wants a fun up do for you holiday party check it out. Hopefully it's not too complicated!

www.rockinhair.blogspot.com

THIS IS HOW WE DO IT IN CALIFORNIA

The other day Brooklyn said to me "mom it isn't Christmas time because its not snowing. It has to snow before Santa can come". I then explained to her that we live in California and where we live it doesn't snow. I told her we would go up in the mountains soon and see the snow, but Christmas would come without the snow for us. Then I remembered that the big pumpkin patch on Del Osso farms was doing a holiday/winter theme and that they were making a big tubing hill with real snow. Yesterday I checked it out and we decided it would be a good day to go because during the week wouldn't be as busy as on the weekend or closer to Christmas. So last night some of our good friends came with us to experience holidays on the farm.

We had so much fun and the kids loved it! It was great to be able to hang out with some friends that we don't see very often. They had a train that took us through the Christmas lights. We also played on the bikes and tricycles. They have a track so that the kids (and adults) can race. Matt and Megan raced each other and it was pretty hilarious to watch! Before heading over to the snow we even got to see the Santa's reindeer!

The tubing was seriously AWESOME!!!! On the way up the escalator to the top of the hill megan, mimi and I were cracking up at how great it was that we didn't have to hike to the top of the hill every time. This is definitely our idea of the perfect, (lazy) way to go tubing. And I think it was Mimi who said "that's right, we are doing this California style".

We had a great night and will hopefully go back again before it closes. Next year I look forward to the ice skating rink they will be adding to the fun.

These two girls are my favorite! They are like 7 day's apart in age. They are darling and I love it when they can play together!!!

Matt and Megan racing

Matt and Kaiya

The kids couldn't really reach the pedals so it was funny to watch the dad's try to push them around the track.

Matt gave Nikell a turn.

all of us on the train.

Matt, Mimi and Ella

The coolest tubing hill EVER! lol

This is Megan, Mimi and I racing. I totally thought I had it but then out of no where Megan flew right by me.

Nikell was sad that she couldn't go on the tube. She wasn't tall enough!

Matt and Addison

Toby and Brooklyn, Brooklyn seriously loved going tubing. She was so happy and excited every time we made our way up the escalator.

SANTA

We had our Ward Christmas Party last night and we had a good time. Toby had some work stuff going on and made it just in time to clean up for an hour but the rest of us got to enjoy the food, friends and Santa Claus!! They had this little program where Santa actually talked to the kids about the birth of our Savior and their were a couple of musical numbers that were really great! The kids loved it and Nikell was dancing around waving at Santa Claus and trying to sit on all the kids laps. I thought she would for sure want to see Santa and go sit on his lap but when we got up to him she was not happy about it. I think she is content to watch him from a distance. Brooklyn on the other hand was so excited to talk to Santa and to ask him if he got her Christmas list that she sent him. She loves Santa today she even told me that she really wanted to give Santa a present for Christmas. So cute!



Misty took these pic's for me because if you can believe it I left my camera at home.

TROY AND AMY'S PICTURES

My friends asked me to take their family pictures for them. I was grateful for the opportunity to learn more and really hope they are happy with them. They have the cutest little boy but he wasn't very interested in getting his picture taken. It was such a good learning experience for me!