Christmas

We were able to spend Christmas with Darrell's mom and his sister and her family in sunny California.  (And the weather didn't disappoint that's for sure!)  We had a wonderful time.

The excitement for the trip was not leaving our a suitcase behind, but missing checking in our one checked bag by 5 minutes and having to take the next flight 4 hours later.  (Maybe someone will believe me now that it is MUCH better to get to the airport with PLENTY of time rather than spend 4 extra hours with 3 kids waiting for the next flight...ahem!)

We arrived at Darrell's mom's house on December 24.  That night Carol brought out a book and a "word-activated" dog named Jingle that was so fun to watch.  (Obviously Emily doesn't understand appropriate "no climb on the coffee table" etiquette at others' houses.  I'll take full responsibility for that.)  Then we watched a 5-minute DVD of the nativity and put the girls to bed.  We put the stockings up while Tyler was still awake, but he didn't really understand the whole thing. 



Santa's loot:



The kids in the morning looking at their gifts:



The kids a few seconds later:  Tyler was most excited about something the girls got as well as getting ANOTHER Lightning McQueen and Emily decided the books on the coffee table were much better than what Santa Claus had brought.

 

Megan and Tyler thought the dress up clothes were pretty cool.  Emily, on the other hand, wanted nothing to do with them.  (Sigh!) (Doesn't Tyler make a lovely Snow White?)






 We went to church Sunday morning.  Here is the best picture we got after church.



The girls wore their Christmas dresses a week before Christmas also, but I never could get them to stay still long enough to get decent pictures.

 

That night we were all together for a wonderfully yummy dinner and to open presents.

 The kids loved playing with the Santa hats that the big stuffed bears usually wear.  They especially loved playing with Grandma.

The weather was PERFECT (75 degrees on Christmas Day) and we enjoyed every second of it.





One day we walked to the store and saw this real fire truck in the parking lot.  Tyler was especially excited because he got a fire truck from Santa Claus.  The firemen were getting lunch at In and Out.  They were so nice to visit with us before they headed on their way.  They said Tyler could get in the truck, but he threw a "Tyler tantrum" (akin to a temper tantrum but it means he's been asked to go beyond his comfort zone.)  Darrell got in the truck and had a grand time visiting with the firemen in the truck.



We were able to visit with Darrell's grandma Nellie a couple times at the care center.  I didn't get a picture with Nellie, but I did get this picture of the kids on a bench out in the hall.  They were the center of attention amongst all the "old folk".



We were also able to go to the cemetery and see Darrell's dad's grave marker.  It turned out beautifully.  I love the decorations.



The last day we were able to go to the park before our flight left.  Brenda treated us to a picnic in the park.  The kids LOVE hamburger, fries and Frosties so they were in heaven.






 
 
 
 

 We had such a great time.  The kids loved spending time with Grandma (who is sporting a few more bruises from these rambunctious kids than she previously had.)