Christmas Traditions

Springs Preserve 

We love going to the Springs Preserve's Christmas Party.  The kids made a Christmas craft and decorated cookies, rode the "reindeer", played bingo (Seth, Danny and Aaron all won a round), Seth and Aaron got their faces painted (Aaron was feeling a little wild and got a tiara), sat with Santa, and played in the falling snow (foam that was sprayed from above).

Gift of Lights at the Speedway

We love this one because it's so good, and it's close and we get to stay in our warm car. Seth fell asleep before we got there. Sorry Seth. But Ruby thought it was great!

Candy Trains

We get together with the Deans every year and make candy trains. Seth and Ruby really got into the decorating this year.  And Danny and Aaron like to add a little violence to our scene. This year they staged a train wreck and some gummi bears that got run over.

Chocolate Factory Cactus Garden

The Ethel M Chocolate factory covers their cactus gardens in lights.  It's like Las Vegas's version of Temple Square.  It's so pretty and not super big so we don't have to get too freezing.  This year the Deans went with us and we all had so much fun with our buddies.  Then when we're all done looking at the lights we go in and buy a box of chocolates and each kids gets to pick their own flavors.

Sleeping under the tree

Pro Soccer in Vegas

We went to a Las Vegas Legends professional soccer game.  It was a little late so Seth and Ruby stayed home with a babysitter. We had so much fun.  It was at the Orleans. And our seats were in the VIP area where they had free popcorn.  The kids were in heaven.  And there was a lounge area behind the seats.  So when they got tired of watching the game they went and played in the empty lounge.  It was a great night.

Thanksgiving

We went to Visalia last week for Thanksgiving.  Everyone was there.  We got there Tuesday night until Sunday afternoon.  Wednesday, Danny Rachel, Aaron and I went shopping and they all got new shoes and Rachel and Aaron got new pants.  Danny didn't need either.  He's quite the shopper and tells me when he needs things and exactly what he wants.  But the other two need to be forced a little.  In the end, they were all happy though.

We took family pictures with everyone. Seth was a little booger when we took the grandkids picture.  Bob was behind the group trying to hold him in place. So most of the pictures don't even have Seth in them, but then when Bob got him up, he wouldn't open his eyes.

Thursday we had a great Thanksgiving dinner and we all went to see Wreck it Ralph.

Friday we went over to Pismo and rented ATVs. This year my dad also got a dune buggy, which was great because then our three oldest could ride that and they were happy.  And it was great weather that day too.

Saturday we mostly hung out and went to the park. It was a great trip.

Ruby is 2

Ruby is 2 years old! She's such a fun girl.  She loves going to gymnastics, playing with the kids, watching movies on my phone, playing babies and dancing.  Some things she says to me that I love are: "Tank you, mommy" she says it all the time. "get me now" She's trying to say "can't get me now" and she wants me to chase her.  "Play me, Mommy". She wants me to play with her.  Usually we're playing princesses or babies.

Ruby has grown to love more rough-housing as time has gone on.  She will lure you in to chasing her and tossing her around.  She never seems to get enough; she always ends each session of 'fun' with "Again! Again! Again!"  She is very good at thanking others.  Even when we're giving her medicine or her 'contacts' (eye solution for pink eye) and she's been a little difficult, she'll follow up with a "Thank you, Dad!"  She loves to drink, especially powdered drinks (pink lemonade, tang, chocolate milk).  These are all referred to simply as "Tang".  She has also knows how to operate and asks for iPads, iPods, iPhones, etc. by name.

She's so tiny.  She has the small version of a big person's body.  It's been nice to have her be so light, especially when compared to Seth.  She and Seth are still both excited to meet their dad at the door when he comes home from work.  She makes you feel special.  I always sing to her after reading her a book at night.  She usually gets her three standard songs, but she always wants an encore of 'Beam' (Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam).  And then she wants it sung again.  Again!  Again!  Again!  

For her birthday, we had the Deans over for cake and ice cream.  She helped me make her cake.  She picked an orange cake with pink frosting and blue letters.  She was so proud of her cake. She got a little people princess castle and a baby with a car-seat.  She loved all her presents and had fun playing with everyone. We sure love our little doll!

Favorite food: fruit snacks, chicken nuggets and ketchup (kepup)

Favorite Movie: Shrek or Despicable Me, whatever movies I have on my phone

Favorite color:  pink
Favorite song: I am a child of God, popcorn popping, or any song they sing at nursery

Best friend: Seth

What do you and your mom do together: Play princesses and babies

What do you and your dad do together: Toss on the couch

Favorite place to go: Gymnastics, Nursery or the Deans' house

Favorite Book: Cinderella

New family pictures

Aaron is 7

What makes you happy: Playing football with my friends
Favorite food: fettucine alfredo
Favorite thing to do: football
Favorite TV show: Johnny Test
What are you really good at: Playing soccer

Favorite Movie: Madagascar 3

Favorite color:  blue
Favorite song: Fire burning on the dance floor

Best friend: Tyson

What do you and your mom do together: Play tetherball

What do you and your dad do together: Help make ramps

Favorite sport: soccer

Favorite place to go: Laser Quest

Favorite animal: dog

Favorite Book: Fortune Wookie

What do you want me to be when you grow up: Police Officer

For Aaron's Birthday this year we went to Laser Quest.  Grandma Zonda, Grandpa Cliff, Casey, Kristal and Grandma Donna came too.  We had a great time. He had a football cake he picked out from Costco and we got a couple of lego sets and some gummi bears.  The rest of his gifts were money and he put that away in his savings account.  He's proud of how much money he's collecting.

Fake Camping

We try to go camping in the spring and fall, but sometimes we have a hard time finding a weekend that works. So this fall we went fake camping. It was the best.  We got all the good parts of camping without the horrible sleeping and everyone being grumpy the whole next day because they didn't get enough sleep.  We went and got a campsite and hiked around and we did a fire with hot dogs and smores. And then when everyone was tired we drove home.  Everyone took showers before getting in bed.  It was great weather.  We had a great time. We love Valley of Fire.