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.