Christmas Eve and Morn

The Santa Clara City Christmas Eve Program.

We went to this when I was a kid. Now I get to suffer through it as an adult.

We go for the Santa photo-op.

Chloe and Stella thought it was hilarious that Santa gave Fred a "boy Barbie". Somehow Santa must have known that Fred likes to join his sisters in their Barbie play and that two Ken dolls (one whose head won't stay on) for three kids and ten Barbies is not sufficient. Enough with the Bachelor scenarios.

Chloe still believes in Santa. She's not so sure about the flying reindeer. Deer that fly? It's just a little too absurd for her.

WARNING: The following images are an assault on the eyeballs. The varying colors and patterns may cause damage to your vision. Continue at your own risk.

I love this picture: the messy hair, crazy faces, sheet keeping the loot a surprise, etc.


Fred received a balance board. Stella only asked for a Pig in a Teacup and a CD player. Chloe also asked for a CD player and horse stuff.

Meme sent the kids dress ups and a giant jump rope. Fred LOVES his sword. He ties up his victims with the rope (mostly Grandpa on this trip) then chops them to pieces.

I also bought a Grand Stable online. I couldn't find any dimensions listed. They weren't kidding it is grand (huge). We bought cousin Ashton's horse collection to go with it.

A Simple Christmas Wish

Katie: Fred, what do you want for Christmas?
Fred: A motorcycle.
Katie: Where did you see a motorcycle? (wondering if he had seen a kid riding a toy one.)
Fred: Just on the road when they drive fast by us.
Katie: Oh, but little boys can't drive those motorcycles.
Fred: I know, Dad will drive it and I will hold onto the bars--the handles..
Katie: The handle bars?
Fred: Yeah.

Hmm...does anyone in the St. George area have a motorcycle that we could borrow for a ride?
Also, do any of the people I know in the St. George area want to get together? We'll be here all next week. Call, fb, email, or comment.

December

Due to pregnancy I was not in the mood for Christmas celebrations. We did not do an advent calendar. We didn't put lights on the house. (I did put a strand of lights on a bush but never plugged it in. They're still there.) I didn't even want to get out the Christmas tree or decorations. The thought of cleaning up the house in order to get out a bunch of stuff that I would just have to put away in a few weeks was just too much for me. But we had guests coming so I thought I should try to make the house a little festive.

Here are the kids in their new pjs doing a very lovely job of decorating the tree. Fred is saying, "ooo afinity and deyon!"

Meme flew out for a visit and Val and Kate & co. drove up from SLC. We had a very busy week with projects at school, giving gifts to refugees and trying to figure out our gifts for our kids and other family. I'm afraid I was too tired to be a good hostess. We were trying to keep the pregnancy a surprise for Christmas but I don't think I was good at hiding it.

The only picture we took of their visit was this dinner of Omaha Steaks courtesy of Grammy and Pepe. (Thank you!)

The day after Dan's family left we loaded up the car and drove to Santa Clara to spend Christmas with my family.