Pics by the Christmas Tree

Christmas!

I'm not sure how these didn't get posted earlier, but here they are!  The kids had a fun Christmas and loved seeing the skis which Santa left for them.  They loved all of the presents which everyone sent.  Thanks so much!

California Lefse

This is what lefse looks like when you have no special tools, just a regular rolling pin, a countertop and some flour sack towels.  Not super thin, but it actually tasted quite good.  We ate it with chile verde, like tortillas.  Multicultural Christmas meal at its best.

Looking for Cranes

We went to Lodi on Christmas to look for the Sandhill Cranes.  There were not as many as in previous years in the location where we usually go, but we did manage to see some and heard lots of others going to neighboring fields.  We upgraded from our annual McDonald's and hit up Denny's instead.  Movin' on up!

Christmas Morning!

 Two happy kids who found that Santa brought skis for them for Christmas!

Cookies for Santa

Hope Santa likes sprinkles!

Christmas Eve Walk

Christmas Program

Eating a cookie after her Christmas program performance.

Alameda Lights

We went to Alameda to check out the lights on Thompson Avenue again this year and the kids were not disappointed.  Plenty of lights to see and the weather was nice, so it was a very pleasant walk.  We headed over to Angel Fish for sushi afterward which was a very nice treat, despite a lengthy wait.  Yummy stuff!

Christmas Morning

Thanks for the Gifts!

 Jules in her new apron from Grandpa Al and Grandma Cindy

 Trying out the beads from Grandma Elaine.

 These sheets are soft!

 The little princess trying on her new dresses and shoes from Grandpa Al and Grandma Cindy

 A Hello Kitty dress.  Thanks Grandpa Al and Grandma Cindy!

Trying out the new Busytown Game.  

Thanks to everyone for the generous presents which you sent!  Julia tried out alot of them yesterday, while her brother was putting together his Lego set (hence, not many pics of him!).  She has all kinds of new fun stuff that she likes alot.  Thanks!

560 Pieces

This is what Alex received from Santa.  A 560 piece Lego Star Wars X Wing Fighter.  He has been in the playroom working on it since before 7:00 this morning and it is 1:54.  He refused homemade morning buns many times, was forced to take a bathroom break, managed to be coaxed to talk on the phone for a bit and shared a bit of a cheese plate, but other than that, he is parked here for the duration.

Update:  Finished at 2:04 pm.  Very, very excited!

New Puzzle

Jules and Daddy showing off the new puzzle from Grandma Elaine, all put together.

Testing out the new gear

Julia putting her new knife to work, helping me prep for Christmas dinner.

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, we enjoyed a low key evening, opened a few presents, Skyped with family in Minnesota and read some Christmas books, before getting a plate of marshmallows, carrots and some rolled oats ready for Santa and his reindeer.  Julia decided she wanted to eat the carrots and the rolled oats, but all was good, we just refilled them before going to bed. ;-)

Little Santa

I can't resist!  Google has a new Auto Awesome feature where it adds elements to your photos after you take them, automatically.  I thought this addition to an already cute picture of Julia was kind of cute!

Christmas Party

 A few snacks for the partygoers

 Feed the Reindeer game

 More feeding of the reindeer

 Transfer the M&Ms using a straw

 A jump rope break

 Transfer the cotton balls using only your Vaselined nose

Decorate some cookies!

Last Wednesday, we had three of Alex's classmates over for a little Christmas party.  I decided that it might be wise to keep things structured with four boys and a little sister in the house, so I planned out a bunch of games.  Many based on Minute to Win It games.  I haven't ever seen the show, but some of the games which I read about were pretty cool.  Turns out that the boys liked them and had fun with some friendly competition.  To round out the party, we decorated some sugar cookies.  It was fun to have some friends over and see them playing the silly games.

Santa

Santa visited the Farmer's Market today and Julia stopped by to talk to him.  Alex was not interested in talking with Santa, but Julia was happy to sit and chat.  She was thrilled to get a candy cane too.  Definitely the little things!