Merry Christmas x 2!

On Saturday the 21st we had Christmas number one at our house with the Jolleys and Grandma Susan and Grandpa Brian. Before our guest arrived we got out for some play. Here is Phoenix climbing the pole. I love how much of a monkey she is. 

 Rubix was not as happy. It was very windy outside and he was a bit cold. Our saving grace was that our local fire department was doing training with their tanker trunk. Rubix and I got to see them empty and fill the tank with water. I actually recognized one of the fire men who came to our house when we thought we had a gas leak.

 After yummy chicken enchiladas we all sat down for some opening of presents. I was surprised at how many gifts there were, but then again there were quite a few people.

 After the presents it was time to decorate and eat Christmas sugar cookies.

 Although I had to work on Monday and Tuesday, Christmas Eve, I was able to get off of work early to make it to the 3:30pm service. Here are the kids before the service.

 Our annual picture of me and the kids for Great Grandma Connie.

 The kids in the Christmas pj's thanks to Grandma Susan!

 Daddy and the kiddos!

 Us trying to do a selfie....total fail!

 The kiddos and I with our pajamas.

Christmas morning the kids slept in until 8:30am! We were blessed to have the Wordens join us for church and dinner. The kids had a blast playing with Zoe and Jade. They watched the Grinch for the one and only time (a record in our house for those who know how many times the kids typically watch the Grinch). I was able to get up at 7:30 am and prepare the pumpkin lattes, pumpkin pie oatmeal and frost the pumpkin scones. I finished all of the preparations right before everyone woke up which was awesome that I got to sleep in and get everything done in peace. I find it very funny at how the kids have always done a great job of sleeping in and not waking from excitement. 

 We did our usual tradition of opening our stockings while enjoying our pumpkin drinks. Afterwards we ate our oatmeal.

 Once our oatmeal was finished it was on to the main event. Here is Phoenix enjoying her new soccer goals

 Rubix received more race tracks. Axel received a very cool Shinkalion transformer train set from Japan that he wanted.

 The kids were really great about patiently waiting for each person to open a gift. They also did a great job of opening all of their gifts before playing with them. Phoenix was a little disappointed in the number of gifts and very much noticed she received one gift from us and one gift from Santa. Luckily, she is slowly maturing and didn't put up too much of a fuss.

 She was very sweet and made gifts and cards for everyone. Here is a great card that she made Keith and I. Axel and Phoenix purchased their first gift for us. Apparently, they had planned this for sometime. Axel kept asking me when I was going to Trader Joe's. They came with and then realized they didn't bring any money. I happily gave them a 20 dollar bill and told them to stick together. I also gave them a bag to put their gift in. They were extremely excited to shop, wait in line and purchase the gift for us independently. I am not too excited about the big tin of cookies that we now have to eat, but it was the thought that counts!

 Little Grammy is so good about sending books to the kids. The kids love the books.

 Grandma Sonia and Grandpa Bruce are so good about sending clothes each year. The kids always need clothes so it is nice for them to receive clothes and books rather than toys.

 Because we had guests on Christmas Eve we did not sing Happy Birthday to Jesus and enjoy the tirmasu like we usually do. Instead we had it after enjoying our ham sandwich left overs for lunch on Christmas Day. After lunch we surprised the kids with a trip to see Frozen II at the movie theaters. We all really enjoyed our day and ended it with good old grilled burgers and fries!

It was a lovely time enjoyed with friends and family. I am grateful to have the next couple of days off before the New Year. We are looking forward to some more family time. Keith and I have a date night which we really need as he has been sick for the past week and the rain has interfered with our weekly date rides.

We are gearing up for Phoenix's birthday party and sent out the evite today. I likely won't post another blog until after her birthday, which is January 21st. I have 2 months until my big test with lots of distractions so I am really cutting out any extras. Until next time, God Bless!

Biggest Blog Ever: Birthday parties, visits with Grandparents, Thanksgiving and more!

It is hard to know where to begin. I can't believe I forgot to do the blog after Thanksgiving. Well before Thanksgiving Rubix and I made a race track out of his Duplos Legos. He was so proud I took a picture of it. 

 He really loves cars still and continues to love to play with them and carry them everywhere.

 November 6th through 8th, Axel went to the Marin Headlands for his big 5th grade field trip. He said it wasn't nearly as fun as Coloma in 4th grade. I think the colder weather affected him.

 When Axel got back on Friday evening he was welcomed by Grandma Sonia and Grandpa Bruce. On Saturday we went to Golfland to play mini golf and enjoyed a few arcade games afterwards.

 Here is Grandpa and Rubix playing PacMan air hockey.

 Against Axel and Phoenix!

 Here Rubix and Axel are racing a car around a race track. I had to look away because it was making me sick, but Grandma and Grandpa were champs.

When we got home from Golfland, Daddy was home from his 15 day Asia tour. Here the kids are enjoying their gifts that Daddy brought home. 

Before Grandma and Grandpa left the kids had some fun outdoor play. It was a short visit, but good quality time. 

 A picture with the grandkids after dinner before our goodbyes.

 We have been to way too many birthday parties this year. Here is Phoenix at yet another birthday party playing air hockey. This one was actually at our one and only bowling alley that is still up and running.

 Here is Axel, the only boy, at an all girl party. I didn't realize when I dropped him off at the Escape room that there wasn't any other boys. When I went to go pick him up, I was surprised that there were no other boys. Apparently, all of the moms love Axel and think he is sweet and charming.

 The Sunday before Thanksgiving the 5 of us drove to Sacramento to go out to eat for Grandpa Brian's birthday. Here he is with Braylin and Aya.

 Sweet Axel with sweet Rubix patiently waiting for their food.

 Happy birthday Grandpa Brian! After dinner the kids played a bit at Auntie's house and then Axel and Phoenix went home to Grandma Susan's house while Rubix, Daddy and I drove home. It was really weird to be without Axel and Phoenix, but the 3 days went by very fast.

 Thanksgiving morning we left bright and early to drive back to Sacramento to beat the traffic. We enjoyed a long day of family fun and were able to visit with the Goldsteins.

 Great grandma Millie had all three of her children and all of her grandchildren under one roof. It was a special day that will be remembered for sure.

 It ended with fun cousin bath time and...

 Fun cousin dress up time.

 After a long Thanksgiving we enjoyed the long weekend with decorating the house and spending time together at home.

 Keith is really becoming quite the traveler. I wanted to share a few pictures from his Asia trip. This is one of many breakfast/dinner pictures that he sends me.

 The train.

 Keith getting to take a picture in the cockpit for Rubix.

 Here are some fun pictures of cousin adventures during the three days Axel and Phoenix stayed at Grandma's house.

 GG Millie with all of her grandchildren.

 The Szolushas on Thanksgiving.

 More yummy food pictures.

 Keith's favorite pictures of McDonalds!

 Who gets the bicycle?

 December has been one rainstorm after another. Rubix already fits into Axel's old raincoat and boots and loves to go stop around in the puddles.

 Phoenix with her new jacket that Grandma and Grandpa got for her.

 A picture I took one night when I was reminiscing about my childhood Christmas memories. How I love and miss the Eicks, Uranichs and Burgesses.

 Last weekend was the most exhausting of all with 3 events in one day. We did two Pump it Up parties in a row. One with Rubix's friends where he had a blast with Daniel and Sierra.

We then went to Vishak's party with Phoenix's friends. 

 I will end this post with Phoenix's first grade holiday performance on Tuesday the 17th. I was so incredibly proud of her. She was like a new person. She moved with the beat the entire time and belted her voice. I could actually hear her in the front row.

 She had a ton of confidence and did great in her dance where six 1st graders danced to a song in front of everyone. I was absolutely beaming from ear to ear as Keith was too.

 More pictures of Keith from Asia. I am so proud of how hard he has been working and at how much more he has stepped up at work. 

 We are looking forward to a lovely time tomorrow with family and celebrating Jesus birth this Wednesday. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!