Jungle Bells/Mission Inn

A couple weeks ago, (right after visiting my brother) the kids came down with the flu and then I got it, then Steve got it. Anyway, after getting a little cabin fever we finally decided to start celebrating the Christmas season...with an old tradition and a new.
The new tradition was going to the Jungle Bells celebration they have going on for the month of December at the San Diego Zoo. We loved it. Yes, it was cold, but SOOOOOOO beautiful with all the lights and so fun to be at the zoo after dark (they typically close at dusk).
First stop, the polar bears.

Some of the light displays we saw. Really, really cool.

Then the following week, we made our way to the Mission Inn in Riverside. We go every year with my parents...even pre-kids. And yes it was cold again....FINALLY feeling like winter!!!

A Christmas tradition I hold near and dear to my heart....and one I didn't think we would do because the day we did plan on doing it, we all got sick. We have never gone the week of Christmas, so it was insane...but worth it.

December in Morro Bay

My mom and I decided to head up with the kids to Morro Bay for the weekend. We went at the beginning of the month and had a wonderful time. It poured all weekend, but any time all the kids get to hang out, it's sunny in my book.

Gideon LOVED that piano...maybe it's a sign of things to come.

Sieger giving Gideon a kiss. As much as that bird hates most of the family, he is super sweet around the kids.

Sieger diving in to give Esther a kiss too.

Dress up time.

My mom, Eric, Pia, Colt and Matilda were all at a gymnastics meet and my kids had to nap, so we stayed home. After naptime though we went for a walk. Even though it was REALLY cold, it had stopped raining for a couple hours and we took that as a chance to GET OUT!!!

My boys.

My girls chillin'.

On the Sunday we were there, it did stop raining for a bit and we took off to the park across the street. Felt SO good to get out and get some great pictures of the cousins.

" Wow, Uncle Eric your hands are HUGE!!!"

Gideon's Big Day

Well we celebrated our little boy's 1st birthday party a day after on December 5th and even though it was incredibly cold, we had a blast. We decided to rent a bounce house and it was a hit. Plus all that playing and jumping kept the kids warm and our house intact.

Gideon getting a little alone time in the bounce house before his guests arrive.

Gideon and his cousin, Sarah. Aren't their matching shirts cute??

More bounce house fun.

My mom made Gideon a sock monkey and as you can see it's a BIG hit.

Our silly cat...LOVES tissue and wrapping paper.

I love this picture. Such a fun celebration.

Gideon got a lot of help from his cousins and his daddy to blow out his candle. Steve decorated the cake by the way...didn't he do an amazing job??

Nothing like the icing off a candle.

One happy and messy boy.

Giving Thanks Day 23 (sorry a day late)

1. Recovering quickly from being sick.
2. Jungle Bells ~ Went to the zoo & enjoyed their Christmas decorations and shows.
3. Long drives & good naps ~ Gives Steve & I some time to talk without being interrupted.
4. Seat warmers ~ Our Pilot has them and I LOVE them..feels good for my back too.
5. All Christmas presents are wrapped.
6. That Esther is starting to remember words to songs & singing.
7. That Gideon is walking SO much....tries to run...too cute.
8. Coupons ~ Why wouldn't I be thankful for those???
9. Stuffed animals that make noise ~ Make Gideon smile HUGE.
10. Early mornings ~ Give me some time to myself, even if I pay for them later.

Giving Thanks Day 22

Instead of thanking Him for 10 things today, I am just gonna thank Him for one BIG one. The kids, Steve and I all came down with the flu this week and even though we missed going to Mission Inn to look at lights and I'm missing a mom Christmas party tonight, I am praising Him that it happened THIS week instead of next. I would hate for the family to be sick on Christmas. See, there is ALWAYS a silver lining to things....thanks for letting me see it, God.

Giving Thanks Day 21

1. The NewsMirror ~ I love our little local paper & it gave us some good leads on Christmas lights last night.
2. Flannel sheets ~ SO wonderful on cold nights.
3. Bubble baths ~ Nothing can quite lift my kids' spirits like 'em.
4. Fiber 1 bars ~ Yummy and filling snack.
5. Organic food items ~ I love that it was made more available these days.
6. Trader Joe's ~ Love that store, plus they give my kids stickers & balloons.
7. That my husband loves his job.
8. That I got all my Christmas cards out yesterday.
9. That the kids woke up this morning feeling SO much better.
10. When my kids have just a cold or a little bug ~ I am so blessed that they recover so quickly and that both my kids are SO healthy.....TRULY blessed!!!

Giving Thanks Day 20

1. My inversion table ~ Helps me decompress and helps my sciatica.
2. Aquaphor ~ Heals and protects my babys' bums. It's like a miracle ointment!
3. Little People ~ My kids love those toys & they can play for hours.
4. My good eaters ~ My kids really do eat almost everything. I don't have to fix them "something different" I feel pretty blessed.
5. Our fireplace ~ Love putting E & G in front of it after a bath.
6. Musical greeting cards ~ They just make me smile.
7. WW yogurt ~ Only 1pt and SO delicious.
8. My cutting board ~ It's bamboo and stores 8 plastic sheets, so easy to use one throw it in the sink & grab another.
8. Our San Diego Zoo/Wild Animal Park passes ~ Brings me joy that my kids are growing up loving and respecting other living things.
9. Encouraging email & letters.
10. Our cat litter box ~ That way our cats can be stricting indoor cats & stay safe.

Giving Thanks Day 19

1. Address labels ~ Makes addressing Christmas cards SO much easier.
2. Walgreens photo dept. ~ Just so easy to sit at your computer, send in your photos & pick them up an hour later.
3. Christmas sugar cookies ~ They are just a simple sugar cookie, but you put frosting and sprinkles on them and they become so pretty & taste SO much better.
4. Online checking
5. Honey cough syrup ~ Love to have an option to give Esther besides medicine.
6. Baby Bee All Better Balm ~ Helps owies heal quicker and smells SUPER yummy.
7. EmergenC ~ Helping the Crandell family through the flu season.
8. My Livestrong bracelet ~ A reminder to pray for those who have cancer & thank God for those who survived it.
9. Hand me down toys ~ Such a neat thing to know that someone else loved & played with the toys my kids now play with.....plus I like the whole reuse/recycle thing.
10. Disappointments ~ God's way of reminding me to continually trust in Him.

Giving Thanks Day 16

1. Hulu ~ Just finished watching a Top Chef episode.
2. That my parents live in town.
3. My warm, cozy robe.
4. My brother & my sister-in-law ~ They are there when I need them.
5. My niece, Matilda ~ I love her laugh & how she's SO creative & SO good with Esther.
6. My nephew, Colt ~ He has no fear & he's crazy, yet I see him with Gideon & he's SO sweet.
7. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf ~ I love that there is a better coffee chain than Starbucks.
8. Hearing rain against the windows.
9. Light timers ~ I love how the Christmas lights just "magically" come on.
10. My messed up feet ~ I don't ever spend lots of money on shoes, since wearing shoes hurts, lol.

On a side note: My mom and I are taking the kids up to visit my brother this weekend, so I won't be posting my "Giving Thanks" list. But I will be back posting on Monday. :)

After a bath.....

Giving Thanks Day 15

1. Being able to wear flip flops in December.
2. Living so close to the freeway, where it's easy to jump on to go somewhere, but far enough that we never hear cars going by.
3. Naturally wavy hair ~ I wake up sometimes and don't have to do anything with it.
4. Having hair ~ I think of all those people who are going through chemo therapy or have a disease where they are losing theirs...and I am so blessed with so much that I was able to donate 9 inches last May.
5. Our fish tank ~ Steve always maintains it and I just get to sit back and enjoy.
6. Super Target ~ I can buy a pair of jeans for Gideon, organic bananas and $1 light up New Year tiara for Esther, all in the same place!!!
7. Having people call or email me to pray, listen or ask me advice. I know it's part of being the coordinator for MOTs, but I truly feel honored and blessed that people call on me.....God is SO good.
8. Esther is starting to pray ~ I love listening to her. Last night was the first night she prayed all by herself....and it was the SWEETEST thing I have ever heard.
9. Advent calendars ~ Hanging ones or chocolate ones, great to countdown to Christmas.
10. My back pain ~ Gets me to slow down sometimes and remember HE is in control, not me.

Disneyland w/Grandma and Grandpa

Steve's parents took us to Disneyland for Christmas....a great present!!!

Look, Mom, no hands.

Self-portrait.

Tea cups are SO fun.

Goofy's house are decorated for Christmas...too cute.

Esther meeting Minnie and showing Minnie her Minnie. :)

Gideon kicking it in Minnie's sink.

What a surprise meeting Donald Duck.

Gotta take a break and EAT!!!!

Hope this won't happen again for 12 years!!!!

Peek a boo!!

I love Small World at Christmas.

The whole family with Pooh Bear.

Tigger gave Esther the BIGGEST hug...he didn't wanna let go, and either did she.

Waiting for the Christmas parade to start....wootwoot!!!

What a way to end a super fun day!!!!