SNOW much fun

The day after Christmas we went up to Big Bear with Matt's family for a few days.  His parents rented a beautiful house with beautiful views.  The weather was sunny and their was lots of snow to play in (they got 5 inches on Christmas Day).  The kids had so much fun.  Quinn and Mackenzi loved sliding down the hills on their bottoms...who needs sleds?  Jace LOVED making snow balls.  After spending the morning playing with the kids in the snow, Matt got to go snowboarding with his brothers.  He hadn't been in a few years, so he really enjoyed himself.  We had an awesome time...

Thank you Rick and Wendy!!  It was so much fun!

Our Christmas 2010

We had a wonderful Christmas this year.  It was busy, but I'm glad we got to spend time with all of our family!  On Christmas Eve, we went over to Matt's Great Uncle and Aunt's house.  We usually go over there with his family to go to Mass, but we got a mix up on the time this year.  So, we visited for a bit, then went to my parents house.  We had so much fun seeing my Grandparents (who live in Yosemite), Aunts and Uncles, and cousins that we don't get to visit with much.  Mackenzi was in heaven playing with her cousins Allie and Kelsea.  We had a delicious dinner (Prime Rib and Ham) and the kids got spoiled with lots of presents! 

 My brother Ryan, sister Dana, and Me

 The kids fell asleep on the way home, which was good because  Santa and Mrs. Claus had a big job ahead of them! Santa brought Mackenzi a Barbie house and a Rapunzel doll.  He brought the boys a jumper!

 Mackenzi only got half way down the stairs when she saw her present.  She was so excited!!

 They loved everything that was stuffed in their stockings

 We waited for a bit, then we opened presents.  The kids were so excited for all the goodies they got.

 Matt's Mom came over and we opened some more presents.  We visited with her for a bit and had breakfast, then it was time for Christmas with Matt's dad and Wendy.  The kids were spoiled even more.  They got lots of games, a popcorn machine, and some other goodies.  We spent some time with them, then it was off for dinner at Wendy's sister's house with their family. 

It was a busy day, but we had an awesome Christmas.  We are so blessed to have so much family.  I didn't get very many pictures this year, I guess I was too busy spending time with our loved ones, and enjoying the holiday!  

{flashback friday} Pictures of Christmas Past and Present

There seems to be a pattern with Santa Pictures...

no tears

 tears

 no tears

 tears

 no tears

Merry Christmas

From Our Family to Yours!!

I wont be blogging until after Christmas, so I wanted to share our Christmas card and wish you all a very Merry Christmas.  I hope you all have a wonderful holiday.

It's Raining...It's Pouring...

Southern California has been hit with a major storm this past week.  I'm takin' just under 10 inches in the past 7 days.  This has caused some major water in the reservoir behind our house.  Here is a picture looking to the west...

 and looking to the east.

 When we first moved in to our home, there wasn't any water in that reservoir.  They filled some during the summer from another reservoir, but after the rain, it looks more like  we live on lake view property!  My goodness.  The rain has caused a little bit of cabin fever in our house.  We didn't have much to do yesterday, so we stayed in our jammies most of the morning and kept busy.  We watched movies and colored...

 We scooped, pushed, and poured beans with dump trucks...

 And then when there was the one and only break in the  rain and patches of blue sky...we quickly put on our shoes and jackets and ran outside to play.  The kids needed some fresh air and Hurley needed to play fetch!

 The kids couldn't have been happier!!!

Jolly Old Elf

We took the kids (in the POURING rain) to see Santa yesterday.  Mackenzi (of course) was thrilled to see him and sit right next to him.  When he asked what she wanted for Christmas she said, (all irritated) "I already told you...a Rapunzel Barbie".   I guess Santa forgot he already made a visit to her preschool and she told him then what she wanted!  Jace did great (pictured in the middle).  He was the one to told me previously that he didn't want to sit on Santa's lap...but he did, and was all smiles.  He even tried to get Santa to laugh by telling a 2 year old joke, saying "underpants" in a goofy voice (Which for some reason makes my kids laugh HUGE belly laughs).  Quinn was super excited until Santa grabbed him and put him up on his knee.  He started {almost} crying and said he wanted to get down.  We told him he had to smile one quick time then he could get down.  So he did.  And this is what we got.  I think it's pretty darn cute. 

Mackenzi (4.5 years), Jace & Quinn (2 years 10 months)

Mackenzi's Performance

Last Friday was Mackenzi's Christmas performance at her preschool.  She was very excited...and we all know she loves to perform!  There was one downfall, Daddy was out of town for business, so he missed it.  There were a lot of people there to watch her though, so she was still happy!!

Of course, she did a great job.

 Mackenzi and her teachers

 Her fan club

 Quinn didn't want to be in the pic, so here I am with Mackenzi and Jace

Spoiled??

While we had fun at Kenzi's preschool and Auntie's house yesterday, poor Hurley was left outside in the rain.  Well, to my defense, it wasn't actually raining...just drizzling and sprinkling.  When we got home, I dried her off and put down a towel by the backdoor for her to lay on.  She was rolled up in the tiniest ball her 75 pound body could get into.  So I moved her to a much cozier spot.

 Ahhh, much better.

She's not spoiled or anything, right?

Yeah, I didn't think so!

A Special Day

Yesterday was Mackenzi's last real day of preschool before Christmas break.  On Friday she has her big Christmas performance.  We decided to take her teacher's gifts too since Friday will be kind of chaotic.  Here's what we gave them.

Baskets filled with a candle, chocolate covered pretzels, a personalized coffee mug and a gift card to Starbucks. 

A close up of the tag...

 Dana was nice enough to watch Jace and Quinn so that I could volunteer for the day in Mackenzi's class.  It was so fun to see her interact with all her friends in her school environment.  They got a special visitor that day. 

Santa!!

 They all got to sit on Santa's lap.  Mackenzi asked for a Rapunzel Barbie.  Then she told Santa that Mommy (that would be me) should be on the NAUGHTY list this year!!!  WHAT?!?!  I assured Santa that I have been nothing but nice.  He said I might just be getting potatoes or rocks in my stocking this year! That little stinker!!

I sure had fun in her classroom.  Her teacher put me to work.  Taking down bulletin boards, filing paperwork in the kid's cubbies, working on an art project with the kids.  I was in heaven!  Thanks again, Dana!!

These Boots are Made for...

walkin' dancin'...

 And that's just what they'll do...

 One of these days these boots are gonna walk dance all over you!

Mackenzi and Kelsea wore their new pink boots (from Boppa and Nana) to dance class this week to practice for their performance.  Can you guess what song their dancing to?