Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was a good day. Ashlynn and I made our annual "Happy Birthday, Jesus" treats. Over the past few years I've made cupcakes and even brownies, but was always disappointed when almost no one ate them (other than my dad... such a loyal supporter!) and opted for other desserts, like pie. So, this year we made rice crispy treats... because who can resist a rice crispy treat? Well, they were gobbled up (mostly by my kids).
We had dinner with the whole family (minus Eric's brother, Brian) at my parents' house.
After dinner we opened gifts with the Ash side of the family.

Carter loved the Spot dog that Nana and Papa gave him


My dad sporting the safety vest we got him for when he goes out on his new bicycle.
Ashlynn got a bunch of Legos from Uncle Dave
Good times!

Christmas Day

Christmas was a pretty fantastic day!

I woke up extra early and watched the sun rise. Of course the kids didn't wake up until about 7:45. Figures.





I love her expression!



Carter REALLY got into tearing open packages


Carter didn't care that we hadn't removed the packaging from his bike helmet. He wore it with the cardboard, warranty info, and bell still attached.

Ashlynn was so excited to give the gifts she bought with my dad for our family. Here's Eric's presentation.



Ashlynn's gift from school.
After opening gifts we went outside so Ashlynn could try out her new bike and Carter could ride the tricycle that he was officially handed down. Both kids are going to need some practice.


Around mid-morning we headed over to Sierra Madre to open gifts with Eric's dad, Auntie Laurie, and Brian. Carter's favorite gift was a little Mickey Mouse.
He was also helpful with opening other people's gifts.
During naptime, Ashlynn had a great time building with the Legos that Uncle Dave gave her.
She was pretty good at following directions.
In the evening we had dinner with the whole family (Eric's side and my mom and dad, but no Dave because he had to work) at Eric's dad's house. I was busy keeping kids out of trouble and didn't take any photos. Bummer.

Hope you had a merry Christmas too!

Eric's Double Lightsaber

For Christmas, Eric got a double lightsaber (and some Star Wars figures... which I think makes him my oldest child).
Just before heading out for Christmas dinner, he busted them out of their packaging, put batteries in them and after playing with them himself, let the kids try them out. Here's some of the action.

Hey that doesn't quite look fair! (Carter somehow didn't seem to notice.)
Good thing they aren't real!
That girl had better watch out because her little brother is going to get her back someday!

ABCs

Here's a little Carter video. Not his best work on singing the ABCs but it shows his personality.

Legos

On Saturday Ashlynn and I went to a fifth birthday party for her friend Dillan. She spent most of her time building with Legos (it was a Lego themed party).

It is 5 days until Christmas.

All of the shopping for Ashlynn is finished.

Ashlynn now declares about a zillion times, "I want some Legos for Christmas!"

It ain't going to happen and it ain't going to be pretty when she realizes this.


(The other amusing thing about this is that my daughter is looking over my shoulder as I write this. My daughter, who can read just enough to know that I'm writing about her and Legos. She's wishing she could read better than she can.)

Kissmiss is Com-bing!

"Kissmiss is com-bing!" is was Carter announced for a number of days at the beginning of December. I guess it's here now!

Last Saturday Ashlynn had a great time with Papa. The two of them had rolled a ton of coins on one of the days she stayed home with croup last month and my dad had turned them in for paper money. On Saturday the two of them went shopping with the money to buy Christmas gifts for Eric, Carter and me. After shopping at Target, they picked up some ice cream from Baskin Robbins and wrapped all the gifts. It was a great Papa and Ashlynn bonding event.
Last Sunday at church our family read the scripture, lite the candles and said a prayer for the third week of Advent. Carter was a crack up. I wish we would have gotten it on video.
Immediately after, Ashlynn sung with the Little Lambs kindergarten choir.


While Ashlynn was at a choir party, we walked down to Starbucks. On our way, we came across Santa, so Carter had a little visit.


After Ashlynn got out of her party, I had to bring her down for a visit with Santa too!

On Monday I decided to try taking some photos that might be used for a Christmas card.



Finally on Tuesday morning, I got my opportunity for that Christmas card shot. I had just finished doing Ashlynn's hair before school. Carter decided to plop himself down on her lap and look in the mirror. I said, "Stay right there!" and grabbed the camera. Here's what I got (the "winning" photo being the one I posted at the top of this blog entry):


Ashlynn's school had their Christmas program on Tuesday too. Each grade sang two songs. Sounds like a simple and fair plan, right? Yea well, that means that about a zillion families pack into the school's fairly small cafeteria/auditorium (there were two performances but that still didn't help). Luckily, kindergarten was at the beginning, so we slipped out after 1st grade performed. ; ) Kindergarten sang "Feliz Navidad" and "Jingle Bells".


Fun times!