Meeeerrrrry Christmas

This year the family decided to mix things up a bit and rent a cabin in Yosemite for Christmas. I ended up finding the most wonderful cabin/house (2700 sq ft) in Fish Camp which was about 3 miles away from the southern gates to Yosemite. Let me tell you, the cabin was perfect... it had all the amenities from home too. The owner decorated it Christmassy for us... Christmas tree, wreathes, garland, cute decorations, etc. It had plenty of room for everyone to spread out also. We'll definitely rent it again... maybe in the summer. We were worried that we wouldn't have any snow to play in but luckily they had a big storm the week before we arrived and while we were there we got BIG snow. Brian estimated a couple of feet. He almost got stuck (with K) in Oakhurst. He headed down there to get gas and call his parents but came back up because the roads were so bad... then we heard that they closed the road. We had snowball fights, made a slope for sledding right outside of the cabin, made a snowman (complete with coal for his eyes and a carrot nose), played games, ate a lot and just enjoyed each other. That's what Christmas is about, right? The guys (my brother-n-law and Brian) stomped us (the girls) at Scattegories! I'd love to get a cabin every year.

The kids had a blast opening gifts (I knew they would). M got up at 5:30 and came right to our room but surprisingly didn't go look at his presents from Santa without us. We held him back as long as we could... until about 6:30 and then headed downstairs (see picture in collage). M ran right to the cookies and milk that we left Santa and screamed "he ate the cookies and milk". M had also written Santa a letter. Boy were they happy. M got the Imaginext Fire Station which comes with guys, a fire truck, training tower and accessories as his big gift and K got a My Little Pony toy that comes with a roller coaster, concessions stand and ferris wheel. She's been asking for it for months. M got a Bakagon, Doodle Pro and some little stuff in his stocking and K got a Doodle Pro and some Littlest Pet Shop toys. They also get some candy but they weren't really into the candy this year for some reason.

We enjoyed breakfast and then started opening our presents. Of course, everyone went crazy overboard on the kids. I say I'm not going to every year but I still do. I love this age. K has been walking around the house for weeks saying, "it's Christmastime Mommy" and today we were at the park and she was walking around telling everyone, "Happy Holidays." I'm not sure where she got that from.

Snow fun.
Click to see bigger.

Brrrr, it's cold.

The cabin had a room with huge windows. Oh how I miss having my morning coffee in there. This was the view on Christmas morning.

K and I snuggling early Christmas morning. Coffee... one of the food groups, right?

Miscellaneous pictures from the trip. Top left-El Capitan and Half Dome on our way home (look at that sky). Top middle- M super excited about sleeping in the top bunk. Top right - Santa came. Middle - K and her pig that sings Old MacDonald. Middle right- We even had to put our clothes on the top of the car in Brian's hockey bag.
(click on the picture to enlarge)

M wrote a letter to Santa.

K, laughing at her pig.

Transformer!!

"Here's some milk little kitty".

This silly hat sang a song. Isn't he cute? And so photogenic.

This cat drove us crazy the entire way up there. MEOW! The kids couldn't figure out what was going on. M thought there might be a real cat in one of the boxes. We STILL can't figure out how to turn it off!

Not a great picture but at least we're all in it. Poor K. She was so cold and miserable. "Wanna go home."

The gang.

Wish my mom would have been in it. She's taking the picture.

Leaving you with one last picture of Yosemite. The sky really was that blue.

Wish I had time to write more.

All Aboard!!!

Thursday evening we took the kids on a train ride based on the The Polar Express children's book. We heard about it last year but the tickets were completely sold out so this year we bought them right when they went on sale in September. We cozied the kids up in their jammies, went to dinner and then to the train station. Once they heard the roaring whistle of the train they beamed with excitement. We had to wait in line for about 15 minutes and it was so cold. They served cookies and hot chocolate while they narrated the book on our way to the North Pole. They also had servers that tap danced through the aisle. The kids were so into it. Once again, I forgot my video camera. Some mom, huh? After arriving at the North Pole, Santa came on board and talked to each of the kids, posed for pictures and gave each child a silver bell. If you haven't read the book or seen the movie... go get it before Christmas. You'll understand why he gives out bells. It's a wonderful movie for kids and grown ups. Well do this again next year for sure ... I'm all about traditions. While we were on the train, I said I'd like to make this a tradition. Brian laughed and said he could see me making M and K go on the train in their jammies when their 15 and 13.

Before the train took off.

Brrrr, it's cold. Look at my red nose! Finally a few decent pictures of me with the kids. (usually it's Brian and K)

He was so excited.

He did this when he saw the hot (barely warm) chocolate and cookies coming.

He liked it.

So did she. What a mess!

Couldn't help but post this one of the boys. They have such a special relationship.

The big guy. He gave them each a jingle bell.

Singing jingle bells on the way back to the station. She'll sing it at the top of her lungs (unless you ask her too, then it's Old MacDonald.)

Yeah, I'm off for an entire week over Christmas. My shopping is done and my gifts are wrapped. I can't wait.

Check this out.

I'm not sure if I'm going to show M this yet but I think it's cool. Click on the link to see the personalized video from Santa. You can make one for your kids too. (and it's free)

Santa Video

MOMS Club Christmas Party

On Wednesday we went to the MOMS Club Christmas Party at The Club. They had yummy snacks and treats, craft projects, cookie decorating and even an appearance by Santa (again, M's seen him about 8 times this year). I worked until 3 and the party started at 3:30 so it was rush, rush. Thanks to Willy for getting the kids in their party attire.

K... drinking her juice. She's not eating or drinking anything lately. She didn't even want a rice crispy treat. I think she may be getting a new tooth or something (runny nose...etc.)

Cookie time.

M gave Santa the cookie he decorated and was super excited that he took it. It was too cute. K didn't want anything to do with him. On the way home, M gave her a talking to. He told her if she didn't start talking with Santa and telling him what she wants for Christmas, he wasn't going to give her anything.

Someone came and entertained the kids with Christmas Carols and musical instruments. The kids had a blast. I wish I would have had my video camera.

K's getting into it.



Would you believe this is the boy that gets so easily embarrassed? Looks like Saturday Night Fever, doesn't it?

Shake it, shake it!!

Jingle Bells.

Crafts - Don't look grandparents & family

We enjoy doing craft projects together now that K is a little older and can participate too. We usually make Christmas presents for the family (from the kids) because they are so much more meaningful than anything store-bought. The grandparents have all the pajamas they need!! I got a great idea this year from Family Fun Magazine. All Mommy's should have a subscription to that magazine (or at least take a look at their website). We made Monogrammed Key Chains using Sculpey Clay (Polymer Clay) that hardens after you bake it. M liked the glow in the dark of course. The kids were able to do most of the project themselves using our Play-Doh supplies. I am excited about how these turned out and can't wait for everyone to see them. Pictures will be at the bottom of this post so don't keep looking... you'll ruin the surprise. You can look at the next 4 pictures.

A horrible self-timer picture but at least we're all in it. I'm already in my jammy pants.
We're making Christmas door hangers.

K loves snowmen.

M is working on a reindeer door hanger. (K calls reindeer "Bambi's")

M and I worked on this one while K was in preschool.
I don't think she wouldn't have been much help!
M loves snowglobes so we had a great time making this one.

CLOSE FAMILY

DON'T LOOK ANY FURTHER UNTIL AFTER CHRISTMAS.

M... hard at work.

K enjoyed playing with the clay.

Bake for 15 minutes.

Here they are. These are for their teachers.
You can do whatever you want to the clay. I chose to keep it simple and use letter stamps so the kids could do the project themselves.
Here's the link for the instructions.

I bought white paper bags and had the kids decorate them to use as gift bags. K liked this more than making the key chains. She is obsessed with coloring and asks if she can do it about 3 times a day.

Our artist.

Made with love by the kids.

Off to bed.

Woodland Christmas Parade

Saturday morning I took the kids to the Christmas Parade in Woodland. Brian worked. They had a great time. The weather was chilly but at least the sun was out. I couldn't believe how long of a parade it was. We left after 2 hours and 15 minutes and it still wasn't over. Once M realized they threw candy, he sure liked it even more. After he ran out and grabbed the first one, he looked at me and said, "this is awesome!!"

Saturday afternoon, the kids and I made Christmas Cookies. We do it every year. Other than the fighting between the kids on who gets to do the flour, sugar, butter, etc. it was a great time.

Just about every evening, the kids ask to drive around and look at Christmas lights. It's an easy and relaxing end to our very busy day.

I love this time of year.

Collecting rocks before the parade started.

Jumping with excitement when the parade started.

Cute one, huh?

I had to bribe him to let her hug him.
(He loves it, can't you tell by the forced smile?)

K did this anytime something loud went by... or even just in case.

M said his favorite part of the parade were the cowboys. You know, the cowboys on horses that pretend to be shooting. K said she liked the ballerina's and the horses. AND the candy of course.

Cookie time.

We used this instead of rolling them out. I loved the look of them but it takes a long time to push the cookie dough into all the holes. The kids liked doing it though... reminded them of Play-Doh.

He really did use the mixer.

The time we've been waiting for... time to eat them.

She did this each time we turned the mixer on.
On a side note, this is me every night by about 8 pm!!

M funny. The other day the phone rang and it was of course downstairs and I was upstairs. M and I started running down the stairs when all of a sudden he gave me a funny look and said, "no need to panic mom. We'll get it!"
More later.