We're going back to Cali...

****FYI*****There are many posts with MANY pictures***ENJOY!
the posts go all the way through christmas day!


Our Christmas this year started with a trip to Cali, first to spend some time with my grandparents and then my husbands Cousin. It was an adventure to say the least mixing with all of the California drivers, I felt like I was on a movie set and they were all stunt cars in a car chase except there were no cameras and it was not choreographed! The kids traveled really well and we saw the most beautiful sunset on our way there. The trip was full of great memories...here are a few of them...






Of course while we were there we went to see the lights at the Oakland temple, it is something I have done since I was a little girl, and the Oakland Temple is where my parents were married. The kids love all of the lights, and they were troopers when I wanted to take a lot of pictures even though it was kind of cold. There are a ToN of pictures but I narrowed it down to a few.








The kids loved the fact that taking a walk in Grandmas neighborhood meant being able to walk down the middle of the street. My Grandma has lived in that house for over 50 years, it is the cutest neighborhood with the most adorable one story homes. We also got to spend some time with my Aunt Suzanne and my cousin Kira. The kids loved them! It was fun to see them and hang out.







Besides a slight fear of the cats, (especially when the cat were at eye level) it was the most amazing, relaxing time. My grandparents house is a house you never want to leave. It is so homey and fun and welcoming. Thanks you so much grandma and grandpa we hope to brave the California drivers again and be back soon!






The last half of our trip was spent at Prince's cousins house. Prince's aunt was visiting form Nigeria so it was fun to meet her and spend time with her. Their daughter also had a birthday party while we were there, it was lots of fun to meet some new people and see some we had not seen in a while. It was great to get out just the four of us and have some vacation time together.

Pre-Christmas FUN!

Our week of Christmas Festivities started out with some fun in the leaves. The leaves had all fallen of the trees while we were in California so the kids were excited to get in their and go crazy (with a little help from their aunties), but that Monday morning we went and saw the long awaited Princess and the Frog. My sister for the longest time has showed Samarrah the previews online adn she was so excited to go. So all of us girls went (Samarrah went decked out in her Princess gear). It wa the most fantastic, hilarious, wonderful movie. I LOVED it. I could not stop laughing, it was so fun to share experiences like that with Samarrah!








Monday night we headed to Sams Town to check out their lights, they were beautiful it was so fun and magical! It was so fun to feel the Christmas Season. After the lights we grabbed a quick bite at mickey d's and raced home to drop off the kids with a sitter and then we were headed to the Forgotten Carols. I have heard the CD and even read the book but this was my first timeseeing it performed, it was magical. My parent got us great seats and I hope to do this every year. The message is so important not just at Christmas but all of the time. It was great at the end to link arms with my hubby on one side and mom on the other and sing "We can be together forever someday". I bawled the whole time. It was exactly what I needed that day to lift my spirits.








THe Tuesday before Christmas was Las Vegas bowl day. We had a party with lots of yummy food and hung out and watched the game, even the kids got into it. On one of the plays when BYU had the ball my mom told the kids to jump up and down and yell touchdown, they did and BYU actually scored a touchdown, they were so excited and thought that it was because of them. They even took care of all of the cleanup when the game was over, it was a Blast!






THe day before Christmas Eve we all headed out to the Bellagio to check out their gardens and enjoy the fountains. We braved Las Vegas Blvd. which is not something we do often. The parking garage was FULL, luckily we drove down and aisle and immediatly in fornt of us a car started backing out, it was mayhem. The kids loved all of the lights in the gardens, but definetly not the crowds. The fountains were beautiful like always, it was so fun to go and spend time together enjoying the Christmas season, the days leading up to Christmas were filled with so much fun.

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve my brother and his family came over for dinner and presents. We went with the always traditional chicken enchiladas:) They were super scrumptious! There was also a fantastic edible arrangement that my grandparents sent, my kids could not get enough of it Yummy cantalope suckers!. My dad surprised my mom with a super cool new sewing machine. We are ALL so excited to break it in! My super talented sister Alyson made each family Christmas pajama pants, they are so comfy and I love the way little kids look in flannel pj pants, they look so grown up. My sister also makes the cutest teddy bear rag quilts for her nieces and nephew for their second Christmas, this year she made Ayo's, it is the cutest thing EVER! I love that my kids have these Precious gifts that are made by family, it is so special! Here are a few pics: