Highlights for the month were certainly having Grammy out for a quick 5 day visit. Shorter than most years, but every bit as fun. We enjoyed afternoons of baking and gingerbread making, playing old maid with the kids and running Christmas errands. My Mom helped me assemble millions of gift bags for my neighbors, friends and the gals at Blake's office-- full of Trader Joe's goodies. We watched Christmas movies and attended all of the kids' activities and choir practices. It was a wonderful time and went by much too quickly. More highlights included the amazing MCO Christmas concert in Orange County with Grandma. Evelyn and Anna and I headed up the freeway right after school and met Grandma for the concert. We enjoyed watching friends from our neighborhood perform and felt so spoiled listening to the most beautiful music on earth in the most beautiful performing hall in Southern California (in my opinion.) THANK YOU to Grandma for making that special Christmas night happen.
We enjoyed our traditional trip up to Universal Studios. Always so great to visit at Christmas time- especially City Walk with the huge Christmas tree and big screen tv with Christmas music videos playing during dinner. We love the Hilton Hotel right there- so close to the park. It was a fun day for sure and we loved every minute-- except for the minute that Blake forced the kids to wait in line for Walking Dead until they about died of terror and I took them out of line and then he was angry with me for being "soft." I guess it's a pet peeve of mine when parents force their kids on scary rides before they are ready. Haha! I couldn't take it!
We had a beautiful day with the Marstons for our Annual Marston Family Christmas. Nancy and Herb made the most delicious breakfast-- our traditional Swiss Pie and chocolate croissants with yummy bacon, fruit and eggs. And most delicious dinner of prime rib! We had so much fun playing games, opening gifts, hot tubbing, relaxing, looking at Christmas cards from years' past, drinking hot cocoa, eating cheesecake, chatting and enjoying each other's company. We were SO SURPRISED and SO THRILLED to open Disneyland Passes for the 2020 year! We haven't had passes to Disneyland since Grant was a baby. It was such a fun surprise and we've already scheduled a bunch of Disney days for the year to get the most out of our passes! So exciting! We felt spoiled in every way by Grandma and Grandpa. Such a fun Christmas!
This month we enjoyed quite a few parties! We helped to host a farewell for a sweet young lady who is in our ward and also worked for Blake the past year. It was so great to be a part of her mission preparations! We enjoyed Festivus for the Rest of Us.... our annual Seinfield-themed Christmas party! The white elephant exchange was really something else- with one gift being a very much alive lobster!!!!
We hosted Christmas Eve at our house and New Year's Eve with friends. It's probably my favorite way to spend the holiday or the weekend-- having friends and/or family over for a party! I love playing games, prepping food platters, thinking up party ideas and decorating. It's very much up my alley.
Christmas day was a peaceful and quiet day. We had quite the party the night before with friends over for a Nutcracker themed dinner, dessert and candy bar game! We always open Grammy's stocking bag on Christmas Eve-- this year was no exception. The kids love seeing their favorite treats and goodies and other fun items Grammy has picked for them. We made cookies for Santa and watched Home Alone. Because of the full day, the kids slept in a little on Christmas day and didn't wake up until 7am to open stockings and gifts-- the kids were particularly thrilled by their new ping pong table and Evelyn by her pickle ball set and microphone. Anna loved her new chalkboard and white board easel for playing school. She loved her new dolls and polly pockets. Dane and Evelyn mostly asked for clothes-- especially Dane who wanted to change his style from soccer jerseys and nike shorts, to surf shorts and skater shirts. Grant only wanted an experience this year so he didn't have many gifts under the tree but is excited for a trip with mom this year! We loved opening up special ornaments from Grandma and Grandpa and the sweetest gifts ever for each child. Money, ties for Dane, darling jacket for Anna, a water ring for Grant which he is thrilled about! We enjoyed a yummy breakfast together and saw Jumangi at the movie theatre. We ate a turkey and mashed potato dinner and then went in the hot tub and watched a movie together. It was a wonderful day.
While the kids were out of school, we spent the mornings sleeping in, hot tubbing, making pancakes and funnel cakes, watching movies, getting our nails done, skiing, night skiing (Blake and Grant), having playdates, visiting Seaworld, getting ice cream from Handels in the middle of the day, cuddling the kittens, opening advents- even kitty advents. We celebrated Blake and I's anniversary with the kids at Cheesecake Factory- (huge favorite around here), we went to the Holiday Bowl downtown with Grandma and Grandpa to watch USC verses Iowa. Fun to get to do something nice for Grandma after all she does for us!!! Around the house, we spent endless hours playing pickle ball, pictionary and ping pong! Darn it all.... I miss it already and it's only MONDAY after break. Love spending time with my kids.... although the lady behind the counter at Sees' candy might beg to differ!~ She witnessed me taking big deep breathes while all the kids were talking to me at once-trying to temper my patience- haha! She thought it was so funny she said-"bless your heart, mom" and gave me a whole bag full of free chocolate lollipops. The kids thought that was pretty great. It was a good day.
Can't believe we are starting a new year-- 2020 here we come!
