December's Instagrams

Audrey's voive recital today.  Singing "Castle On A Cloud" She was so nervous but pulled it off beautifully.  Thank you Chrissy for teacher all she knows.  We know she didn't get her skills from me.

Watching Elf and getting Christmas up. Feeling festive even though we spent all afternoon at the park. 

Santa. Gingerbread. Nutcracker. Candles. Elf. #myfouryearoldboymeltsmyheart

Joshua was complaining that the sugar bugs were hurting his teeth.  So off to Dad's office we went. And anything Joshua does, Austin wants to do too. #bigbrotheradmiration #cavityfree #ihaveacrushonthemaninblack

Rudy's BBQ.  Twice in four days.  It's that good. 

Christmas kisses. 

Chistmas parade.  Complete with fake snow and firewroks set to Christmas music.  That was a first for me, watching fireworks while listening to Hark the Herald, Angels Sing. My heart is heavy for all those suffering and it makes me enjoy the little things and not take things for granted.  (Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting)

Glory to the Newborn King nativity display.  There were over 600 nativities from all over the world. Audrey got to sing and there was even a nativity to keep Austin entertained.  

My very own Rudolph. 

Oppan AJA sytle

Austin's first movie.  And it only took $40 worth of popcorn and slushies to keep him occupied. And his memor.  #whengrandmaisheremomischoppedliver
(We saw Rise Of the Guardians) 

My very favorite Christmas gift. Priceless and nonreturnable.  He's mine forever. 

And since we've no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. #snowmakesagoodsnack

Over 12 years ago, Dave surprised me and took me to see Les Miserable in San Francisco as one of our first dates.  So it only made sense to go see the movie together. #thistimewithababysitterathome #thistimewithpopcorn #russellcrowecanactbutnotsing #hewasbetteringladiator

 

New Year's Eve

We welcomed in 2013 at our friends Megan & Jeff's house, with Chrissy & Pete, and Felisha and Tim. We only planned on staying until 10 or so, but then we started playing games (The Newlywed Game), and then Jeff put on an amazing fireworks show.  We stayed until way after midnight.

Most of the kids.  They were deep into their play and would not break character for this picture.  Which makes me love it even more.
Hannah, Austie, McKay, Vivien, Audrey & Riley.

Happy 2013!

 

Christmas Visitors

Memor, Fafa, and Aunt Ritz came to celebrate Christmas with us! And being the crazy festive people we are, we picked them up at the airport like this:
 

We went straight to our new house so they could see it.  Walls weren't painted yet the color they are now. Memor and her new little sidekick. 

We ate at Rudys, (picture is turned and I too lazy to go fix it)

saw some awesome Christmas lights, 

 

 

 

Dave was on call and had to go in for an emergency and I got to go assist (in my church clothes), 

cleaned up for church, 

smashed in Austin's car seat so we could drive around and see more lights, 

(worth being smashed)

 

saw a movie (Rise of the Guardians), 

decorated gingerbread houses/trains, 

(the girls...hearts)

(the boys...fire)

had our first annual Christmas Eve talent show (Joshua and Fafa did magic tricks), 

(these lovely ladies played the hand bells)

(and then Austin wanted in on the fun)

and then Dave and I did our "Feats of Flexibility" act.  I accidentally kicked him in the face.  Whoops. 

We had our nativity and Audrey made such a sweet Mary.

 

 

 

We started our new tradition of Christmas Eve sweat suits instead of pajamas.  

and then read books with Auntie Ritz.

 

On Christmas morning, the excitement was palpable. Audrey read the letter from Santa, 

and Austin could barely contain his excitement. 

 

We did some Christmas dancing, 

 

played in the snow, 

 

and were so sad when Aunt Ritz had to leave Christmas night. 

We had fun playing with Memor and Fafa the next day. Thanks for coming! We loved having you!

 

Love This Family

We were so blessed to have Dave's cousin, Adam, and his fabbbbbbulous wife, Whitney, live close to us for the first seven months we lived here.  Whitney and I became instant great friends and hung out everyday.  We became very close and to say I was devastated when she moved away last December would be an understatement.  I love her kids dearly, and we miss them everyday.

January 1, 2012. We came to visit to see if we could live here.  We went to a basketball game with Dave's future business partner and Adam and Whitney were so nice to watch our kids.  We got back in time to hang out for a bit and then watch the ball drop.

Family/friends. Isn't it nice when they can be the same thing?

 

 

 

 

 

 

The four of us had a lunch group every Tuesday.  It was awwwwesome.  The host would cook and we would all gorge ourselves silly. Sigh. That was fun. 

Love you Whit! And Ivy, sweet sweet Ivy who is having a hard time in the picture because...I can't remember.  But I love this little girl so much.  We had such a special bond.  For whatever reason, she loved me too.