Christmas 2011

Needless to say, after being gone for a week, Christmas was a bit hectic.  But isn't Christmas always hectic?  I'm really trying to figure out how to have a relaxed, enjoyable holiday.  It never ceases to completely stress me out, which doesn't make it overly enjoyable.  The kids did have fun though.

Friday was our first day home and Loren worked while I stressed about Christmas shopping.  Ideally I would have had it all done before we left, but again, I can't ever seem to get my act together for Christmas -- the end of the semester this year was particularly chaotic.  Addie had asked for a "real frog" for Christmas, so Loren picked it up on his way home.  We hid in the bathroom (the hallway one that Addie doesn't use -- that stays really nice and warm) until the big day.

Saturday I hit the stores again, alone, shopping for the kids.  I had put this off hoping that Loren and I could do it together, but we just hadn't found the time without the kids to go.  So I headed off alone, with a few key things in mind.  We weren't trying to go overboard, but Addie had requested a few items.

That evening, Christmas Eve, we headed out to my mom's for dinner. We got to spent the evening with her and Domonic, Kris, Domonic's daughters Wendy - with daughter Dresdyn - and Sarah - with son Elijah and boyfriend Tom - and my Grandma Dean and Ray.

Dresdyn and Addie are reading Grandma's new Christmas book.

We enjoyed some delicious food and the kids went crazy opening presents (I think they were done in about 10 minutes and the living room looked like Santa's sleigh had exploded).

After we got home that night and put the kids to bed, Loren and I stayed up to wrap all the gifts and get the stockings ready.  We had checked on the frog before our wrapping adventures and then, much to our disappointment, in checking in on him again before bed, found him lifeless.  Poor thing was already gone.  :(  We think it was the water we used in the tank.  I was super bummed that he had gotten Addie her frog, but couldn't get a new one until after Christmas.

Christmas morning we were up and ready to see what Santa had left.

The kids' stockings were knit by Loren's Grandma Dee, and both have their names on them.  :)  The dogs both have stockings too.

Yes, Hayden got a mop.  He broke our old one, and although he was happy with this for the day, he seems to still prefer the broken one.

After pillaging the stockings, we moved on to the wrapped gifts.

After Addie opened her presents, I decided to show her the frog to let her know we'd get a new one on Monday.  To my surprise and Loren's disgust, she was actually quite thrilled with a dead frog.  It let her hold it and didn't hop away!  So my morbid little girl enjoyed her dead frog for the morning, until dad finally took it away.  She seemed quite fine with it and was excited to pick out a new frog the next day.  We had some breakfast and were joined throughout that morning by Uncle Ryan and Aunt Cassie, and my dad and Denise.  Addie was happy with present after present...  :)

The kids put on their new pjs.  These dino jams glow in the dark!

New froggie jams for Addie, but the little squirt can't keep the pants up around her tiny waist!  :)

That evening we went to Rick's house for dinner.  I think the kids had a great holiday.  Definitely made a haul, and got to see the whole fam.

We headed to Zamzows the following day and she picked out a fire-bellied toad, which she promptly named Hoppy.  We got him set up in his new home and I'm happy to say that he is still alive and well.  :)

My brother and Erin were out of town for Christmas, so we got together the following week.  Addie was more than happy to keep the festivities going.  We went to their house, with my mom, Domonic, dad, and Denise, and had another nice dinner (seriously, I think the food is my favorite part of the holidays!) and I think we finally finished opening the last of our gifts.  It took a bit for Addie to understand Christmas was over, but she knows she has a birthday to look forward to, so she's ok.  :)

Laying Low and Driving Home- Days 6 and 7

Yes, I am finally ending my trip (only a month later).  ;)  Wednesday before we left we really didn't do much.  Poor Grandma Dee had caught the stomach bug that started with little Logan, as had Conor (which we found out eventually made it through the entire family for Christmas).

We just hung around the house and explored the grounds a bit more...

Loren took this and he is very proud of it.  Can't even remember what she was crying about.

Visited with Steve, Dillon, and Lynette a bit and called it a day.

We left bright and early Thursday morning -- I got everyone up at 4am -- and hit the road.  Missed traffic and had a nice clear drive over the mountains.  After enjoying our 40-65+ degree weather, we were unhappy with the painful cold we encountered in Reno (knowing Idaho was as bad or worse).  We spent some time at McDonalds having breakfast and then continued on to Winnemucca.  There we found another McDonalds with a play area and let the kids get some energy out.  We were all ready to be home.  We pushed on and after a short ice cream break in Nampa, we made it -- I believe around 7pm (much nicer than our usual 11pm stroll).  Overall the kids did great -- I believe we only had maybe 20 minutes of tears in the car, both ways.  That's pretty great in my book.  ;)

Now we're trying to decide if we're ready for the road trip again in April -- it's Grandma Dee's 80th birthday..

Peet's, Redwoods, Beach, and a Gorgeous Day! - Day 5

You'll notice that our typical trip always includes Santa Rosa, San Fran, the redwoods, and the beach.  So off to finish our ventures we went.  Get ready for pic overload!

We started our day meeting Granmda K (Loren's grandma on his mom's side) at Peet's coffee in Windsor.  It was great to see her and the kids loved running around outside on what was shaping into another absolutely beautiful day.

This pic is twofold.  One, to show the beautiful sunshine, and two, most importantly, to show my Addie's fabulous sense of style.  Thanks Uncle Ron and Aunt Patty for the hat!

Hayden loved running around outside exploring the grounds.  I can't believe what a little boy he has turned into!  I think my baby days are over.

Boys and sticks...

After our visit we hit the road in search of the redwoods.  We usually hit a small park outside of Guerneville (super cute little town in a setting like McCall but only 20min from the beach - my paradise) called Armstrong Redwoods.

It's always hard to get decent shots here because the lighting is so weird -- mostly very dark with some bright sunshine-y spots.  Our camera doesn't seem to like it.

We finally decided it was time for a family shot.  Loren kept trying with the self-timer, but his head was always cut off (that's what happens when you set the camera up for a shot of me).  We finally preyed on some passers-by to help out.

On our way out, Loren got the fantastic hold-the-arm-out-and-hope-for-the-best shot.  Most family pics we've gotten in over a year!

After the redwoods we continued our journey right out to the beach.  If you go past Guerneville you'll end up at Bodega Bay.  All of this is heading west of Santa Rosa, and is a very nice drive (but probably not one if you get carsick).  Now, with as much as I love the ocean, I will admit I was hesitant to go on this venture. The beach there is always cold and incredibly windy -- I'm always ready to turn right back around as soon I get out of the car.  But Loren insisted, so I went along.  And it was the most beautiful day on the beach ever!!  It was clear with beautiful sunshine, about 60 degrees, and absolutely no wind!  I was in heaven.  (I was also reminded that even when it's a not-so-nice day, it's still a beautiful and fun drive along the highway)

We grabbed some sandwiches and had a little picnic on a rock, which was great until the seagulls nearly ran us out (seriously, they swiped our whole bag of chips).  Hayden, of course, immediately ran out to the water, fell, and got soaked.  So he ran out in just a diaper.  

Here he is dipping his found treasure (a stick) in salt water.  Delish!

He enjoyed playing in the little pools of water in the rocks.

He absolutely loved chasing the birds.

Addie was content to dig in the sand and play on the rocks.

My little runner.

This is Hayden's usual face when he discovers something.  It is accompanied by a shriek and pointing.

My little rock climber.

Just love the little footprints!

Yep, that's my boy.

He wanted to eat the sand too.

Oh how I love the water!

After the beach we ventured back to Grandma's.  Hayden found a new playspot (kitchen cupboard).  :)