Wednesday, December 30, 2009

My Christmas in Review!

I am still here.
And for all of you who may have missed me a tiny bit, I have a photo-filled post for you today that just may surpass my other marathon photo posts.
This is not one for the faint at heart.

So here is my Christmas in review-


The Friday before Christmas vacation included
going to Toot's Christmas program at school which involved
falling on my butt on the ice directly out of my car
sprawling and dropping all the contents of the diaper bag.
This was witnessed by a kind lady. I did not like having a witness.
Sat in church.
Arriving later in his own car, Hottie Husband walked in and said to me
I just fell on my butt!
He too succumbed to the icy parking lot.
We are such Californians.

Then we watched this little guy
Photobucket

stand off to the side and make strange body motions while singing songs such as
Mary Had a Baby
and
Happy Birthday to Jesus!
Photobucket
But, he sure looked good in that tie.

We then packed and picked up the boys from school, finding Jackie Boy laying in the snow.
He indicated he was tired.
That was all.
Then, on the way to the airport, car filled with luggage, no reason or time to go home, it sounded
 as if someone has turned a faucet on in the back seat.
Have I mentioned that in my NEW car, the kids are not allowed to eat or drink?
Because they trashed  had issues with spilling in the old car.
Well, I just have to say that I have never seen so much vomit come out of one person in one shot.
Mister Luke compared it a hose turning on.
HH and I just looked at each other stunned.
Then he said- sure glad we don't let them eat in the car. 
We cleaned it best we could and then let it sit closed up in a parking lot for 5 days at the airport so we could really savor the whole incident.

Got on the plane and proceeded to get into trouble for taking this photo.
See my prior post for the trouble I caused.
Now, I am really happy that this did not happen after Christmas day because of that other incident involving a fire recently in the news.
Photobucket
Scary thing is that I picked up a follower due to that post who was not my type of follower- rather the name led me to indicate that it could be someone who might rhyme with the word merrorist.
I blocked him.

We arrived and my mom's house, who we have now decided should open up a Bed and Breakfast. Yummy food, nice sheets, great accommodations.
Highly recommended.

Had a Christmas party at Grandma Betty's
Photobucket

Told you I'd put a good picture of you in Aunt Carrie!
Photobucket

Took pictures of my cutie eating leaves.
Good roughage right?
Photobucket

Headed to Newport Beach for  HH's family's big Christmas Party.
Little Bear got his stocking from Grandma Dody, who has made all the kids stockings.
Photobucket

Enjoyed seeing Papa Don and Uncle Tom.
Photobucket

The party was a Aunt Minnie's house and you just have to see how lovely her table was set.
Photobucket

Here she is making a cosmopolitan
Photobucket

with these peppermint candies.
Photobucket

Here is very kind, Berkeley-attending super smart cousin Kayley
holding the finished product.

Photobucket

The boys enjoyed hanging with their cousins
Photobucket

and Little Bear got to try whipped cream for the first time.
Photobucket


We then headed back to my mom's
where she gave our whipped cream guy a bath in her kitchen sink.
Don't worry- it is a brand new sponge- no bacteria.
Photobucket

We went to the Grove for pictures with Santa, shopping and lunch at Cheesecake Factory.
We stopped foot traffic and nearly trolley for this photo.
Photobucket

They had a great big tree with great big bulbs.
Photobucket
I love this photograph. If you look closely, you can see my niece holding Little Bear and me taking the photo in the bulb.
Photobucket

It is tradition to make my mother's sugar cookies and I am not allowed to give out the recipe.
But really, they are the best sugar cookies.
Photobucket

Photobucket

Here is my niece who I have purchased boy repellant for  did an amazing job rolling out that dough.

Photobucket

Good cookie making takes teamwork.
Photobucket

I am not even going to show you them with the frosting because you will be even sadder that you can't have the recipe.
It is certainly not because I forgot to take a picture and if Hughston is reading this - just know that I so owe you many cookies next year. 


We made sure that the kids got to see their friends while in California.
Some actually teared up when they saw the boys.
Photobucket

We celebrated Christmas with my mom and she spoiled the boys as you can see.
Photobucket

Little Bear tried to eat his present from my sister
Photobucket

and I received some more preparation for my new climate.

Photobucket

We tried to fit all the gifts in our bags and on Christmas Eve got on a plane to head back to Montana.
I got this very cool shot of the wing out of my window.

Photobucket


Had Christmas Eve dinner of bagels and Wendy's frosties in the Seattle airport.
Photobucket

Made it home at 11pm and prepared for Santa to show up.
Little Bear woke up to this new sled.
Photobucket

We stayed in our jammies for most of the day, then headed over to the fire station.
Photobucket

The kids got to explore and we shared Christmas dinner with other firefighters.
Photobucket

Photobucket

Not our normal Christmas Day of brunch for thirty at our house,
but a new kind of Christmas Day that was fun all the same.

If you actually made it through that post and are still reading, I wish you a Happy and joyful New Year. My sister and her chillins arrive tomorrow and will be here for a week.
I probably won't be posting much because I'l be soaking them in.

But, I'll be back with a vengeance real soon.



13 comments:

Brigetta's Mom said...

Beautiful,Beautiful, family of mine. I have to tell you it was tough letting you all go back home. I relived all of these memories while reading. Laughed and cried all at the same time. I love you! Mom.

Foursons said...

Awww...your mom's comment is so sweet!

I can't even imagine how long it took you to upload all these pictures. Great job!

Your family is gorgeous and you have many reasons to be proud. Here's to 2010!

Farmgirl Paints said...

Goodness girl I'm tired just reading through that post...can't imagine how you feel:) Looks like a wonderful time. Loved the pic of your family at the Grove and you with your "wig" on.

I think I may have picked up that same follower. Not sure how to block him...you'll have to let me know.

It's been a joy getting to know you. May 2010 be a year full of blessings for you and your precious family!!

a new beginning said...

I trust my usual amount (more!) of your christmas cookies are in the mail? mmmm...would love one right now!

Glad you were able to block mr. scary guy--I was not happy when I saw his pic and read his info.

Enjoy your time with G and the kids!!! How FUN for you :)

Love you friend.

Unknown said...

sounds like fun visiting everyone! have a very merry new year!!!

Kathleen said...

I laughed out loud reading that (but won't write LOL because I really didn't just think it was funny and wanted to let you know I was amused, but laughed so it echoed through the house).
I think maybe your kids have barf issues in the car. Didn't they vomit the whole way to Reno once? You should put barf bags in the seat backs. Steal some next time you fly (if you are willing to risk your FBI file getting thicker...)

Leslee said...

WOW lady, you had one very busy trip back to CA! Looks like a grand time was had by all...

Don't you just love the Seattle airport? I could sit infront of that huge window for hours!

The car barf story had me laughing, but what do you do right?
Hopefully that fresh mountain air will clean things up for ya!

Lemonade Makin' Mama said...

whew! You were really busy girl! Sounds like fun though!

Happy New year!
Sasha

Kasey said...

Looks like you had a fabulous time!!
xo

Jenilee said...

I love all your pictures! especially the baby in the sink. :) so cute! I miss my girls being that small. just visiting from another blog... :)

Angie said...

I would totally slip on the ice also....I'm such a warm weather girl, i wouldn't know how to act in Montana.

Love the post :)

Happy 2010!!

Mindy said...

I just read the whole post: very entertaining. Sounds like your familiy is wonderful. Your writing is vivid. I could almost smell your car. It's always funny when it is someone else.

Blessings to you and all your lovely family for the new year!

sanjeet said...

I can't even imagine how long it took you to upload all these pictures. Great job!

Work from home India