Christmas Day

Lets just say Christmas gets better each year. This year was by far the best year with the kids ages. They understood the concept of Santa and were really excited to wake up Christmas morning. Paisley always wakes up first, so we had to capture her and trap her in our bedroom until Roman woke up. Luckily he woke up shortly after.

We love being at our house Christmas morning with just our little family. We are able to take our time, relax and just enjoy being together.

This year Roman asked Santa for:
A Bike (specifically red and pink - so HIM!)
Candy
A Hula Hoop
Transformers

Paisley asked Santa for:
A Bike (we already have tons of toddler bikes, but since her brother was asking for one she wanted a new one too. We ended up finding the perfect Minnie Mouse bike)
Candy

Paisley was in heaven with her new bike. Once she saw this, she didn't need anything else. It played songs, made noises and could collect tons of junk in the basket. Did I mention she is kind of a junk hoarder? Her favorite activity is to find the most random things around our house and collect them.

My Big Boy with his Big Boy Bike! It makes him look so old. I found the perfect red bike and added some purple/pink tassles to the handles. He loved it, but was hesistant to want to try it out. (FLASH FORWARD one week later and he is now a pro on it).

I love this picture because it captures the perfect moment between Jason and Roman. As soon as he saw his bike, he sat down with Jason and wanted to know everything about Santa and the logistical details. He wanted to know the specifics about how long he was in our house, where he went after our house, how he came down the chimney, his reindeers, how the presents arrived and what happened to our elf. I love this boy and how he is just so literal and practical. Sometimes I just laugh at what comes out of his mouth.

We love stockings! Paisley was happy to find some little gadgets to play with and CANDY!

I got a very entertaining video of Roman opening up his stocking. He just makes me smile with his funny commentary.

Back on her bike. She didn't need any more gifts, she was a happy girl riding around the house.

One of Roman's favorite gifts, "Disney Me Reader." Allows him to read along with the story. My little bookwork always loving his books.

Belle, her favorite princess. She also got a big furry Beast to go along with Belle.

HORSIES!!!

I needed a SQUEEZE!

Opening a gift from Uncle John that had about 15 layers of wrapping paper.
Roman was very entertained.

Our princess, Belle

We had some rest and relaxation and then headed over to Nana and Pop's house for dinner 

and to celebrate Pop's Birthday. 

Watch out! Look what Roman and Paisley got from Nana and Pop. So fun. 

Lots of fun opening some more presents

"Belle" got her own set of Princess Dolls

We got a surprise phone call from Santa. Scott was so excited and a little nervous to talk to the big guy. 

AND Most importantly it was my Dad's 70th Birthday! Can you believe it? I know, he doesn't even look 60. We had planned throwing him a big party, but it was cancelled last minute. We look forward to planning something again soon. 

Happy Birthday Pop! 

We can't thank you enough for all that you do and all that you are. You have given us the greatest gift of all this year by being such an amazing caregiver to Mom. You are by her side day and night and we know it hasn't been easy. We couldn't thank you enough. Plus you are an awesome Pop to all the kids constantly giving them love, patience and confidence. You are so selfless and teach us to do the same. THANK YOU for being such a wonderful, loving and supportive Dad my entire life. You are always a phone call away and I always know that you are here for me no matter what. True love and dedication. We love you and wish you a year filled with good things. 

Christmas Eve

It was really hard for me to get motivated this holiday due to everything going on with my Mom. My heart just broke for her that she was back in the hospital and all I wanted for Christmas was to have her back home, especially since she had to miss out on Thanksgiving. I had a hard time even being motivated to go Christmas shopping since it just seemed so trivial this year. You realize all that really matters during the holidays is health and family.

Well, we got our Christmas wish and she was released from hospital on Christmas Eve. I can't tell you how happy I was. It was all I wanted for Christmas.

Here is our Christmas Eve...

Celebrated the morning with Grammy and Papa at their house. They had us over for German pancakes and opening presents. It was a relaxed and beautiful morning and so fun for the kids to have some special time with Jason's parents.

Betty and Bob always get the most thoughtful and fun gifts for the everyone. Paisley and Roman enjoyed opening it all.

Roman loved the Speed Ball! Pretty fun to play with. I like it too!

That afternoon we headed to Church. They do a great kid friendly service. 

Then we headed to our house for Christmas eve dinner. I did a casual Italian feast of Baked Ziti. My Mom made it for dinner and we were thrilled to have our special guests from New York with the Schneider's. It was a special night of just being together and celebrating. 

 The boys loved their new slippers from our NJ family. So thoughtful and cute! 

The ladies and their new slippers

Welcome Home Nana! 

We love shopping for our nephews and niece. This year Jason found the perfect gift for Scott. A remote controlled rat. Scott knows how much I hate rats and spiders and always tries to scare me with fake ones. I knew he would love this since he could scare me with it. 

The time came to say good-bye to our Elf. Paisley gave him a kiss.

Roman made Reindeer Food at school. Such a cute idea! Love that he has school to think of all these fun things. Makes my life a lot easier. 

Sprinkling the food on the grass. 

Good Night Roman! 

The presents arrived and we were ready to go. We usually save a lot of the wrapping to do at the last minute, but we were good this year and actually had almost everything ready to go by Christmas Eve. We couldn't wait to see Roman and Paisley's reaction the next morning. 

December Fun

Love the month of December with so much to do with the kids. This year was especially fun given their current ages (2 and 3 1/2). They really got into all the fun and we did too. Here are some of our favorite pics from December.

Our new singing advent calendar from Nana and Pop. The kids loved doing this first thing every morning to find their candy. At about Dec. 18th, I realized there was no more candy. Sneaky little rascals.

Shopping for our tree started at a tree lot, which was so fun for the kids. They loved running thru all the rows of trees.

Ended the night at Nob Hill to get a really good deal.
Funny story...We picked out our tree and headed inside to pay. When we came outside to load the tree in our car, we realized another family had picked out the same tree and was loading it into their car. We had to scramble to find another one. It ended up needing some serious trunk surgery (sawing at home), but turned out great.

Elf on the Shelf made his debut this year. When I first read the story to Roman, he was very concerned with the elf coming to life at night. He asked dozens of questions and then wanted to check on the elf to make sure he hadn't come to life yet. This is my very "literal" boy. I told him that the elf would never come into his room at night and he grew to love him by the next day. I definitely lacked creativity compared to a lot of other friends, but realized the kids were simply happy to wake up and run to find the elf each morning. This picture was a day when the elf left them Christmas shirts to wear. They still ask where the elf went and when he is coming back.

Paisley loved the tree and asked for the lights to be plugged in every morning. We got her a Winnie the Pooh ornament this year. After opening it she immediately wanted to hold it. Jason told me not to give it to her since it was fragile, but I told him what was the point if she couldn't enjoy it. One minute later, it is dropped and both his ears fell off. I laughed and loved it even more since it reminded me even more of her being a toddler. So now her 2 year ornament has no ears and she loves it just as much.

Roman loved the movie The Grinch, so we got him a grinch ornament. It was always one of my favorite movies growing up too.

Cooking Club Couples Holiday Party

Cheers! 

The kids loved all the lights and decorations this year, so we headed out to Livermore to the BIGGEST and craziest display in the Bay Area, Deacon Dave's. Fun, festive and funky!

Even Santa and Mrs. Claus was there. Definitely worth the drive to experience it all. 

Fun to spend the night with the Bucklews. 

Ellie looking so cute!

Enjoying playing with Pop's train.

A special night at the Rohrlicks celebrating Hanukkah. Jen gave us a good lesson on the holiday and the significance of lighting the candles each night. 

Roman took the lighting very serious. 

A day in Downtown Walnut Creek visiting the tree, Santa and taking a ride on the trolley. 

Roman was thrilled to meet Santa this year and give him his list. Santa even took the time to read it to Roman. It melted my heart. Paisley on the other hand was very hesitant (not surprising), but held back the tears. Go Girl! I'm sure next year will be all smiles (I hope)

An early Christmas celebration with Great Grammy in Citrus Heights. 

Always love visiting Aunt Barbara and Uncle Tom's house. So many fun things to play with. 

The Guys

Roman's Christmas Concert. Very casual and sweet! 

Walnut Avenue Preschool Holiday Party

Roman and his 2 teachers, Miss Helen and Miss Paulina

He is so blessed with these 2 amazing women. They know him so well and take such good care of him. 

Our gift from Roman that he made at school. An adorable ornament with his picture on it. 

Celebrating a fun night exchanging gifts with the Kellings. 

Love having Uncle Ry Ry and Aunt Laurie close by. 

Making some Christmas Cupcakes 

A fun party with some of Jason's childhood friends, The Heckmans and The Hagelins. Roman and Paisley were showered with the most thoughtful gifts. 

Doesn't get much cuter than this! Thank you Jackie and Jon. 

Loved it all! 

Thanks Roman and Paisley for making this a very special and memorable December.