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. 

2012 Family Pics

We had our family pics done by the very talented Denae Harlow Photography. She always does such an amazing job. I'm so thankful to do this once a year to capture my little ones in some nice, professional photos. The kids were so good for the photoshoot this year (you never know how they are going to be at this age), so we felt so lucky. Looking at all these photos just makes me smile. If only I could get them to cooperate like this for me when I try to take their photos. Thank you Denae! What a treasure you have given us.

We also did some pictures for my parents of all the grandkids by Cindy Glover Knapp. All my Mom has ever wanted was a picture of all the grandkids together. We knew we needed a professional for this request. THANK YOU Cindy for capturing some great moments of the kids. My Mom loved them and so do I.

Saint Matthew Women's Retreat

I was lucky enough this year to go the Saint Matthew Women's Retreat 

held in Santa Cruz (AKA beach paradise). 

So blessed to be surrounded by women of all ages filled with such love. 

I decided to go on the annual retreat this year since a few of my friends 

were going and I heard nothing but positive things about past retreats. 

I was hoping to meet some new friends, while also 

taking away some meaningful life lessons. 

Here is the view from the front of the retreat center. 

The scenery was beyond words. Peaceful and so beautiful. 

It made for the perfect spot for reflection and relaxation.

Our "Saint Matthew's Young Mom's Group" with Pastor Mary

With a few missing since they couldn't make it to the retreat.

I love these girls! 

(I'm not quite mature enough at the age of 33 to call us women yet)

Some of us have been meeting for weekly Bible Study for over 5 years. 

They give me such perspective in life and have helped me though some tough times. 

I feel so blessed to have met each and every one of them. 

My roommate for the weekend, Amie, along with Lisa and Loni

My girl, Marsha. 

The pre-retreat began with a 5 week Bible Study that led up to the topics that we would be discussing during the retreat. I didn't really know what to expect, but knew that it would all be good. There were guest speakers that lead discussions and lessons on the following topics: Forgiveness, Compassion, Gratitude and Being Enough. Each lesson left me with important things to think about, ways to challenge myself and how I can take these lessons and apply them in my own life. Always a humbling experience to be faced with some tough self reflection, but also wonderful to realize that we are all such works in progress and that is what God loves the most about us.   

We got a few hours of free time, so a few of us went down the beach and took a nice walk. It was crystal clear and so peaceful. I wasn't used to having a weekend all to myself, so really tried to take advantage of the peace and harmony around me. 

Thank you Saint Matthew for a memorable weekend away. 

I came home relaxed and feeling like my heart was so full.