Christmas 2013

I must say, this Christmas had to be one of my favorite.  Both kids loved everything that had to do with it.  They loved all the decorations we had in the house.  Skylar was so helpful and Madden stayed away from all the tree ornaments.  Walking around and looking at Christmas light every weekend night was something the kids couldn't get enough of.  Our Elf on the Shelf...Frankie was a HUGE HUGE hit!  Skylar was just in love with him and every morning Frankie was the first thing we looked for.  I think he even help keep her on her best behavior for most of the month.  Madden also loved Frankie and whenever you asked him where he was, he would always know and point in his direction.  It was just great having both kids (mostly Skylar) understand the holiday and really get so much joy out of it.

 As it has been for years now, we celebrate Christmas Eve at my parents house.  Along with the tradition of spending Christmas Eve their, the tamale tradition continued as well.  Usually every year I help out, but this year I was keeping the kids occupied while everyone else went to work.  They spread four dozen tamales in what seems like record time.  Jake and Gabe deserve the gold medals as the both of them stuffed and folders each tamales perfectly.  Aunt Sandra and Toni's sauce was the best we had, had in years.  In the end everyone said this years tamales were by far the best and people couldn't stop going back for more.

The kids had a blast hanging out with all their little cousins.  Skylar was playing catch with the boys and spending a ton of time with cousin Carmen.  

Hanging out with Unc.

The highlight was the kids opening their gifts of course.  Madden and Carmen wanted to open anyone and everyone's gifts.  Skylar just kept asking which present were hers, while all the older boys just begged for their present to be picked next.

Skylar picked out a special new lovie for her new baby cousin.

Of course, both Skylar and Madden were exhausted and past out on the drive home.  We carried them both up to bed and Jake and I put out all their presents from us and Santa.  Skylar has been asking for a baby crib from Santa all month long.  She wrote Santa a letter, told Frankie to tell Santa, and even told Santa himself when she saw him.  So that is what Santa brought her.  Madden (who is still only speaking 5 words), got a Jake and Neverland Pirates push car. Needless to say, no complaints from either of them on their presents from Santa.  Skylar eyes just lit up when she saw her baby crib.  The smile on their faces made our morning.

By 7:30 AM my parents and Uncle were at our house for breakfast and presenting opening.  Skylar was opening present after present, while Madden wanted to spend most of the morning in the playroom with his old toys.  He would pop in and open a quick gift and then was back to the playroom.  By the end Madden still had 4 or 5 unopened presents, while Skylar was sad she didn't have any more to open.

Skylar's new baby from Mom and Dad.  She named her "Sophie" after her best friend.

Lucky for us the day after Christmas Jake's parents made the long trip down to spend a couple days with us.  Which of course meant, more present opening from all the NorCal family. The kids got spoiled all over again by our NorCal family.  Being able to spend a couple days with Jake's parents during the holidays was a great way to end our Christmas.

New beach chairs from Uncle Jessee and cousin Nico.

Holidays are so important to me. I treasured how much my parents did for us during the holidays and I want to make sure my kids get the sames joys out of it as I did as a kid.