Christmas Eve

We spent Christmas Eve at a wonderful Christmas Party. My friend Catherine was there with her husband, Ryan, and she had toys for my kids to play with. It was the perfect distraction!

Dinner was a mexican feast! There were chips and salsa, chile rellenos, enchiladas, tacos, tamales, beans, rice, and corn pudding. It was all so yummy :)

Ty and I thought the tamales were the best! I love my hubby. He is just so jolly.

Catherine and Ryan. Newlyweds ;)

Kathy, Josh and Steph.

After dinner Catherine set up a little game of pin the nose on Rudolph. Ryan helped blindfold the kids.

Rudolph the noseless reindeer.
I guess he missed.

Nope! He found just the right spot!

Mia took a turn as well. She stuck her nose on the fridge door handle, but she had fun trying!

Aunt Robyn showered Max and Mia with gifts and prizes. They will love her forever!

Zackary decided that was enough party and had himself a little pillow fight.

We had a little Christmas program with lots of singing and musical numbers. Mia fell asleep in Ty's lap. It was so sweet.

I haven't performed in years but somehow they convinced me to be part of this little quartet. Bishop Haimson, Jamison, me, and Catherine. I used to sing with Catherine all the time when we were growing up so it was fun to sing with her again tonight.
Bob closed the program with the Christmas story from Luke and then we all ate way too much peppermint ice cream.
At home we talked about Jesus and the wonderful gifts that we have been given because of Him. It was a wonderful Christmas Eve!

The Girls

(Glory, Sandra, Catherine, me, and Sara!)

I grew up in Redlands attending the 4th ward.
There was a group of us girls that were in the ward from elementary school through high school. We haven't been together in a long time and today we finally had a little reunion. Sara organized the whole thing. It was so good to see everyone and catch up. Sara and Catherine were both married earlier this year. Sandra just got engaged and Glory is busy with life in Utah. A few of our girls couldn't make it today and we missed them!
We had a great time. It was a wonderful little Christmas Eve celebration :)

Polar Bears

It is December 22nd. 3 days to go!
It has been raining like never before here in southern California. My parents pool is overflowing and this morning Ty and my younger brother, Jamison, decided they should join the polar bears for a swim.
(It has been about 50 degrees here, which for socal is very chilly!)

Ty was super excited for the challenge but Jamison was less willing.

Ty eventually talked him into the plunge.
I don't really know why holding hands was necessary.

Here they go!
The splash ended up being much bigger than we thought and Zackary was standing right in the tidal zone. He was soaked and terrified. Poor little guy.

We had towels ready. Everyone got changed and warmed. I still think they are crazy.
It's just a typical California Christmas at our house!

Holly Jolly

It's the weekend and the days are flying by!
We arrived at my parents house 3 days ago and we have been SO busy.
I got Max signed up for school so that he will be ready to go after Christmas break. He will be going to school at the same place that I went to kindergarten!
I got a gym membership at the 24 hour fitness just around the corner. My treadmill is in storage :( but I am really enjoying all of the different equipment the gym has to offer :)
I started baking and menu planning. Lots of parties and events coming up.
We introduced the kids to their great grandparents.
We decided that we wanted everyone to match in the family picture we will be taking on Christmas and I realized that my family has nothing to wear.
After much debate we only need 2 black shirts and one pair of jeans to make the dream happen.

Ty and I are going out on a little lunch date today. I am looking forward to sitting still and enjoying the moments.
Tonight we are breaking out the Christmas movies. I am thinking "It's A Wonderful Life" must make an appearance!

1 week!

The Journey Part 2

We had an amazing time in Utah! The weather could not have been better. It was beautiful. I got to see my youngest brother who lives in Provo. He treated us to a little Taco Time. We got to spend an evening with our long time friends the Robisons and enjoy some home cooked peruvian food. We had a fabulous Christmas celebration with Ty's family. It was remarkable in many ways ;)
I got to see one of my newest nieces be blessed. I got to carry around said new niece and drool over her cuteness. We were showered with love and kindness. Ty passed his boards and became a CRNA! We celebrated with lunch at Dalton's.
Finally.....it was time to say goodbye.
In honor of our departure it started to snow..... a lot! At least it waited until our final night!
We loaded the car and drove away on Wednesday morning. My little X-Terra was completely full. We were like sardines. We kept the kids happy with games, toys, books, and movies. We stopped in St. George for lunch and a visit with Ty's grandparents. We were all very spoiled and left with a big box of Christmas Candy! We left St. George and drove through Nevada and Las Vegas. Ty and I got engaged just outside of Vegas so we always reminisce as we drive by. We made a stop in Baker for gas and then drove straight through to Redlands!
My parents house is all decorated for Christmas and they have really gone out of their way to get ready for the kids. We are so glad to be done with the driving! (3000 miles total!)
We are thankful to be safe. We are thankful to be together. We are thankful for Ty's new job. We are thankful for our wonderful supportive families, and we are thankful for our Savior Jesus Christ and this wonderful Christmas season!

9 days until Christmas! :)

Chocolate Body Scrub

I have a recipe for brown sugar body scrub that I use all the time. This one might become my new favorite :)

(Thanks to Sweet Tidings : http://sweettidings.blogspot.com/2010/10/chocolate-body-scrub.html)

Chocolate Body Scrub Recipe

3 tablespoons cocoa powder

1cup brown sugar

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons olive oil

Sparkle Boots!

2 of my very favorite words :)

New Ugg Sparkle Boots

http://www.uggaustralia.com/ProductDetails.aspx?gID=w&productID=3161&model=Classic%20Short%20Sparkles

A girl can dream, right?

Cousins and Christmas

Today we had our first big Christmas celebration with Ty's family. The cousins began arriving in the early afternoon. Mia was giddy.

Zackary got into the spirit of things and stole candy canes off of the Christmas tree. When everyone was ready we headed to the church for our party. We had chili with all of the fixins.

After dinner the kids decorated sugar cookies.

Max decorated a stocking and a tree. He chose all chocolate candies for his cookies. Just my style :)

Then he shared his cookies with Mia, who was too busy driving a toy bus around the gym to decorate a cookie of her own.

All of the cousins put on a little Christmas nativity play. Max, Mia, and Ali were sheep. Zac was supposed to be the star, but he refused. Grey was a shepherd. Law, Graham, and Cai were the wise men. Kooper and Tali were angels. Taycee was Mary. Gavin was Joseph, and baby Ashton stood in for the baby Jesus. It was adorable. Everyone did great!
It was a wonderful afternoon. We are very blessed.

Caramels

We have been working hard to get ready for our Newman family Christmas celebration this afternoon. Earlier this week Ty's mom made caramels. She cut out all of the wax paper squares and Max wanted to help wrap the candy.

LeAnn showed Max how to wrap the caramels to look like little presents. (Zackary wanted to help too!)

He did a great job, and the caramels were super yummy!