Hiller Christmas

Christmas with the Hillers a few days later kept the holiday going the whole week. Nick was in town from Reno to join the celebration. The overall theme seemed to be ornaments, which Betty gives to each of us every year and Matt and I exchange as well. Jonelle and Leah like to give them too, so we probably added no less than 10 ornaments to our collection. I like our eclectic tree every year. And of course, Penelope got a Baby's First Christmas ornament.

  

Reading Where the Sidewalk Ends, one of Claire's new books and Aaron's old favorites. 

The Cousins

I have decided to call these my "Before" pictures - bring on the New Year's goals! 

Is she more interested in the wrapping paper or Nick's mustache? 

Miles looks so bored with all the Barbie stuff - but he had Batman toys just a few feet away. 

Christmas Day

It was nice to wake up in our own beds and have Christmas morning. Penelope knew just what to do with her presents and also enjoyed eating the wrapping paper as much as playing with the new toys. I have no one to blame but myself for buying the loud piano toy... at least it has an off switch. 

This year's hit - La La Loopsy dolls

Trip to Disneyland coming up! 

Adorable note from Claire - tear, sigh. Where does she get this stuff? 

Reading the new books from Grandma May

Christmas Card

Happy Christmas Eve!

Borrowing the photo booth props from the party

Ethel M Cactus Gardens

We braved the crowds and went to the Ethel M Chocolate Factory for their lighted cactus garden and of course, free chocolate sample. I didn't get the lights photographed very well - but I think we got the perfect dose of the holiday lights without the tantrums. Yay us. :)

Ugly Sweater Party

Ugly Christmas sweaters are harder to find than you'd think - and with all the ugly sweater parties going on, it's almost like you need to shop for them year round. Luckily we were able to borrow the award-winning sweaters that our friends the Jensen's had decorated and worn the week before to their own party. Matt walked away with the first prize - all the glory, plus a $10 In n Out gift card. I think the Christmas tree lights that really lit up were what put his sweater over the top.

School Spirit

Springs Preserve

I never win anything - but somehow I won tickets to the Springs Preserve holiday event at my friends' handmade boutique a few weeks ago. We went this past Monday and it was so fun! It was not crowded at all, and the kids had a great time (other than a slight meltdown over a lost Bingo game... Miles).  With a giant slide, decorated gardens, face painting, reindeer rides, and a snow machine, the pictures speak for themselves. We just might do an annual pass - there were so many things to do, and they put on an event every few months.