Jammies

This Christmas there was a distinctive motif - "Star Wars" for Luke & "Barbie" for Madison. Here they are modeling their theme-based pj's...

Merry Christmas!

We had a wonderful Christmas. It was smaller than usual...we were missing my Grandparents, the Carters & the Laffertys. If they had been here it would have been absolutely perfect.

The monkeys relaxing with Uncle Jason & Aunt Jill after our Christmas Eve crab feast...

Christmas morning finally arrives...and SANTA had been here!!!

Santa brought the kids scooters

Time to find out what is in this stocking

I adore the lack of greed in small children. Luke was happy to play all day with the first toy he opened. He didn't realize that there was a ton more to come :-)

Santa must know how much we love to play with Daddy's flashlights & he got us our own!

Playing with the creepy reindeer that Santa put in Maddie's stocking (which was a huge hit...of course)

Santa is a messy eater

Taking a break from scooting

Back to present opening...Santa listened & delivered a "Hungry, Hungry Hippo" game to Madison...as promised!

After breakfast at our house we headed over to Bagga & Grandpa Silly's for more present opening

Bagga's beautiful table

Merry Christmas!!!

December in California

Luke had his last swim lesson of the season on Friday. The weather was perfect...a little over 60 degrees & clear blue skies. Still wetsuit temperatures but gorgeous!

Luke & Miss Sylvia (she took over from Matt who bruised a rib)

Visit with Santa Claus

We had a fantastic visit with Santa Claus this year! Luke wasn't so sure at first but when Santa asked for a high five & offered up a candy cane Luke quickly warmed up.

Right after our visit with Santa the kids had dentist appointments. Maddie was as perfect as she was on her last visit. This was Luke's first time & he was NOT excited about it. We sat in the chair together, sang a few Christmas carols & by the time we left he had his teeth counted & "tickled"...he did great!!

Super Why!

Madison & Luke have a new favorite show...Super Why! They have super hero capes from their friend Andrew so yesterday they donned their capes & Mickey Mouse ears & ran around the house yelling, "Super Why to the rescue!" Classic :-)

Christmas Tree Hunt

Saturday we went hunting for our Christmas tree in the Los Gatos Mountains. Brilliant Mommy forgot the directions so we had to wing it when picking a farm. Of course we picked the worst one with barely a single undamaged tree & really rough terrain. We ended up finding the perfect tree & the kids had a blast. It wasn't quite the Norman Rockwell picture we had in our heads but it all worked out!

The gorgeous view

The kids on hand in case Daddy needs help with the saw

Are you sure you don't need any help?

Luke's School Portrait

Luke's 1st school portrait has arrived!

What a handsome devil!!