Christmas & Preston's Birthday

Merry Christmas! Santa came by for a visit. Giada of course did not want to use the cute plate we made for Santa but a Tinkerbell plate; and carrots for the reindeer too! This year Giada asked for a Barbie and dream lite.  I never had Barbies, my mom got me one for graduation from high school as a joke.  But the kids like what they like!  

 Try to get photos of the kids by the tree...not happening..

Giada got an early Christmas Present from dad. A ladybug necklace. She has yet to take it off.  Mike and I don't tell each other what we get the kids, so it is fun for us too. 
Dad playing with all the new princesses! Gino got Giada the whole set, and Giada's favorite thing to do is put the wrong dress on the dolls and have you guess who is who??

Santa brought Giada a hermit crab.  She was first named Tinkerbell, then Rosetta, now Periwinkle! Seems to be a hit, although as predicted I am doing most of the feeding.  These things are more high maintenance then I remembered.  And of course you know what she wants to bring to show and tell this week! Hope we can keep her alive! So far, so good.


Pics with Grandma Carol

 We do a bit of running around between both families for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but I love the family time.  Everyone knows Pops loves AL. Giada picked out this huge sticker decal for his shop.

 And Pops always has a funny gift up his sleeve. For Matt and I, or really the kids rather, he got these huge remote control FISH! Always something with pops! Matt got a trout and we got Nemo!

Sleepy boy on Christmas. Poor guy had a double ear infection the next few days.

Merry Christmas Stella Jean!

One of the fun things to do after Christmas is play with your new toys. Gino flipped this lawn mower over and started working on the bottom with his tools - it was classic.

New "Giada" straw

Lately Giada decides if it's a "picture day or not" as she calls it.  Or, she requests photos....

The Kanter's were in town for the holidays so we were able to celebrate Preston's birthday!  I had never been to the new Chuck e Cheese; kids had a blast; but to us parents it was not the same with out the character show!!

 When I have an oil day, the kids play at Nana's. No shortage of fun there.  Giada usually says to me, "Are you going to do oil work aaagggain?? "

 When you have a sister that loves princesses...

 Do you think we look alike??

Tali's Bday, Dinner Club, Chippy, Cookies, Gymnastics Sho

Dinner Club has been something new for me this year. Thanks girls for including me! December was a cookie decorating/exchange.  I brought some left overs home with me and Chippy the elf got into some decorating mischief and the kids decorated cookies at 6 am!

Chippy has been pretty busy this December!

Gymnastics Holiday Show! Won't I be glad when Parent Tot is over and I do not have to be in the performance any more! Gino was running all over the place. I can't get the video to download but I'll keep trying. Giada with her buddy Claire below.

Giada told me, "it's cold as ice out here do we need a picture??"

Big FUN decorating cookies at Courts! Thanks for having us. Sorry again for breaking the champagne flute!! Some had HEAVY frosting. Of course the kids thought the more the better.

Jamie and Zac came to visit on their way to Sac. Always great to spend the day with them. Jamie and I got a day together since the boys were off on Sunday Funday watching football and tooling out. Zac is always a good sport playing Giada, this time she requested forts and watching the movie Brave.

Happy Birthday Tali! I already forgot the name of the place but it was so cool and set up great for parties. You would be in one room for about 30 min with slides, inflatable obstacle course, bounce house (all ok for adults too), then you went to another room for about 30 min with different slides, and a rock climbing wall. Then you were off to your final stop the party room for food, drinks and cake.  Kids had a great time and slept the whole way home!

 Gino and his buddy Levi from gymnastics taking a break during free play.

The Clarins stopped by for a visit.  The girls loved the picnic dinner, and spent most of the night in swimsuits...we still aren't sure why! The rest of us watched the 49er game. Fun had by all!

Gino testing out Stella's swing!

I like to send Stella pics to Matt and Steph on the days we watch her. She smiles so easily!