christmas 2021: celebration edition

 Welcome Christmas!!  

We spent another delightful day with Nana and the Hansens at our house.  

On Thursday, we headed to Jill's for our Christmas dinner with the Hansens.  Sweet William insisted on waiting outside for his cousins.  Seriously love these kiddos!!

Els made special little ornaments for Charlotte and William in her clay class.

We had an amazing dinner together - until next time - we miss you guys already!!

On Christmas Eve, we headed to mass.

Both kids served together (and it was Max's first time ever!) - you guys did a fantastic job!!

Thanks, Mom, for joining us for Christmas mass - then we went home for delicious French Onion Soup (Max's request) and salad, and cookie-making.

Merry Christmas, Ella and Max!!!

So, Max has been "questioning" Santa's existence, but has refused to come out and say he doesn't believe OR that the wants me to tell him the truth.  **Sigh**  So, we're in this weird limbo and decided to ask Santa for 100 rubber ducks - basically, he was messing with me.  

Of course, I (or Santa) messed with him right back...

The letter read:

Dear "Max" (Susie [the elf] informed me that you are now utilizing air quotes when mentioning my name),

I hope you are not too tired after waking up at the QUACK of dawn to take care of Gus again.

You'll need your energy to open your gifts from me.  Maybe get a snack of cheese and QUACKERS?  It'll take a while to get your DUCKS in a row.

I reviewed your Christmas list - Susie brought it directly to me.  There was no FOWL play.  Please read on a bit FEATHER about what I bought you this year.  It's not time to look in the bag yet - no BEAKING!

I can't believe you only wanted rubber ducks.  WADDLE you going to do with so many?  

My elves had to do a lot of research on the internet about rubber ducks.  They used the WEBBED feet.

I'm going to be ho-NEST.  They couldn't find EGGS-actly what they were looking for - so I told them to WING it.  

Then, it got EGGS-pensive so I'm considering sending you the BILL.

I did try to find some of the ducks in your backyard before I left.  Your view is really BREAD-taking.  I know your dad wants to add more shade out there - has he considered a POULTRY?

Now that I've written you this letter myself, I hope you still believe in me.  You're growing up too fast.  You should be like a duck and grow DOWN.  

I hope the rest of your Christmas break goes SWIMMINGLY.  And that it doesn't take too long to open all of your gifts.  I thought it appropriate to use DUCK tape - tell your mom thank you for letting me borrow some!

Good DUCK!

Love, Santa

So, in Santa's bag, there were nearly 40 ducks, wrapped individually, with duct tape, then strung together so he literally needed to get all of his ducks in a row (it took me 2 mimosas to watch them untangle the mess).

Ha!  Merry Christmas - I think this has the makings of a nice Christmas tradition...but, like, a single duck each year.  This was stupid.

Merry First Christmas, Mr. Gus!!  

Merry Christmas - we have so much to be thankful for and so many blessings.  

christmas 2021: family & traditions edition

 We seriously had the most amazing visit with the Hansens!!

Saturday morning, we met up at the Desert Museum.  We even chatted with Ms. Renee and Frank is doing well (still needs assistance moving around), but is okay and in brumation.  

It was a gorgeous day to walk around with family and the kids had fun seeing animals and petting stingrays.  Then we went to Mercado San Agustin for a delicious lunch at Seis!

On Sunday, everyone came to our house and we hiked Freeman-Homestead trail together.

Loved all the cousin time and Ella was super sweet and amazing with Charlotte and William.  They drew and made loom bracelets together!

On Monday, while the guys were golfing, we made cookies!!

And then we headed to Zoo Lights!!  Okay, we spent more time waiting in line for hot cocoa and margaritas, then actually walking around and looking at lights, but loved our tradition of going with friends!!

Then we wrapped up our annual Christmas outings with Max's fave: Winterhaven!

christmas 2021: gingerbread edition

We officially kicked off our week before Christmas with our annual gingerbread cookie decorating at the Burts'!  

Els designed Piper and Gus cookies!

After cookie decorating was done, we headed to Nana's for gingerbread house decorating with the Hansons!!!  It was so amazing to see Jeanne, Marc, William and Charlotte!  

We had a delicious dinner together and are having the BEST time with everyone!!