Christmas Day!

Christmas Day memories:

The kids were so thrilled with everything they opened up at first (stuff from Santa) in their stockings and sitting out for them. They would have been happy with just this stuff. It was fun to see them so happy and excited. Everyone got things they really wanted. Some of the items were wrapped. The kids would open them and say "oh I have always wanted this." It was fun.

This year the kids drew names and they were responsible for getting something for one of the other kids. Clare was really upset she couldn't give something to everyone so she "helped" the other kids pick and wrap things for each other and felt she was a part of it all. It was good for the kids to have someone to think about during the holiday season and watch for little things they'd like.

As always I gave each child a book. I write in it something like, "Merry Christmas 2013. I love you."  The kids treasure these books. It makes me so happy. 

Dave gave the kids each a miscellaneous item - toy or game. They were happy to have something from Dad.

Jo had MAJOR bed head. It was so cute.  She opened a pez dispenser in her stocking first thing. AFter that all she did was eat pez.  She wasn't interested in other presents. Lex helped her open her elmo doll which she loved and then it wasn't 'til an hour or two later she came back and we helped her open a few other things she had.

We enjoy skyping with Grandma and Grandpa Gonda when we open their presents. They gave the girls cute matching dresses and then one other thing to each kid. Calvin got the frozen CD and Clare got a lego set from back to the future. When Clare opened the lego set she looked at it and then looked at the front to see if her name was really on it. When Calvin and Clare saw what each other had they decided to switch!  I do the buying for Grandma and had purposefully given Clare the lego set to balance out some injustice $ wise, but the frozen CD was probably her favorite christmas gift overall so I am happy she made the trade.

AND the major highlight of the day was skyping with UNCLE DAN! He is doing so well on his mission. He is down 130 lbs from 20 months ago when he started his weight loss journey. He looks amazing and is just as wonderful on the inside as well. He was very sweet to offer to keep Calvin for the year and live in San Diego while we are in Houston for Dave's fellowship! (we'd never actually do that to him but it is just about the kindest thing he could possibly offer).

 Elmo!

Jo gave Calvin this hot wheels set

 
bubbles and bed head!

Christmas Eve at Legoland

My dad is so sweet to take us all to Legoland on Christmas Eve. We started the tradition a few years back of going out and doing something highly stimulating to tire the kids out so we can get them to bed early on Christmas Eve. It has been fun the past few years to have dad/kari/shi and whoever else is in town join us. This year Pete/Jessica/austin/parker came too.

Jess-feel free to take pics!

The kids love this driving ride where they get a drivers license at the end of the driving course!

Cute pete and Parker! Both so photogenic!

 Jo did not want to go on a ride but Dave took her anyway. She warmed up as the day went on and loved every minute of it!

she's already starting to like it a little little bit!

 Grandpa and Lexey.  The best way to do Legoland or any amusement park is with lots of extra adults. At least one adult per child is perfect!!! :)

 Calvin and Clare are big enough to go on many rides alone which is great!

Beautiful mother and daughter Kari and Shianne.

Airplane ride...

On the boat ride Clare's boat got stranded for a little while!

Lexey and Shianne went on the pirate ride where you get wet. They had a super fun time and Shi got wet.

  here comes the big boom!

Happy Calvin!

Happy Jojo! Showing off that disgusting and dirty cast!

This is the bettle bounce. It is hands down my favorite ride at Legoland. It is so fun to go on with the entire family.  The kids love it. Jo was giggling and laughing the entire time. It is so great that you can stand nearby and get lots of pictures!

Clare decided she would pretend to sleep on the ride.  Funny thing about this ride, everyone was going to ride together, but then they were over the weight limit with essentially 4 adults (kari, bob, shi and Calvin who is 100lbs)

Cute of Kari and Calvin.

There is a life size x-wing fighter on display. It was awesome!!!

This year I got a handicapped sticker on Calvin's pass. Seeing a how I pay the price in life to have a handicapped child I figure I should reap the benefits when they come (which is rare). So I got the sticker. It allowed Calvin and his group to go to the handicapped spot in line which is basically right to the front. It was great. Everyone could go on any ride they wanted without waiting. We did wait for one ride with the group for about 45 min but otherwise it was nice for people to go on the ride and then come switch with those who were watching babies and go right back to the front.

Dave refused to use the handicapped pass. Not that he didn't think it was okay to use, he just didn't want to. (hence the wait for 45 min on the ride we all went on together).

Clare finally went on and enjoyed roller coasters!  Lex has loved roller coasters from the beginning but is tall enough for everything finally which makes her happy!

At Legoland Grandpa let each kid pick their own Christmas present/lego set! Then we went to Islands on the way home. As we were leaving dinner two guys (middle aged men) who were sitting near us asked if they could give the kids some gifts. I said yes and they whipped out a backpack full of toys and things for kids. They gave the kids some red Rudolph noses, ornaments to color, and stuffed animals. It was so sweet of them. The kids did legos when we got home and then were off to bed.

One of my favorite nights of the year is Christmas Eve. It is fun to stay up with dave talking and wrapping presents for the kids.   It is much funner to give the gifts than receive them for sure!