Christmas Morning

No one could sleep (except Ryan who wanted to keep sleeping) so we were up early. After looking at the Christmas photo album, saying family prayers and being tortured by Ryan who kept trying to stall, we lined up in order at the top of the stairs and headed down!

Santa brought Gracie a Dora the Explorer Doll. Justin got a driver (and later some clubs from Mom and Dad).

Ben wanted and received a huge Nerf gun- I think it is a machine gun! Marin got an American Girl doll- Felicity- from Santa, but what she loved the most were the pillow pet from Gracie, the bean bag from Mom and Dad and the fleece blanket made by Mom especially for her. Super comfy!!!

Amber couldn't stop smiling as she opened present after present. I think I was a bit sorry for short changing her last year, so I went a bit overboard. Santa brought a wand and necklace worn by Hermione in the Harry Potter movies. She got some clothes, lots more Harry Potter stuff, a homemade blanket and her very favorite thing- an NCIS hat from the tv show.

The C family met at a trail for family pics in the afternoon- can't wait to see them! Then we went to Robles' for dinner. Everyone came to our house afterward for more food, home movies (courtesy of Uncle Kevin and Aunt Laura), an UN-talent show and lots of visiting. We even gt to open a few more presents in the cousin/sibling gift exchange. Merry Christmas!!!!

Christmas Eve

We spent Christmas Eve at Adam and Marilee's house in Stevenson's Ranch. There was quite a bit of excitement when Papa and Grandma finally got there! We all miss them since they are in Texas now.

After a yummy ham dinner and too much dessert, Santa came! The kids were excited to see him- well except for Zoey and Avery! He gave each of the kids an ornament, and then they sat on his lap one by one and told him what good things they had done during the year. Most of them told him something they would like for Christmas too. Marin and Justin didn't know what they wanted. Grace was hoping for a Dora the Explorer doll. Ben wanted a Nerf gun. And Amber wanted Harry Potter stuff. Each family took a moment for a photo with Santa.

After Santa left the kids opened their presents from Nana and changed into their pjs. They look great! We headed home to sleep at our house and get ready for Christmas. What a fun night!

December Birthdays

Well, between church obligations, people being sick, etc. it took us a few weeks to finally get to celebrate Spencer and Gracie's birthdays. Aunt Laura and Uncle Kevin hosted us at their home for dinner. We almost didn't make it with the TONS of rain we have been having. We are glad everyone made it there and home safely!

Grace loved her new toys. She started playing with them instantly as you can see from the picture. She has been playing with them now for 3 days! Spencer loved his new pillow pet and games too.

Grace wanted to blow out the candles before we finished singing. The next day she asked me if she and Spencer had had their birthday together. I said yes. To which she replied, "Then now I 4!" Marin and I tried to explain to her that she was still 3 years old and that it was just a late birthday party, but she would have nothing to do with our explanations and spent the whole day telling us she was now 4.

Decorating the Tree

It is tradition at our house to decorate the tree and the rest of the house together. There are a few things I usually put up because they are fragile, but as the children get older and older they are doing a lot of the decorating, which I think is fun. Sunday night we finally had everyone together, so we got to decorate!

Here is the angel who should go on top. Instead we have a star..oh well!

Poser! Ben has a never ending need to make weird faces and pose- I think he should be the next Zoolander!

Decorating fun!

Ryan always wears the Charger Santa hat during decorating, wrapping and Christmas morning.

The next day, Grace and I were putting up the stockings a a few other things. Below is what she thought we should do with the stockings!!

Happy 3rd Birthday Gracie!

I can't believe that it has been 3 years since this little angel came into our family. Her daddy and siblings begged for her for 4 years before I finally agreed to have one more baby. I am so glad I agreed! Grace brings so many things to our family:

-she makes us laugh

-she makes everyone be nicer to each other

-she dances and sings her way through life

-there are more hugs when she is around

-there is more laughing and giggling with Gracie around

On her birthday we asked everyone why they love her so much. A few of the answers included she is so cute, she gives good hugs and snuggles, she plays with us, she gives great kisses (see above picture!)

We LOVE Gracie!

PS- She has now decided that she was only 3 on her birthday and that she doesn't want to be three anymore. She's 2 if you ask her!

Thanksgiving Fun!

I love when the family is together and we play and eat! We had lots of yummy stuff- Marilee's sweet potatoes, Janet's stuffing and Laura's homemade pies were all super delicious. When everyone had gone and we had the house cleaned up I turned to Ryan and told him how much I love having people over. I know there are people who hate the cooking and cleaning and spending the day in the kitchen. I love it. I love to make yummy food (and have it appreciated unlike regular days at home). I love for family and friends to be together. I love them all to gather in our home. Marin took lots of pictures 62 just on Thanksgiving evening- here are a few...

(Nice faces on this one!)

We headed to Fashion Island after dinner had settled as is our tradition. We missed Grandma and Papa and Daniel, Jill and Raelynn. We had to bundle up- it has been cold!! Here are a few family pics from around Fashion Island.

Miller Gang

Adam and Avery

The posers

Happy Korean faces Amber and Laura!

Nana and Granddad

The Christoffersons

The Redfords

Some of the gang around the huge Christmas tree

Gracie Loo

So the other day I say, "Grace you are so cute."

She answers, "No I not."

"Then what are you?" I ask.

"I adorable!"

I've had laryngitis or something all week, so yesterday we didn't go do any choreography or errands. Grace and I just stayed home and did puzzles, watched "Beauty and the Beast", painted nails and had a tea party. What a lovely day with my ADORABLE daughter.

Cousin Time on Veteran's Weekend

We met up with all the Christofferson cousins (minus Raelynn) on Friday after Veteran's Day at the Griffith Park area. We first stopped at a train and transportation park. It was big on actual trains, old trolley cars and other vehicles from the Golden Era of Hollywood and LA. It was short on things for kids to do. We did take a train ride which the little ones loved and the big ones laughed on as they saw the Christmas decorations that were being put up, but were not yet finished (dead reindeer!).

Grace wanted to go on the train with Auntie Laura. Zoey went with Auntie Cole.

Marilee, Annie, Amber, Spencer, Laura and Marin waiting for the train.

Surfing teeter totter style!

Afterwards we drove to another area and had a fun picnic lunch and played at the park. The cousins love being together and we were so glad to have a day off on the same day so we could play.

Trick or Treat!

Ben "clone warrior from Star Wars", Marin "Athena the goddess of wisdom", Amber "50's girl", Grace "Cinderella", Mom "Guinevere", Justin "Russell from Survivor". Lots of fun this year at the church for the Trunk or Treat. The big question was do we go out on Sunday for more? We were planning on being at Christofferson's, but Spencer was throwing up, so we stayed far away. Since we didn't have any other plans, and Grace was excited beyond words, I took the younger kids out for a few streets worth of fun.
Ryan usually mans the house, but he even came out with us for a street or two. It was fun to have him there.
We had two pumpkins this year so the girls did one and the boys did the other. The boys couldn't decide on one theme so they went with one on each side- lightening bolt for the Chargers and Y for BYU. The girls was designed by Amber, with the accessories by Marin- what a good team they make!

The best part about Halloween this year was Grace. She was SOOO excited! She went from house to house as fast as she could and said "trick or treat" each time. If given a choice she usually took more than one piece of candy and then just smiled so cutely at the neighbor that they were thrilled to give her more! She also joyously said "Thank you" after each one. Once their bags were heavy Ben and Marin were ready to go home, but Grace wanted to keep going. She even went up to the house with the scary guy. He sits on the front porch perfectly still like a stuffed dummy and then when you go to take a candy from the bucket on the porch he moves and scares the heck out of you! Last year we were literally shaking for another whole block afterwards. The kids saw him there again, but were still too afraid to walk up to his door. Grace had no fear because there was candy to be had. She walked right up. He was kind and just said "Boo" to her as to not totally freak her out. She jumped, laughed and put her bucket out for more candy! I'm thinking of Jerry Seinfeld's "get candy, get candy, get candy..."

Thirty- eight Reasons Why I Love Ryan (in honor of his 38th birthday a few days late)

1. Ryan is a good daddy.

2. He folds baskets of laundry!

3. He works hard.

4. He is warm and keeps me warm.

5. Ryan gives great back rubs.

6. He tickles Gracie's and Marin's brains out and makes them laugh.

7. He pushes the kids to do their best.

8. He supports me with all my choreography and dance.

9. He makes me laugh.

10. Ryan calls me everyday from work.

11. He listens to me when I talk and talk.

12. He still thinks I am sexy after 16 years.

13. Ryan stays up late with me.

14. He can help with the computer and technology that baffles me.

15. He lets me take naps on Sunday afternoons when I'm exhausted.

16. Ryan squishes up his eyes when he laughs hard.

17. He is ticklish (much to his dismay).

18. He snuggles me.

19. Ryan is fun to be with.

20. He is strong.

21. He tries to do his best at everything.

22. Ryan loves our children.

23. He is cute!

24. He tickles my back (which I love).

25. We like most of the same tv shows.

26. He has learned all kinds of things about theater and movies.

27. He looks good in hats.

28. He is practical.

29. Ryan loves the gospel.

30. He is handsome.

31. I love his eyes.

32. I love his curly hair.

33. He is good at picking out clothes and jewelry I like.

34. He is a good gift giver.

35. He loves to tease. (I actually like that some of the time)

36. He is smart.

37. He didn't ask my permission when he first kissed me- he just leaned in and kissed!

38. He is a returned missionary.

I know this list is a bit random...but I love all these things and many, many more!! As Junie B. Jones would say, "That means I'm a lucky duck I think."