Simple things

My father in law passed along a notebook he replaced with "newer technology", so now I blog more :) Thanks Pops! Just to update my last actual post...we got to see some amazing Christmas light displays in Cali, we walked the sundial bridge and riverwalk in Redding, Billy and I had a nice date night (with free babysititing), but the fishing was replaced with another hobby of my hubby's, our spa day was replaced with shopping (nice trade off) :), and.....there was snow!

(It still amazes me we have two blue eyed kids!)

The kids were so cute, just taking in all the surroundings. Emma seemed to enjoy the sledding, but Will was pretty overwhelmed by all the screaming we did racing down the hills (which I royally whipped my husband at, by the way ::) he wasn't too interested in going down with either of us.

When he watched both his parents go flying by at once, he got a bit concerned we might be leaving him, or hurting ourselves. Thankfully, he figured out he liked throwing snow balls at the bottom of the hill and everything was all better.

We're finally home after a great early Christmas in California. Two of our big suitcases ended up in Newport News Virginia after being tagged incorrectly by the ticket agent. They finally made it home yesterday. At the moment, a good amount of our belongings are strewn down the hallway.. it feels like the piles just never go away, even when I whittle at them for what seems like hours. Oh dear, I need a maid!

We got home, turned on some Sinatra and Bing, and finished up the ornaments on our tree we had put up before we left. It was nice to get into the spirit of the season. This year we are staying in line with our churches theme to have a Simple Christmas (it's all part of the Advent Conspiracy). So we only put the ones on the tree that were sentimental.

For Christmas, we're doing one big gift for each of the kids, and a few little knick knacks, so tonight we did a little stocking shopping together. Speaking of stockings....it's pretty wild to have a mantle full of those babies! The thought crossed our mind we may have a mantle full from just our own family one day :) That's a cool thought.

Merry Christmas week....try to enjoy it with the people you love, and make your time together a gift.

(Tr)Ader Joe's

Cali Christmas Part 2

Will has this funny habit lately of offering you something encouraging you to "rock rock" it :) Sometimes it's a bell, a truck, a book or even YOU ("rock Daddy"). I literally found Billy sitting in his lap the other day so Will could "rock" him :) LOL! 

This time, he handed his sister her doll and in good fashion, told her to "rock rock" the baby. They are so cute together...he play's really nicely with his sis, and she totally adores him.

 Last night we had a really nice evening with Grandpa (Gpa) and Grandma (Gma) E., Uncle Herb (Suzanne's brother) and Aunt Brenda. We enjoyed a nice bowl of warm chili and homemade cornbread (I missed my cast iron when making it!) on a cold night, and we watched Ice Age Christmas and Cars 2. Will was throwing kisses and "I love you's" to me across the table and Emma enjoyed catching up with her Pops (who had been out of town for a few days on business in Austin, TX, of all places!).

Everyone was highly entertained by the kids, and Gma especially loved showing them her santa-popping out of a gift-box lapel pin. She said when Billy and his bro's were little, they loved it too (that's a long time to keep a pin!) Will would count to three for her to pull the string, and Emma would mainly just try and put it in her mouth :) She's turning into quite the skilled fine-motor girl, undoing her Nana's pins multiple times in a row. .

Gpa and Gma brought the kids some great new books, and a very nice gift for Billy and I. It's times of gathering like these that we are so thankful for good people we get to call our family.

California Christmas Part 1

Billy's annual work Christmas party landed us in Las Vegas over the weekend. It was great to catch up with all the co-workers and their special someone's, and meet the many new faces added to the company this year. We were treated to a nice dinner and a night's stay at the Bellagio, a gift exchange, Cirque du Soleil's "O" and a yummy brunch before we dashed off. Will and Emma loved all the Christmas decor and fun animal displays the hotel offered in their Conservatory, and thankfully we had church friend of a family member that was able to come care for them during the late evening show. This was our first time out of the Vegas airport...and a nice trip. Oddly enough, we never took our camera out to take any pictures while we were there! Shame on us!

When we left Vegas, we took a little detour....and flew out to visit...Nana and Pops!'

and Grandma and Grandpa B....

they totally loved seeing the kids (and meeting Emma). 

Will found it very interesting that Grandma had her own walker too, it was so cute how he chased her all over the house. We are always thankful to get another visit with them

Emma girl has been on the move, scooting around on her bum, or getting onto her knees. She's also been pulling herself up a little on things like the coffee table.

Somebody's about to crawl

Sunday we had an early Christmas, so the kids could have some fun toys to play with while we're here in Cali. It was so fun to see Emma light up about the wrapping and bows! She got an adorable giggle doll, a purse and my pal Violet. Will loved his farm and cars and is starting to warm up to the idea of liking the Singamajig:) They both had new clothes and accessories in the closet when we came. Billy and I were blessed with cash and presents too and we feel so loved for all the gifts the B's gave our family.

Will and Emma are both having a lot of fun playing with all their new toys and books, and Nana and Pops are eating them up! We were promised a date night, guys fishing trip and girls spa day, so more pics to come!

 

Daddy's helpers