Our big Christmas surprise for the boys was given in clues.
First clue for Isaac:
Orlando!
Second clue for Eli:
Oranges! (from Florida)
Third clue for Logan:
And the final, most obvious clue for Camden:
Yeah, we’re going to DISNEYWORLD!!!!!
And believe it or not, they didn’t get it until the final clue. :)
Last night the boys were counting the money in their wallets. Logan surprised everyone by having the most money in his wallet. He received some birthday money and never spent it. His wallet has been in his “special hiding spot” for the last couple of months.
So Logan says, “I’m rich. I’m so rich I’m like a robber!”
This is our Christmas tree. Huge as usual. It’s over 10 feet tall and 7 feet wide. And it looks so much better in real life!
Logan made the star for the top of it. His comment as we were decorating the tree, "Now it's starting to look like a real Christmas tree."
I wasn’t exactly thrilled about the snow and cold, bitter weather coming, but a day at home with no school, no work was just what I needed.
We slept in, baked Christmas cookies (egg free, wheat free, soy free, dairy free and they’re good! All my boys like them. I am finally getting the hang of this allergen free cooking from scratch), watched football, did some laundry, but mostly we just enjoyed each other. It was just what I needed and I feel better ready to attack the insane week ahead of me. I have a feeling today is going to be kind of low key too though because it’s like –20 out there. Brrrr!
I hope these pictures can catch you up on some of what we’ve been up to:
Camden got a haircut. The curls are gone. NOT what I wanted but the lady hacked it off. The good news is this picture was taken a month ago and his hair is already growing back and I do believe the curls are still there. :)
Just had to add this one in here. These two are two peas in a pod.
Camden is very “into” coloring with little scribbles. He spends much time doing these little scribbles. Also, don’t mind the no pants—he’s being potty trained, which he gets wonderfully with underwear on and no pants, but as soon as pants go on, he has an accident. So you can find him walking around pantless a lot around here. Good thing our house is 72 degrees!
These are my wheat free, egg free, dairy free cinnamon rolls. The whole family liked these! Even Dad. :)
This is how we decorate our tree around here considering it’s over 10 feet tall and 7 feet wide!
Camden couldn’t stay away and leave these cookies alone!
Decorating the wheat free, egg free, soy free, dairy free sugar cookies!
Camden liked eating the dough a little too much. Good thing there were no eggs in it!
My kitchen was such a mess! But it was fun.
Ta da!!!!! The allergen free sugar cookies! I am so proud!
Again, eating the dough and decorations.
(Yes, I know, Camden has no pants on…again.)
Yum! This dough is good!
Eating the dough…again.
Yum! The cookies!
Merry Christmas!
I so wanted to write a post on gratitude and thankfulness for the holiday. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I love it because it’s simply celebrated for one main reason: thankfulness.
However, after returning from my “joy”ous weekend, it has been one thing after another overwhelming me. Don’t get me wrong—I am SO thankful for every blessing in my life! It’s just been hard to relax and enjoy this time.
This season is my favorite time of year. Thanksgiving is so wonderful and then it’s followed by Christmas which is so festive with all the lights and decorations. I just love it all. Even the busyness of it all.
This year is a bit different though and it will be a bit harder to just “enjoy” it all. But I guess we all need to have one of “those” years, right?
I just feel a bit overwhelmed by life, emotions, day-to-day things. I don’t ask for sympathy or pity. I just ask for prayers.
Right now I can enjoy the holidays through the eyes of my little ones. They always seem to be able to remind me of the simple things.
I pray you are able to sit back and enjoy this holiday season. Thank God for every blessing you have and remember the true reason for the season.
Blessings.
“Surprise!”
And Joy just stood there completely shocked.
Hugs all around trying to bring her out of shock.
We were so giddy and couldn’t stop laughing. Ellie is looking at us like we’re nuts!
First stop, of course, had to be at The Wharf.
And the beach!
We saw 10 or so dolphins right off shore jumping and putting on a lil’ show. It was almost like Sea World—honestly! They hung around for quite some time.
Ellie posing by the ducks.
Ellie and I hanging out in the great big wonderful California trees!
And then of course, the PAR-TAY!
Open your eyes, Olga! :)
Sisters 3 being goofy!
