Christian built "hero factory handman " this afternoon. So clever!

Who knew peeling an apple could be so much fun?

                                                             Dane in kindergarten!

                              Jonah in kindergarten!

                                    5th grade Liza!!

Our crafty Christmasy kids :)

Team Twinnie after the successful building of the Atlantis Lego ship shown! Mission complete!

Jonah and his new Buzz toy freshly built!

Another amazing stocking exchange and Christmas pajama party at Mom and Dads!
They are always so generous with us.

Christian opening Dr. Dreadful: "I'm a thousand percent happy!"

Grinch!

The highlight of the party was when Cindy Lou Hou and the Grinch showed up, decked out in perfect costumes. The kids loved it (ok, ok, the adults did too!).

Dane and Juliet

Liza and Juliet

Kevin did an amazing job, as usual, of choosing us a fantastic Cardiff Fork tree. He and Cyle Buxton 

have spoiled us by providing fresh trees for us each year. This one was a record setter for height, fulness and overall beauty. We loved it!

Decorating the tree!

My little helper at the grocery store!

Dane playing songs for his new friends at the assisted living home we visited. They clapped and clapped! He was so sweet to share his talent with them; it really lifted their spirits.

Singing, playing piano and delivering cards and cookies to the elderly really made our Christmas. Liza especially made friends with George, and thought he was hilarious.... When his nurse pushed him away in his wheelchair, he looked at Liza and said, "Whhheeeeeee!"

The Roberts, Barlows and our family spent some time in Grandpas yard clearing tree debris that had fallen a few weeks prior in a severe windstorm. The kids worked hard and felt good knowing that they were helping someone who really needed it.

We had to get creative in order to keep it fun for the little learners today. Kevin took them each down a jumping run, where they could go off mini jumps (which they LOVED). I told them that the ski lift was a rocket launching is into space, and that when we landed , we would be on another planet that we could explore. We had so much fun!

We had a bluebird ski day at Snowbasin the first week of December; it was beautiful and the kids all did really well skiing the bunny hill over and over. Liza and Katie took it at their own. (fast) pace, while Kev and I helped the boys down at their pace. They are all doing so well and are really getting their balance.

The kids made chocolate pretzel treats using multi-colored chocolates and thick pretzels. So fun!

Jonah worked on this skeleton ship all afternoon at Abbas. All of the details are so creative; I was amazed!

Christian at preschool snacktime. We love this place!

Decorating Christmas cookies!

Christian built a neat Lego man while waiting for Jonah and Dane to finish their piano lessons at Brother McKay's house!

Kev, Liza and Katie Stratford kicking off the Christmas season at Michael Mclean's "Forgotten Carols".

Christian while taking care of sick Jonah:

"If his head is cold, let's give him a Santa hat!"

"Mom, if there's not sky, then what does it look like up?"

-Christian, age 4

We were so lucky to find Santa Claus at the South Coast Plaza mall in Orange County!

Laguna Beach at sunset. This is one of my favorite pictures EVER.

Tetherball and mini golf on the grounds of the Marriott kept the kids busy in between outings.

The coy pond near the entrance of our hotel was a big hit until Jonah leaned over too far and went for a short swim! Yikes! We got him all warm and dry and he emerged un-traumatized :)

Legoland! If all four of our kids could move into this place, it would be a done deal. Heaven on earth.

Christian!

Daddy and Jonah on a ride that we had to pedal ourselves!

Liza taking her Legoland "driver's test". She passed with flying colors and now has a driver's license to keep in her wallet.

The kids laughed their heads off at this hilarious show about fighting fire.

Safari time!

Benihana! Don't forget the cheez-its! (ew)

Christian buried up to his knees at a Marine life preserve right near our hotel. We spent the afternoon looking for seashells, starfish, urchins, clams, and even saw dolphins jumping in the waves right off the beach! So much about this trip has been lucky.....we got to skip our promotional presentation at the hotel since our tourguide was sick, we have somehow timed it so that we haven't had to pay for parking in a number of places, and more. We are loving this California adventure!

Liza on a hunt for starfish!

Dane with a lobster tail!

Jonah, Dane and Christian studying pictures of the marine life to look for. One animal their brochures didn't mention: dolphins!! We saw a po of about 15 swimming right along the coast only about 200 feet off shore! This has really been a "lucky" trip!

Jonah with a lobster antennae!

Kev and Liza found 7 starfish out on the rocks behind them!