Visiting American Girl @ The Grove

"Susie", Meran, "Rose", Jameson & "George"

Just kickin' it with the kids


A treat after a hard day of shopping...Haagen Dazs, yum!

Jason and I took the kids (minus Sutton who stayed home with Grandma & Grandpa to take a nap) to The Grove in L.A. on Sunday after church. We mainly went to get their new dolls some new outfits. This was Jameson's first trip where he had a doll (we call it a Bitty Baby, not an American Girl Doll). He enjoyed being able to participate in the fun while at the American Girl Store. They put their money together and purchased a 4 pack of doll costumes that included, a butterfly, bumble bee, dinosaur & superhero. They dressed their doll in their new costumes on the way home and Jameson hasn't taken off little George's superhero costume yet!

Merry Christmas

Family on Christmas Day
Lauren, Alexandra & Addilyn

Papa (my grandpa-who Jameson is named after) with most of his great-grandkids


Christmas morning, with Uncle Benjamin

Christmas Eve

When we are at my mom & dad's house for Christmas this is what our celebration looks like:

Christmas Eve church service & Aunt Bertha's tamales, Mom's rice & beans~the best you've ever had! Celebrate with my dad's family.

Christmas Day-gifts, breakfast, my mom's family comes over, more gifts, eat a delicious dinner, watch the Laker game, dessert...a late night walk in attempt to walk off a few of the pieces of See's Candy I ate! (i think i have eaten a whole pound of candy over the course of our week here).

Addilyn Joy

We are getting to spend LOTS of time with our precious Addilyn Joy...and that she is! Addi is my youngest brother, Dustin, and his wife Lauren's little girl who is 9 months old. The kids love "baby Adawin" (as Jameson calls her).

Huntington Harbour Cruise of Lights

This year we did something we had never done before. We took a Harbor Cruise in Huntington Beach, where the homes and boats were decorated beautifully and festively with lots and lots of Christmas lights. It was a perfect way to enter the Christmas week!

Happy Birthday Jesus Cake

Sutton enjoyed "tasting" the frosting

Waiting patiently for the frosting

While visiting Grandma & Grandpa Lozano's house for Christmas the kids decorated cakes that Grandma had made for them...Happy Birthday Jesus Cakes...a tradition!

Jameson's Preschool Christmas Party

Sutton was there, but he was more interested in playing with the kitchen

than hanging out with us for pictures.

Jameson & Grandma Neese
Note the tie...totally his idea.
(I was surprised at the request when I was getting him ready, but secretly I was yelling "yeah!")


Guess who frosted these cookies?!?

Singing Christmas Songs for Parents & Grandparents

Waiting...after it was all over the teacher said "we'll pray and then have our special snack" . Jameson said out loud,"That's it then?"

Even tonight, when I was praising his singing, he said it was too short.

Jameson's Karate Finale

Note how happy Jameson is...
Meran & Ella waiting for their brothers

They did it!

Note how happy Ms.Bridget looks now that it is over.

Okay, I haven't felt such anxiety as I felt on Tuesday afternoon. Jameson has been taking "karate" at The Little Gym for the past 3 months or so. He LOVES it! The class has 2 teachers and about 6 students...all BOYS ages 4-6.
This past Tuesday was their last class. The parents and some grandparents were invited into the gym to watch them demonstrate what they had "learned" (although I do not believe that you have to teach a 4 yr. old boy to be physical!). The class does recite a little saying before beginning, stating that they won't use their Karate on family, friends or pets (wheh!!), but only if their life is in danger. (hey you never know, right?)

It was HILARIOUS to say the least...Jameson did great, as long as he could stay focused on the teacher and keep his hands and his softee sword to himself. If they were a movie genre, Little boys would be an action thriller, comedy and mystery all rolled into one!

Candy Eating at Grandma's..I mean, Making Gingerbread Houses

Proud of their designs

When the Neese grandchildren turn 3 years old you are granted rights to "the making of the gingerbread houses" with grandma and grandpa Neese. Linda prepares all the houses and fixins'. The 5 grandkids arrive after church with great anticipation! The afternoon probably goes something like this... decorate-eat candy-decorate-make messy-eat candy-decorate-eat a pizza dinner-and if you are jameson, probably eat some more candy!

They look forward to this annual Christmas time event. The houses turn out so cute! They look good enough to eat...

Annual Christmas Celebration with Friends

Ready for dinner!

Kayla, Sydney, Meran & Kenna

Girl Time!

Waiting Patiently for the Gift-Giving to Begin!

Tonight we got together with our good friends, the Olson and Saltzman Families, for our annual Christmas dinner and gift exchange. Our children are all around the same age, and we each have 3 kiddies, so they play wonderfully together. Except that this year, Meran, Sydney & Kayla (all 7 yrs. old) were a little annoyed at times with the younger boys, who would energetically burst thru the rooms, because they were trying to have "girl"time.

This year we met at the Saltzman's home, which fit all 15 of us nicely.

It was relaxing and festive and as usual, our time ended too quickly together.

We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends!

Christmas Tree Lane

We spent last Saturday night in Fresno with good friends, taking in lots & lots of Christmas lights!

"Ooooh" was Sutton's exclamation, all wide eyed.

We started off by gorging, I mean eating dinner, at the DogHouse Grill. Yum!

Luckily walked the Christmas Tree Lane.

It is a tree lined neighborhood with homes that have been there atleast 80 years.

The neighborhood transforms itself into "Christmas Tree Lane" for the month of December...this was its 87th year! I read that it takes them 3 months to prepare the homes with lights and decor!

We piled the kids into the wagon and strollers and off we walked!

Being opening night there were so many people (and dogs!)...music, lights, animation and even Santa was there!

I hope we make it an annual tradition. Everyone had a Merry time!