Christmas Catch-Up

Well, I'm way behind in all the goings-on of our lives. So here's my attempt to recall all the fun memories I've neglected to post for the past two months. :) {And yes... that means this is likely to be a ginormously long post. Fair warning.} :)

Starting back with Christmas (I can't believe I'm that far behind!)... the girls and I flew out to Cali on December 15th. (We scored a super good deal on some plane tickets for that day and figured it was worth the early head start on the holidays). :) So we were the first of family to come into town, and that meant we had some good alone time with Grandma and Grandpa before the masses assembled. :)
First on the list of things to do was a trip to Legoland.

LEGOLAND, CA {December 16th}

Fun rides...

Fun food...

Funny people... :)

And we even got to play in some SNOW! (California style) :)

We had a fabulous time!! (THANKS GRANDMA!!!)

{December 17th}
The next day we got a surprise early visit from Santa! He had stopped by in the night to drop off some presents for all the grandkids that were coming into town... roller skates and plasma cars! This was an ironic coincidence since Dixie and Summer had asked for roller skates for Christmas this year. So these early ones made for good practice until their own could come on Christmas Day. Part of the learning process involved a bit of falling down on the bum, so Grandma and Uncle Matt created a lovely little device we affectionately called the 'Bum Protector'... or the diaper. :)

It didn't last long, but it was sure hilarious while it did! :)

That evening we also made a trip down to San Diego with Kristi's family as well for a live nativity in Old Towne, and we happened to run into some of my cousins (the Lunds) who were participating in the event. What a fun coincidence! We also stopped at the temple grounds to see the beautiful lights there as well.

{December 19th}

Of course we had to make a bunch of Christmas Cookies to destroy any ideas of healthy eating over the holidays...

 {perhaps with an occasional bit of cousin rivalry? What?? Not from MY child!} :)

Christmas Eve Day {December 24th}

We were apparently feeling brave this day because we endeavored two different sets of family photo shoots. The first one was a nativity photo shoot. Each year the family is together, we do a traditional re-enactment of the Christmas Story. This year, my mom went all out in making adorable nativity costumes for the grandkids. So of course we had to get some good pictures with them, right? Easier said than done! Holy moly! 

We went to the Leo Carillo Ranch for a good backdrop setting, got all the kids in their costumes (Dixie and Summer were both part of the "3 Wisemen" crowd, along with Madelyn)...

 {What cute wisemen!!} :)

 {...some shepherds...}

 {...Mary with Baby Jesus...}

...And then we attempted to stage the scene. :) Haha! Would you believe that probably 100 or more pictures were taken (between all the cameras that were there), and not a SINGLE SHOT got the entire group looking in the same direction at the same time or without some major drama going on? :)

Here's a taste of the blooper reel...

Shepherd in tears...

Wiseman's bottle of myrrh on the loose...

Shepherd lured back onstage with some goldfish snacks...

Shepherd attacked by sheep... :)

 And these are probably my top picks for the winner shots...

 Thank goodness for Photoshop, right? It was a valiant effort though, and my hat goes off to all the parents for hanging in there with no complaints. :)

Jim also flew in on the 24th, which completed the entire family. We had a scant 36 hours in which the entire gang would actually be in town together, so we took a breather from the morning's picture chaos and then we all donned our family picture outfits and were off for another photo shoot of the entire gang. (You gotta take advantage of these opportunities when they happen!)
Blessedly, this photo shoot was actually quite painless and went really smooth! *whew!* :)

{The Mark Packard Family}

{Grandkids}

{The Jim Roberts Family}

(And no... we never got one with all of us looking at the camera, and yes... I'm aware that I look like a big fat pregnant whale (who let me pose like that??), but the pictures will do for now.) :)

That evening was our Christmas Eve Nativity 'pageant', which was thoroughly enjoyable and a wonderful reminder as to why we celebrate the Christmas season. But I'll spare you any additional pictures, considering they went as well as the morning's attempts. :)

{Christmas Day} was wonderful, magical and full of fun. The girls each got their new roller skates they were hoping for (but we got this all on video, so there's no pictures of it) along with some fun play items for their kitchen and dolls at home (like a play cash register, and play mixer, dolly clothes, etc.) They were so blessed with so many fun things. Jim got his Christmas present earlier in the month (an iPhone 4s... which he STILL talks about how much he loves!), and then on Christmas he surprised me with a Kindle Fire! (All I had wanted was a gift card to JoAnn's... which I also got!) Talk about spoiled! :)

Each of the granddaughters got a special present from Grandma. She read them a story about being a true princess (the kind of princess that's within each of us), and then they each got a special, handmade (by Grandma!) princess dress that puts Disney to shame. They are amazingly beautiful dresses and the girls could not wait to put them on and feel like a real princess. :) They even got an invitation to a special Princess "Tea Party" for the next day at Grandma's house. :)

We had cinnamon rolls for breakfast (tradition), opened presents and played all morning long, and then got ready for church. It was actually quite nice to have church on Christmas Day. It was a musically sweet and spiritual time out from all the presents and worldliness that has become so much a part of the day.

Princess Training {December 26th}

So the next day, was Princess Training 101. Each of the granddaughters got dressed up in their beautiful princess dresses. We did hair... we did nails... and then the girls were off to a special Princess Training where they learned the qualities of a true princess. Each of us Aunts took turns at different 'stations' reading stories and giving examples that exemplified the different qualities the girls were supposed to learn. There was courage, kindness, and integrity (or was it honesty?).

{...Getting dolled up...}

{...Ready for their Training...}

{...Kindness w/ Mommy & Auntie Kris...}

{...Honesty w/ Auntie Annie & Auntie Erin...}

{...Courage w/ Auntie Ang & Auntie Jenna...}

(apparently Dixie wasn't quite sure about some of it...) :)

{And then they redeemed their value medallions for their Princess tiaras}

{Well done, you beautiful princesses!}

{They also learned to walk like a Princess...}

{...and wave like a Princess...} :)

Time for the Royal Photo Shoot...

{...Princess Dixie Jean...}

{...Princess Summer Anne...}

And FINALLY they could sit down to have a bite to eat. :) They even got to enjoy their 'tea party' on Grandma's fine china. What a special treat!

Congratulations on your 'Princess' status, girls. You will always be Mommy and Daddy's little princesses!! (And a big BIG thank you to Grandma and all the Aunties for helping make this such a special day!)

{The rest of the Christmas Break} was filled with playing with cousins, roller skating, birthdays for Mommy and Daddy, a trip to Chuck E. Cheese for a pseudo celebration of Summer's upcoming birthday, Daddy getting the 24-hour flu, some beach time, tennis, a trip to the dentist for Dixie to get some cavities filled, and just some good ol' fashioned family fun. 

 {By the end of the vacation, Dixie was cruising along on her skates and Summer was doing pretty awesome herself!} :)

 {The trampoline is ALWAYS fun}

 {Dr. Uncle Matt did AMAZING with Dixie. He put her mind at ease, talked her through the whole process on her level, and was even able to give her a shot (on TWO different occasions no less!) without her flinching in the slightest. Way to go Dr. Matt!}

{Getting in a little family softball game while hanging out at the park...}

Jim was able to be there in Cali with us for an entire week and we were able to enjoy one of the best family vacations I can remember in a long time. It was nice, relaxing, quality family time. 

Thanks family for the wonderful happy memories!

Okay! And that wraps up the Christmas Vacation. :) Next up... January. But that will have to wait for another day! :)