Christmas Memories!

So, December in our house was full of a whole lot of fun. We began the month with a fantastic trip to Disneyland. My parents were able to come again with us (couldn't have imagined doing it without them) and we had such a fun time together. We enjoyed spectacular warm weather, snow on Main Street, Christmas decorations like nothing else and most of all, 3 fun-filled days together as a family. The kids were such troopers. Olivia was all about the roller coasters (even California Screamin' at CA Adventure). We (Olivia, my mom, and I) enjoyed dancing and singing during the "High School Musical 3" concert. Nathan enjoyed "Star Tours", the "Playhouse Disney" show and even "Space Mountain" (that one surprised me). Matty really enjoyed "Buzz Lightyear" (again) and he really liked the new "Toy Story Mania" ride. He was even chosen to participate in the "Jedi Training Academy" show (don't worry, I filmed the entire thing). Derek couldn't have been a better baby throughout the 3 crazy days. He went on all the rides he could and liked looking at all the lights. He wasn't very crazy about the characters though. Our trip was full of laughter and smiles and that is what I will remember most. Even when Matty got a sliver in his hand while waiting for "Thunder Mountain", all he really cared about was the extra fast pass a Disneyland worker gave him because of it. I really can't believe all we were able to do and see in those 3 small days. It was amazing. (You can see some great photos from our trip below in an earlier blog entry.) We ended our Southern CA trip with an overnight visit with David's grandparents. I took some really great pictures of the kids with their great-grandparents. December was off to a great start.

Christmas Kindergarten Performance

The last week of school in December brought Mattingly's Kindergarten Christmas Performance. They sang some really cute songs and he did great. He knew the words and all the hand movements. He really liked singing, "We Wish You a Merry Christmas". Here he is all dressed up for his big night. My parents, Lisa (my super great friend) and her girls were able to join us for the performance. We went back to our house afterwards for some hot chocolate and cookies.
He learned all the sign language for the song "Silent Night". Very cool.

"Park-a-Thon"

On our first Monday of Winter Break, David took our 3 older kids on a special outing while I took Derek to his 9 month check-up. He called it a "Park-A-Thon". They took a timer with them and set it for about 12 minutes. When the timer went off, they stopped playing at the park they were at and moved on to the next park. They did this 6 times...visiting most of the parks in Galt. They absolutely loved moving from park and to park and getting to play with their Daddy. It was a perfect sunny morning for such an adventure. I love that my husband is the type of father that thinks of these kinds of ideas for his kids. I also love that he gets to be home with them during their winter, spring, and some of their summer break. They really are blessed to have him for a dad.

Light Saber battles at the park.

Hi Matty!

Hi Livie!

Hi Nathan!

Below is a great video of Livie and Nathan laughing and enjoying their "Park-A-Thon" day with Daddy. I have no idea why it isn't showing in a vertical format. Sorry about that. Just tilt your head a bit. :)

Christmas Tree Lane

Monday night before Christmas, we had a great Family Home Evening together with our friends, Sean & Lisa and their girls. We drove up to a fancy neighborhood in Sacramento to check out an area I had read about in the paper. All the houses on a few streets have created a really neat display of Christmas lights, inflatables, nativity scenes, and more. We parked our cars and walked "Christmas Tree Lane" together.Most of the sidewalks were lined with archways lit up with Christmas lights. It felt like you were walking in a tunnel. Here is Matty, Livie, Sydney, Nathan & Hannah. (Kendall & Derek were being pushed in strollers)

Santa was there taking last minute Christmas wishes from kids. It was great. Derek was the only one afraid of the jolly old elf. Each of the kids took turns sitting on his knee long enough for me to snap a photo and for them to ask for something for Christmas. Livie asked for a vanity. Matty asked for a Wii and Nathan asked for "Star Wars Stuff". One out of three was pretty good, Santa. Nathan did get some "Star Wars Stuff".

After "Christmas Tree Lane", we headed over to the Sacramento Capital Building to see the Christmas tree. We had a few kids who needed a bathroom, so it was time for us to get going to our last stop...Cold Stone for ice cream.

We needed one last photo together. We had to make it a silly one. Not hard to do with this group. We had a great night celebrating not only the Christmas season, but friendship too.

Christmas Day 2008

Christmas morning brought lots of excitement to our house. The kids were happy with the gifts they got and were very excited to give their gifts too. Both Olivia and Matty got to shop alone this year for their family members. There was a Santa's Shop at their school. I can remember doing the same thing when I was in elementary school. They each brought $5 to school and got to buy 5 gifts (I love the Dollar Store). They picked out great gifts for their siblings and parents. Good job guys! This year Olivia was very excited about the pink Razor Scooter Santa brought her. She also liked her pink and white polka dot basketball from Grammy and Papa. And of course she loved all the doll clothes for her American Girl doll sewn by Grandma Lynnie. Matty was excited about his remote control Hummer from Santa and loved his new Webkinz from his Grammy and Papa. Grandma and Grandpa spoiled him with a great Legos Speed Racer set and a new Indiana Jones whip that plays the theme music with every crack of the whip (gotta love that!). Nathan was thrilled with his new Clone Wars dress up Clonetrooper outfit from Santa. He shoots Nerf darts all around these days thanks to his very own Nerf gun from Grammy and Papa. And yes, Nathan has an Indiana whip, too. He and Matty have fun playing "Indi" as they call it. Derek was happy playing with all the wrapping paper and his new stuffed dog. He got to wear his red "Baby's First Christmas" pajamas and we chased him away from the Christmas tree over and over and over.

Christmas evening at my mom and dad's house. I finally got a Christmas photo of all 4 of them under a tree.

Derek's First Christmas 2008

Christmas Disneyland Trip

Minnie & Olivia

Toontown

Olivia was really excited to get her face painted on our last day at Disneyland.
It turned out so pretty.

We really only needed to bundle up on our last night.
We felt so lucky enjoying the almost 80 degree weather in December.

David, Derek & Matty catching a ride on Dumbo. Love that sunshine!


We were thrilled when Matty was selected from the crowd to participate in the Jedi Training Academy. He dressed up in his Anakin Skywalker costume (thank you Rachel for that tip) and waved his hand around...and sure enough, he got picked. After his training, he was the first kid to fight Darth Maul. He did so great. It was so much fun to watch.

Tea Cups with Mommy.


It snowed (soap suds) on Mainstreet while we were there. Disneyland was beautiful with all the decorations and the lights. Wait till you see the picture below of the castle.

Our first ride, of course.

Is this a happy baby or what? Grandpa looks pretty happy at Disneyland, too!

Grandma and the kids on the Jungle Cruise


See what I mean about the castle...it was amazing.
Matty, me and Derek














You can now tour the inside of Sleeping Beauty's castle.

Sophie

After spending Thanksgiving Day with my parents, we returned home to a very sad situation. We couldn't find our 8 year old dog Sophie. She somehow got out of the backyard while we were away and she was missing. There was no indication as to how she got out. She loved to chase any animal that walked along the top of our fence...so maybe this time she managed to jump it? David immediately went to look for her with the car. It was dark and after searching for over an hour and a half he returned home without her. We hung signs, made phone calls and searched for her again the days following. Yesterday afternoon we got a call from a lady in town who saw her running on the highway Thanksgiving night near the exit closest to our house. She told us how she turned around and tried to find her but couldn't. I knew I needed to go look for her in the area this lady told me about. I found her lying in the center divide of the highway. My heart broke and I couldn't believe this was happening. We told the kids last night and Olivia was just crushed. Our friend Sean went and picked up Sophie for us and then took her to the animal shelter today. Olivia is doing better today, but she misses Sophie. The boys I don't think really understand what has happened. Matty has been working to cheer up Olivia as best as he can. Nathan asked again today, "When will Sophie come home?" Sophie was a fun and energetic dog who absolutely loved to chase a ball and that is what I will remember most about her. She was a pain at times (like a lot of pets), but that really doesn't seem to matter to me. I will miss watching her play with my kids and just being the crazy dog that she was. I really wish this hadn't happened. Losing a pet is tough on us grown-ups too. Rest in peace Sophie.

We love you.

Sophie

July 16, 2000 - November 27, 2008