Christmas Vacation

2013

(continued)

 

 

Part 4: Knott's Berry Farm

 

Years ago my parents started taking their grandchildren to an "experience"

instead of buying them Christmas presents.

Every year is different from the previous year and generally

most of us are able to go along and make it a family day.

We really enjoy just hanging out with each other.

 

This year it was Knott's Berry Farm.

Unfortunately, I think half the population of southern California

and their out-of-state visitors were also there that day.

 

 

 

Some of our group were the thrill seekers and others preferred to

stick to things that don't stop your heart and cause your stomach to drop out.

So, the day was a mixture of crazy and calm rides.

 

Tiana has always wanted to ride a Ferris Wheel.

Wish fulfilled

(although loading and unloading was SO painfully slow).

 

 

 

 

We all went on the train ride together and filled up half the car.

 

 

Nathan was so very "delighted" with his chatty seat partner.

He later said that he had wanted to jump out the window but

was kept in by the bars.

 

 

Another calmer event was the Charlie Brown Christmas ice skating show.

Although, seeing a skater twirl another skater around by her ankles with her head

just inches from the ice caused a few heart flutters.

 

We ended our day well into the night.

There might have been a melt-down or two along the way

but a late supper at Wendy's and a freeway free of traffic

wrapped the night up quite nicely.

 

 

Part 5: Present Time

 

After our belated Christmas dinner on Saturday

it was time for presents.

 

The older girls were suddenly inspired by an engagement

and Pinterest to whip up a personalized gift.

They worked in great secret all morning and then

presented their gift to Matt and Nina.

They loved it and said they would have to take turns having

custody of it; one week at her house and one week at his.

 

The children are all given presents and they each take a turn from

youngest to oldest until their presents are all unwrapped.

 

 

 

Later the adults have a white elephant gift exchange.

We have to find something that we already have and no longer

need, for this exchange.  You never know what you will end up with

or who will steal your present.

 

 

 

Part 6: Wrapping up the Weekend

 

 The baby ended up at urgent care on Saturday night and

was diagnosed with a double ear infection and croup.

Tamara and Ethan stayed home on Sunday.

 

We had a lazy afternoon playing games and not doing much in general.

 

Then evening rolled around and everyone said their final "goodbyes" and

headed to their respective homes. 

 We had the fun of packing everything for our trip the next morning.

 

Goodbye, Southern California.

The land of mountains, clear blue skies, and warm dry air.

The home of both of our families.

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

Christmas Vacation

2013

 

 

Part 1: Before Leaving Home



We make goodies and open presents.

 

You can see some of our Jesse Tree Advent Cards hanging around the

window.  We don't exactly work the system as recommended

but this works for us.

 

 

Not everyone has live music while they make shortbread cookies.

 

Her biggest wish was for a purple scooter. 

Wish granted.

 

 

Part 2: Fun With the Family

 

Since my parents did not get home from Kenya until Dec. 19th, we did not head south

as soon as we typically would have.  We thought they might need some time to

readjust, unpack, and prepare themselves for a house full of people.

The day after our arrival we did some odd jobs for them and had a relaxed day.

 

On Christmas day we went to visit Rudy's brother and his family near San Diego.

These are the only two pictures I have:

#1  This is the remains of the Christmas buffet that his wife's

family brought that night.  As usual, it was amazing.

 

#2  This is what my kids looks like when they are much too full

and someone hands them plates of cheesecake with the command to eat.

The first big activity at my parents' was the traditional cookie
decorating party on the evening of the 26th.

 

This was Ethan's first Christmas so of course he had

to decorate cookies too.

 

Then "soup night" follows cookie decorating.

 

 

 

Part 3: Excitement

Matt had called on Christmas morning to inform everyone that he was engaged to Nina.
On Thursday, someone amongst us decided that Matt's truck needed
some personalized attention while he was away at work.

Matt drove around for a few days with streamers flying and cans dragging.
One guy even came across a parking lot and shook his hand.


To Be Continued...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld

His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,

full of grace and truth"

John 1:14



 

Wrapping It Up

(in an organized manner)

 

 

We have six people in this household who purchase and then wrap presents.

Of course, these people do not want others in the household to know

what they bought so lots of secrecy goes into this gift wrapping business.

So, the needed supplies are gathered and many rustlings take place

behind firmly closed bedroom doors.

 

Last year I decided that I was tired of missing supplies.

Scissors, tape, and wrapping paper had a way of getting lost in the bedrooms.

When I insisted that the wrapping take place in my bedroom,

then my bed was used as a handy place to cut paper.

I feared for the life of my comforter.

I knew there had to be a better way.

 

This year we have a Wrapping Station.

That is a very grand description of a simple table decked out with supplies.

 

This table fit right over the tea cart that sits in front of my bedroom window.

On it are all the necessary items such as: scissors, tape, curling ribbon, and gift labels.

On the tea cart is an assortment of small boxes waiting for gifts.

The storage containers sitting on the floor contain bows and wrapping paper.

 

It has been a wonderful and organized solution.

We are no longer missing supplies

and no one has to hear from me,

"Don't you dare make a hole in my comforter

when you are cutting that paper."

 

****************************

 

Tiana was wanting a Christmas Bible verse to go with a picture she was drawing

so she asked me for some suggestions.  I told her that there were so many verses

that could be for Christmas.  She replied, "Well, I was looking for one kind of like,

And He sat down and feasted."

I told her that was not exactly part of the Christmas story

but that she had a good understanding of American holiday life.