Christmas Eve

Monday December 24th!

I got up nice and early and headed to the grocery store before the crowds.  I got all the things we needed for Christmas dinner and then made 2 more last minute stops and was home by 10 AM!  I was DONE!  Jeremy had the day off and was home to play with us.  We just had a nice chill day hanging out and wrapping the few presents we had.  Cali spent the day baking cookies and around 4 PM we loaded up the car and made 2 visits.  First, we took some cookies to the DeLuca's and wished them a Merry Christmas.  Second, we stopped by Gamichele's and gave her a little decorated Christmas tree and wished her a Merry Christmas.  Then, we headed off to Fallbrook for the Wilson Family Christmas Eve Celebration!

 Nana made a yummy Ham dinner with all the fixin's.  Then the kids enjoyed making cookies with Aunt Mishelle....a favorite tradition!  And look and Benny & Papa-they match:

 Once the cookies were made, it was PRESENT TIME!  I had Zac this year...

 I got him a tie (it was sparkly and not even real...but it was on his wish list!)-

 AND a CD of some band...but he really likes it!

 Then it was the kids' turns...

 They all loved their gifts!  Then Nana & Papa opened theirs...here they are opening our gift, an outdoor fire pit!  And we got them marshmallow sticks and marshmallows!

 Even Sam the Dog got a present...a new bed!  And she loves it!

 After presents, we had a nice little Christmas program where we went around reading scriptures and talking about the different symbols of Christ.  Then we had a little fun decorating Nana & Papa Trees!

Team #1-

 Team #2-

 They had 2 minutes to get their trees decorated.  Look how beautiful they are:

 Team #2-group shot

 Team 1-group shot

 It was getting late, and the kids were getting tired....

 They all got on their pj's from Gramma Gerry and we finished the night with a reading of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" from Papa.  It was hilarious because he read it with a Mexican accent!

 We said our goodnights to the family and I had to take 1 last picture of my little girl as a 10 year old...

 When we got home, these 2 had a plan....

They both hopped into Cali's bed and were going to stay up all night waiting for Santa.  They were so cute and heartbroken when we took the ipad away and told them they needed to go to sleep.

But they did eventually fall asleep & 

SANTA CAME!

It's Practically Here!!

Wow!  I can't believe it's here.  It came so quickly this year.  We were so busy, we didn't even get to go caroling this year.  I spent the rest of the week being gone every night and working everyday!  Wednesday night, I went with Jen to Ward Temple Night.  Thursday night, I got some last minute shopping done.  Friday night, Jeremy and I took some time to go on a short date and shop some more.  Saturday, I ran errands all day and we had to do a run-through for the Christmas Cantata.  We snuck in a visit to Mark & Tracy's to drop off gifts and take Sarah some ice cream for her swollen cheeks (she got her wisdom teeth out!).  We also managed to drive down a couple streets of lights, before heading home for the night.  Sunday was another busy, yet wonderful day!  Jeremy sang in the choir and in a quartet.  Cali and Luke had a duet and I played the piano.  My Young Womens Christmas Lesson, about the White Stocking, went really well.  After church, I went on my first inactive visits.  I was so scared.  But they all went well and I'm so glad I went.  Then I came home and vegged.  I was exhausted!!!  We just hung out together that night and watched "Elf".

Oh!  After church, we also took a couple picture of us in our Christmas clothes:

Take 1:  Daisy jumped in for a kiss!

Take 2:  The Good One

Take 3:  The Real Us!

Young Womens Christmas Party

Last night was my first YW Christmas Party!  All the leaders brought yummy treats and everyone brought silly socks to exchange!

 I was able to sneak in a spiritual story with them and then we decorated our "tree" leaders!

Beehives and Cali

Mia Maids

Laurels

 I love these ladies!  I would be lost without them!

Sister Robertson, Sister Houk and Sister Soto

 I had so much fun!  I hope all the girls did too!  Aren't they beautiful?

 The boys were at Gav's Court of Honor during the party.  Gav got his First Class and a bunch of merit badges.  When these 2 saw Cali's socks...they couldn't resist...

 THEY"RE SO FLUFFY!!!!!

Christmas Kick-Off

 Instead of Monday Night Football this week, we headed over to Gammy's & Papa's for our Christmas with them.  They are leaving on Thursday to spend Christmas with Gav, Shawn and their kiddos.  The house was all nice and decorated and Gammy made the yummiest dinner and desserts!  She made special things that everyone likes!  We ate first and then it was present time!

Love the Nutcracker

Kids' Table

 Funny Story:

So, Papa wanted another roll and asked my mom to throw him one.  She did...and it landed in Jeremy's drink!  Doh!

 The kids wanted to open their gifts and gathered around Gammy's feet and begged:

 They were all a little excited:

 And Carter wanted me to take a picture of the holes in his socks-

 Before presents, Dad read a really sweet poem about the "Inn Key".  I always love hearing his stories or lessons on Christmas.  He's done this my whole life (sniff, sniff...)

 We started opening presents by going youngest to oldest.  Brody was first, and all my kids got tickets to DISNEYLAND!!!! Yay!!!  Thanks Gammy & Papa!

 I got a Disneyland ticket too, But Jeremy got a bag of fun stuff and some $$$!

 Here's Gammy modeling her gift from Mark & Tracy's crew.  I love it!

 All of us went in and got Gammy and Papa a new calendar.  They loved it!  (Phew!)  And I only messed up one birth date...my dad's!  Doh Again!

 Everyone had fun hanging out and playing and eating!  Mark and Tracy got our family a Mexican Train game and candy for the kids!

 Weird Story:

Luke started freaking out and complaining that his leg was cramping.  I went over to help, and lifted up his pant leg.  There was a stinger sticking out of his knee!  A bee had stung him...through his jeans!  But we couldn't figure out how or where!  It was weird...poor Lukey!

 Gammy and Papa got each family "Headbandz" the game.  These kids had so much fun playing it.  There was a lot of laughing going on-

 And we all started cracking up when we saw Luke's headband!  

It was a great night...but short!  It was a school night.  Plus, we were missing our Florida family (sniff, sniff...again).  But it was a great start to the last week of Christmas.  Merry Christmas McEwan Family!  

To see all my pics...Click HERE.