Christmas comes thrice

We celebrated Christmas with the Geddes clan after returning from Seattle and even had a chance to spend time with Kendra and Joseph, who were visiting from Utah. They stayed at our place a few nights, spent lots of quality time with the boys--who still miss "Aunt Kendwa and Uncle Josie," and introduced Stephen to his new favorite video game, Lego Star Wars (Wii).

Santa's second visit--this time Seattle

Shepherds, "Aunt Kendra," Bret, and Benito

The wisemen of modern fast food, Stephen and I

Bennett/Joseph, Kendra/Mary, and Kendra's American Girl doll playing baby Jesus

Benito with Lilly, Christian, and Ashlyn

Cousins!

Apparently we were having too much fun in Seattle to take pictures . . . these are the only shots we have. We really did have a great time, though, staying with "Granddad Jory," Connie, Brett and Bennett's buddy Kendra. Jenae, Bret, and Ethan were there from Portland, making the visit doubly fun, and we even got to see my big brother Jason. Christmas day brought Ashley, Clint, and SNOW!!!!!! Big, gorgeous flakes fell down and actually stuck to the ground for a few hours, long enough for my born and raised Cali kids to experience their first white Christmas. We also had the chance to spend a day with Annalisa, Stephen's sister, and her family who live up north. Bennett and Eli loved hanging out with their beloved cousins.

Santa's Booty

Bennett was all concern on "Christmas Eve"--we celebrated about three days early since we were heading up to Seattle--about how Santa was going to fit down our chimney. He kept trying to look up the fireplace to make sure Santa would have room to come down, and then he tells me, "Mom, be sure to put water on the fire so that Santa's bottom doesn't burn," even though there was no fire burning at the time.

And speaking of booty, I really felt like I had done the bare minimum for gifts this year... but once it was all opened and sitting there in our living room, it seemed like a lot. A lot of loot.

p.s. Benito truly is my child in that photo with the scooter. I can't tell you how many shots were taken of me on Christmas morning JUST like that one: the closed eyes, the half smile, the "Do I really have to do this?" look. It's all so familiar.

Birthday/Christmas Train Ride

I thought I'd hate having a baby born so close to the holidays, but this year I don't seem to mind. It provides the perfect reason to get together with friends and do something fun for Christmas. Vasona Park in Los Gatos puts up a huge lights display every year that you can drive through and see from your car, OR you can ride the outdoor train that runs through the park to see all the lights. As the parents of two train-crazy boys, we didn't have to think too hard about that one. So we met up with our friends for cookies and hot chocolate, carousel rides for the kids, and then the super fun albeit chilly train ride through the park to see the dazzling light displays.
 

Has it really been a year?

Eli Jonathan turned one today, and we had a small celebration this evening with cake (that I'm ashamed to say was left over from Monday night's FHE treat) and a present (that I'm ashamed to say was not from us). Poor #2 is really getting the shaft! We intend to make up for it tomorrow night, however. Promise.

Boys

The three of them always seem to end up wrestling. It doesn't matter where they are in the house, they just can't resist tackling and tickling each other.

The art of imitation

The second we put our tree up we were busy barricading it off from Senor Travieso (troublemaker, aka Eli), sure he'd be pulling the whole tree over with his freakish baby strength. Considering that he gets into pretty much EVERYthing else he's not supposed to, I think both Stephen and I had visions of his inevitable tannenbaum mischief: tugging on branches, snapping beloved ornaments in two, unplugging the lights and/or trying to eat the individual twinkle lights, and generally wrecking the whole tree. Hence the wall of furniture and boxes to keep Godzilla out. Not exactly the kind of holiday feng shui I would've liked... but oh well. How surprised were we, then, to find our little destroyer displaying a rare moment of gentility as he carefully tried to place an ornament on the tree? No one knows how he weaseled through the barricade, but once we was through all he did was take a little Elmo ornament off the tree and then gently try to put it back on, and back on, and back on again. He didn't want to kill the tree afterall; he just wanted to do what we were doing--decorate it.

The other un-Christmas tree shots are from a live nativity we went to Saturday night, complete with live camels, sheep, and donkeys; Roman soldiers that were "mean and grumpy", according to Bennett; shepherds and wisemen, and of course the live manger scene with Mary, Joseph, and a real newborn babe. A local Baptist church put it on and attracted quite the crowd.

Turkey and Temple

I realize we're a little late, but here are a few shots from Thanksgiving. We had Stephen's family over for a modest feast (this was our first time hosting for turkey day), and while sadly we didn't get a pic of everyone together... here are a few pre-meal shots that Stephen took. Food and family always go well together for us. Post-meal activities included playing soccer out back, playing Mexican Train dominoes, and laughing at Eli, who threw down some serious food. Not only did he eat a LOT of turkey, mashed potatoes (which he smeared all over face, hair, and ears), stuffing, green beans, etc., but he then proceeded to beg for apple pie and pumpkin cheesecake off anyone willing to share, and even those who weren't. That kid eats like a linebacker.

The next day was the Oakland temple lighting, the perfect occasion to fulfill Bennett's month-long wish of seeing "Jesus and Santa at the temple." (When we told him we were going to see the Christmas lights at the temple, his little mind jumped to the conclusion that both of them must live there.) Stephen's parents came with and made for fun company as we walked the grounds and visitors' center, waiting for the lighting. Benito didn't want to leave once the lights did come on, wanting to look at every different color and type of light, but Eli the escape artist had worn out the adults by that time . . . so we dragged B back to the car and caught our final glimpses of the Christmas temple and San Francisco by night in the background.