On the Sixth day of Christmas...

...I took the kids to meet my family down at our favorite beach: Corona del Mar. Playing in the sand and rock climbing were the main activities (it being December and all), but some wading did happen (brrr!).

On the Fifth Day of Christmas...

...my sister was in town!

My dad watched all four grandkids plus John while the ladies had tea with dear family friends. The cousins played and played and played! I came back to hear Elijah saying, "I am not a battle droid; I am a little horse."

On the Fourth Day of Christmas...

...Elijah woke up and asked, "Is it Christmas?" We visited Great-Grandma and got in some morning playtime with Grandpa and Grandma before it was time to head back home. Elijah spent almost the entire five hour drive reading his new Christmas books.

On the Third Day of Christmas...

...it was the Guenther family Christmas!

Candy canes for breakfast--yum!

Skyping with Heather and Joel so they could watch us open their presents.

Aunt Heather made the adorable train backpack!

After presents, it was time to play the new games. Elijah got a couple of rounds of Lotto in before naptime (when the adults were finally able to play their new games).

Ending the day with Grandma's chocolate pie!

On the Second Day of Christmas..

...we went to the Friesen family Christmas up in Fresno.

We enjoyed lots and lots of good food.

Elijah was captivated by the little village with a train.

After stockings, Grandma Friesen always takes the grandchildren to the bookstore to choose a book.

And we ended the evening with a game of Taboo.

On the First Day of Christmas...

Whilst others are done posting their New Year's goals, I'm still on Christmas. But the kids are cute, so enjoy!

This year, we went to church and then headed up to my Uncle's to celebrate Christmas with my family.

After a delicious dinner, there was time to have a sword fight with grandpa in the backyard.

Then we walked to town square to visit the snowman and creche. (Josiah and Doug stayed and napped --Grandma was the adult presence ready to wake Doug up if Josiah needed to be picked up.)

Every year, a family brings snow down from the mountains to make the snowman.

Then more presents...


And other people to watch...
and play with...

Then hugs all around before driving up to Fresno!

On Christmas Eve...

With church Christmas morning, we decided to have our own Christmas celebration on Christmas Eve.
Elijah was quite excited by the presents.

Josiah liked having lots of things to pick up and hold.

Then it was time to play!

In the evening, we headed down to my parents for our traditional dinner of beef brisket and cranberry jello.