Loving Winter in California

We had a very nice Thanksgiving and traveled to Santa Clara for the 49ers/Seahawks game.  The next day we traveled on to Santa Rosa to see family.  The kiddos were very excited to play with cousins and had a ball.  The women got to venture off and do some wine tasting which was great fun.  It was a nice break from the everyday norm.

We've been a busy crew getting ready for Christmas.  We are loving the fall like feel to the weather right now in December.  I was worried without the bitter cold it wouldn't feel like Christmas but it isn't bothering me a bit!  It's a good thing we don't have the cold since Jack refuses to wear pants, only shorts for him.  He's become quite the pain in the butt to dress as he has two favorite shirts and wants nothing to do with the rest of his wardrobe.  Getting him dressed in nice clothes for Christmas may be exhausting!  We've been checking out the Christmas activities to do around here and getting to enjoy being outdoors as well.

Miss Ellie got a new bike!  

Jack got a new helmet he was pretty excited about,
he wore it all day and night but probably only spent about 5 minutes on his bike.

Ellie was cruising the neighborhood with Jack running alongside her.
She was shouting "hey every body, I got a new bike," as she rode.  

She was pretty proud of her Princess bike and matching helmet thanks to Papa Jack!

She was also all about yelling, "Whoa hoo" all around the neighborhood!

Making our Advent wreath...

Ellie picked out the decor and was quite the hard worker!

Jack wasn't into decorating, his contribution was placing the final candle in its place.

Children's Museum of Santa Rosa...

Ellie was finding slugs everywhere!

 Ellie is all about the "ta da" pose, so Jack has to do it too.

They can be so sweet.

They are all about jumping off of stuff lately!

Tree trimming time...

Ellie was the first to hang an ornament on the tree.

Next up was Jack with his little red wagon.

My church Mom's group cookie exchange party...

The kiddos decorated gingerbread cookies.

Then we played place baby Jesus in the manger.

Ellie did pretty good, but I have a feeling she may have been peeking!

Then Jack had his turn and he was a little dizzy.

Not quite in the manger but right by Mary is a good place to be.

Finishing off our Decor at home...

Our annual trip to the Pet Santa to get the whole family in!