Christmas

 We embraced every tradition we could to squeeze the fun out of the Christmas season.

 We made salt dough ornaments.

So easy.

So fun.

Bought adorable ornaments.

 A quick Christmas Eve nap.

She is so sweet.

Christmas day was great.

I laughed a lot.  It was good to eat German breakfast and peppermint treats.

 Katie picked up the whole stocking thing really well.

 Bella was a good girl so she got a bone.

 Apparently I have been a good girl 

because I got a gorgeous bouquet.

 Emily was really into Santa this year.

She was extremely concerned that we did not light a fire the night before

so Santa would be safe.

I asked her what she would like Santa to bring her.

"Anything he wants to bring me, I'll take."

This girl has a heart of gold.

Katie trying to open presents while everyone is distracted.

 Katie loved balancing a wreath on her head.

 

There is a new kitten in the family.

Welcome Duma.

Duma mean chettah in Swahili.

But you probably already knew that.

 

 The door bell rang.

Look who arrived.

 

All 5 feet!

 Don't mistake excitement for terror.

Emily ran.

Away.

Refused to go near it.

Screamed.

We all sat silently processing how Emily's terror would scar her.

5 minutes later she realized it wasn't real.

 So they put a leash and a necklace on.

 Combed the entire giraffe like she does at the stables.

 And gave it a good riding.

 It was a lot of work so they stopped to eat a gingerbread house.

 

Don't leave Nana and Poppa!

(Heidi and Laurie too).

And we ended the day dancing on the tables.

A very Merry Christmas indeed.

Biola University Christmas Tree Lighting

 Yea for Christmas,

candles,

and the annual Biola Christmas tree lighting.

 

 The Biola car.  Not the best picture but it was cool.

 A sister and friend.

 One of my favorite parts every year is the lighting of the candles.

A wave of warmth and light starts in a corner and slowly grows.

Magical.

Of course there was a moment a certain girl and toddler where changing places 

and a styrofoam cup caught on fire.

But it was put out before anyone noticed.

 Awesome music.

LOVE live Christmas music.

Of course, the huge tree that was lighted.

 The couple who pushed the button to light the tree were 90 year old newlyweds.

They dated at Biola.

He asked her to marry him but she had to go home to her parents

and didn't have the money to go back to see him.

They both married other people and had 45 year plus marriages.

Both widows, they met up again and are now Biola Betty and Bob newlyweds.

 

 The snow in the lights of the decorations, so pretty.

Lots of snow.  

The girls were over the top excited. 

Good job, Biola!

 Indoor fun is extra special with homemade bean bags.

Thanks for all the help.

You know who you are.

The fish is still alive!

Not that I was expecting anything other than that....

...just happy the little guy is still alive.

Mud.

 These girls have made huge mud puddles almost every day this week.

 I think it is adorable that they ask first.

 Testing the mud for something I assume.

Lots of worms.  Lots.

Like hold him for 2 hours type of lots.

Did you do this as a kid?

I'm fairly certain everyone is saying yes.

We are wishing you a very fun, 

headband-over-the-eyes silly day!

Baklava

 A lost photo from Sea World. 

Just 'cause.

I love baklava so when a real armenian mama offered to teach how to make it,

I signed up.

It is easy and delicioius.

Note to family: you will be having a lot of baklava this Christmas.

We are leaving on a jet plane...

don't know when we'll be back again.

 It worked for

Peter, Paul and Mary.

This is their plane.

You don't see the vacuum that doubles as a steering wheel 

and makes an authentic plane noise when turned on.

Quite funny.

And should you wonder what Katie is taking with her...

 

it is her portable type writer of course.

We have a lot of fun with this thing.

The girls can type with their toes!

On the boardwalk

This is from October 

but I added it because it makes me happy.

Is it June yet?

 The chilies are hot.

 Is this a stork or an egret? 

I adore watching them fly outside.

They show up best when the clouds are gray with rain.

They don't mind when we walk by them about 20 feet away.  

So fun to watch them walk around the stream.

Walking in the rain.

Splashing the puddles.

Excercising the dog.

Good day.

Happy Birthday!

 Katie made a wish and I think she wished for...

 a birthday party...

 blowing out candles...

 doughnuts...

 raspberries...

 tangerines from the tree...

 flowers from the garden...

 lots of fun...

 new shoes and a toy...

 a bird's nest from God...

and some good bike riding.

If my guess is right, 

she had a wonderful day.