Chillin

The week after Christmas we were tired from vacation, the weather was cold, and the flu was going around, so we decided to stay home and away from the germs and cold.

The kids did lots of chores


They rode bikes and scooters up and down the hallway


Barbies were popular and we did a bunch of science experiments.


We watched movies and Fuller House and played games and had a relaxing week off! 

Freedom!

Kate got a belated Christmas present...

She got her cast off! She was a little scared when they cut it off, but was thrilled to have her arm back. It hasn’t bothered her at all and there’s been no pain since it came off. She has a brace to wear when she’s playing, more as a reminder to be careful. We made it through and are so happy to have two working arms! 

Christmas

Christmas morning came and everyone was super excited. Santa came!! He brought a Barbie Dream House, a telescope and microscope, and all kinds of Power Rangers fun.


Plus all kinds of treats and treasures in our stockings!


We spent the day riding bikes and scooters, driving remote control cars, and playing with our toys.


We also ate a yummy Christmas breakfast and dinner!


There was also lots of star gazing that night with the awesome new telescope.

 Poor Kate wasn’t feeling her best. We found her like this mid-afternoon

But all in all, it was a very Merry Christmas! 

Christmas Eve

We got home from our trip during the afternoon of Christmas Eve, just in time to:

Make and decorate Ninja Bread Cookies

Make and eat our traditional Christmas Eve gumbo, read our Christmas stories, and open our Christmas pajamas. Everybody looked amazing.




Kate rocked her new robe.




We put out cookies for Santa and food for the reindeer.


And then the children nestled all snug in their beds, with visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads. 

On the Road Again

We were sad to say goodbye, but needed to head back home.

We made the trip in three days, stopping in Tucson and San Antonio. Some people couldn’t keep their shirts on for the drive. Everybody had colds and was feeling stuffy. 

We were just ready to be home! But we survived the drive and made it back on Christmas Eve!

Park Hopping

We spent our last day in California visiting all the parks. First we went to Marina Park on the beach.

We had lunch and played on the ship and toys.



The sun was shining and the wind was blowing.


The kids likes playing pirates.


To get out of the wind, we headed back to Ojai. We stopped at Libbey Park first (somehow I have no pictures of that) and then went to Soule Park.


Soule Park is Home is the famous rocket ship.


Only the bravest astronauts can make it to the top!


We love our Ojai Parks!!!

Beach Hair, Don’t Care

We also made a stop at the beach to have lunch and enjoy the sights. Who doesn’t love some In N Out on the beach?

The kids built rock sculptures.


And ran around in the sand.


It was cool and windy, but no one seemed to mind.




We also took a walk on the pier. In the background is the boardwalk where Pop Pop proposed to Nana many moons ago






Everybody was still pretty tired from Disney, so add in the wind and cold, and they wore our fast. Plus poor Kate was not feeling well! But we enjoyed the beauty of the ocean. 

I Love To See The Temple

We were exhausted after a day at Disneyland! Fortunately we stayed in a hotel near the park and everyone slept in that next morning. We slowly made our way back to Ojai. We stopped at the Los Angeles Temple on our way to show the kids where we were married.

We tried to get a family selfie, but couldn’t fit everyone and the Temple. 




The visitor’s center was beautifully decorated for Christmas.


We loved this tree decorated in pictures of the Savior.




There were also fun interactive exhibits for the kids to explore. They loved these drawing pads in the table.


It was fun to have our family back where our family began! 

Best Day Ever

We made so many fun memories at Disneyland and the kids had the best day ever!


We rode lots of rides


And saw lots of sights.


Jack even survived Pirates of the Caribbean, despite screaming bloody murder mid-ride.


Oh the wonder of Disney with kids!

It was a day we will never forget!