A very Family Christmas

It was a Wonderful Christmas~~

Everyone was HOME this year!!
The Best Present Ever!!

Here is our holiday in photos:

Cookies, Cookies, Cookies~~
Sprinkles, Sprinkles, Sprinkles!!

You can never have too many sprinkles....

The girls were so excited that Auntie Morgan
was home!!
(we were also excited that Jacob and Morgan
finally arrived home!)

Christmas Caroling with goodies...

"we wish you a Merry Christmas...."
the only song in our repertoire!

Christmas Eve Day--
Steven and Meredith are HOME!!

Family walk around the lakes,
so we can continue to EAT
without guilt!!

Cattails..... are so much fun. . .

especially when you smack them on the
ground and watch the "fluff" fly!!

Guys on thin ice....
do not try this at home!

the three stooges..
no need to say more,
just watch!



I cooked all day-- and then forgot to take photos of the
magnificent table and food...
believe me--it was all fabulous!!

After dinner...
the traditional family Nativity Pageant...
angels watching over baby Jesus,

Mary and Joseph...


lambs and camel (Jacob's the hump)

animal and wise man....

angel taking such good care of the baby....

the entire cast...
(yes, in-laws and grandparents--
like I said--family, family, family!
LOVE it!)

and now our true characters...

Our family together,
together our family....

and that's not all--
oh, no we had to watch Claymation Christmas

and then. . .

the elves brought pajamas!!

then,
everyone to bed....

but what is this?
my camera caught Santa,
setting up gifts and eating cookies--
like I said, it was an amazing, magical Christmas!!

Morning of December 25th at 6:30 am.....

Christmas JOY!!!
(and the red wagon is MINE!)

wrapped with LOVE!!

the BEST boy toys...

Steven and Jacob intently learning how to fly
the helicopters....
(into great grandma, the tree, each other...etc.)

Michael's is up there somewhere!


see the joy a toy can bring.....

family board games,

and more games.....

and catching the boys at their favorite game!!

but wait --our Christmas holiday isn't really over--
oh no,
there is more--
SNOW, SNOW, SNOW
(a new blog to follow...)

Graduation and Thanksgiving and another Birthday...

In November,
we spent a whirlwind weekend in San Francisco
for Morgan's graduation~~
wow, the things we were able to fit into those
few days...
take a look:

After picking us up at the airport at 7:00pm
we were able to make it to Jacob's
dental school team's
city soccer game

Jacob in action--yes, they won!

no, it really wasn't played in a prison yard--
just a fenced-in field down on the Wharf!!

The next morning, while Jacob was studying
and Morgan was working,
Ron and I wandered around Union Square--
and they were decorating for Christmas!!

Later during the weekend,
we even looked at the San Francisco
real estate market~~
still sky-high
but gorgeous Victorian townhouses!

nice dad and daughter time--

waiting for us at our hotel~~
styling daughter, love her!!

We ate some AMAZING food--
here's a great Peruvian restaurant
right up the street from where they live.

We explored the beautiful coastline~~

the weather was beautiful--
November-amazing!!

taking a rest from hiking the coastline~~

another great cafe--
this one was Cuban food~~
so good--
needed to increase my Zumba classes
when we returned home!!

Graduation night--
going to the Aveda Salon

Morgan's graduation class--

Morgan and Diploma--
now just have to take the boards and find a job!!

Proud parents and husband!!

Jacob and Morgan--
cute couple!

Morgan and stylish friends~~
don't you love Morgan's dress--
very vintage from the 60's
came from
Grandma Lola's "costume box"!!

Morgan and one of her instructors

Next day--again amazing weather--
so of course the guys had to golf--
Morgan and I drove the carts
and waited to go shopping until afterwards!!
love my daughter!!

Here's the cute couple again~~

Ron and Jacob--
the views on this course were spectacular!!

The course was built on a cemetery
and also had museums located along the paths--
so of course we had to pose for photos....
here's Morgan,

Last swing. . .

as if they could actually see their shots!!

We then came home for THANKSGIVING!!

Here is Riley waiting patiently...

Emma with all her friends....
(ok, I know I got out the
Christmas decorations a little early!)

It was the Scott's year to have Michael and Jessica's
for Thanksgiving,
but they were so gracious and invited us
to share their feast with them--
here is Emma--all ready to EAT!!

Such a fabulous dinner--
all family favorites--
And the pies--
I think they made over a dozen--
all of them GREAT--
we had to take at least a small slice of most!!

Then we had to celebrate Jessica's birthday--

Doesn't she look amazing--
especially when you realize that she is pregnant,
has a sinus infection and we later found out--swine flu!!
What a "wonder" woman!!

mom and daughters waiting to unwrap the gifts
and another chance at a family photo--

Michael does a great job taking care of his girls--
even has learned to tie their bows!!

emma had some grandpa time....

reading and....

playing with the vintage strawberry shortcake collection

Next day--time for more family photos--
Riley all grown-up looking --
just waiting for her close-up!!

The wonderful Scott family--
who "share" so nicely!!

After Ron took their family photos--
we sneaked in for one of our own!!

Now, CHRISTMAS....
can't wait--
they all come HOME this year!!
what a celebration!!