3-in-1 Post - MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I'm going to take this time to summarize the pre-during-post Christmas events here in California. With 2 toddlers and 3 nephews, there was no lacking in excitement.

Pre-Christmas:

Like I said previously, the stockings were hung and presents around the tree. Here's the evidence:

Grammy and Papa Floyd were in town

So was Papa Duck and Grand Jan

Even Chase and Xena were feeling extra "snuggly". (yes......that's 86 lbs of pure love curled up in a tiny ball - Chase thinks he's a lap dog)

We even had a surprise visit from far away family (Aunt Kathy and Uncle Ed - my mom's cousin and husband).

Matt, Kell and Kait entertained us with tunes on the piano.

Kellyn was even an angel in the Church Christmas Program. But due to poor lighting and a slight "wardrobe malfunction" - we didn't get any good pictures.

Christmas Eve/Day:

Finally........the big day was upon us.

Christmas Eve we all decended upon Chris, Lisa & Co for haystacks and presents. All the kids had so much fun just being together - then add presents to the mix.......it was crazy excitement!

The highlight of the girls night was their matching sleeping bags. Kellyn insisted on her and Kait crawling in and going to bed right at that moment. It was so funny to see those 2 little toe heads all curled up in their sleeping bags pretending to "sleep" while everyone around them continued on with Christmas.

Kell and Kait even shared a rare moment with Uncle Chris - Kait looks like she's pledging allegience!

The next morning, bright and early, the girls woke up ready to tear into the presents under THEIR tree! A short time later, it was time to play!!!

Santa treated the girls to a dollhouse and they've had a blast filling it up with all their new toys. Doesn't matter if it fits or not.

Even Chase and X got in on the action.

After the girls were down for their naps - we adults took part in a friendly (although VERY competitive) match of ROOK. - p.s. My dad lost in a BIG way!

Later on - the entire famiy got together for Christmas dinner at our house.

Post Christmas:

With our bellies WAY TOO full and the weather full of sunshine - we headed to the local zoo/sanctuary the day after Christmas.

The girls absolutely LOVE the zoo and decided the Tiger was their favorite animal this trip. He was quite cool.......lounging on his back with all 4 feet spread open wide in the sunshine. Total relaxation. Oh to be a cat!

The bear exhibit is always a big hit.

But NOTHING beats the choo choo train ride. Kellyn even brought her own train whistle she got in her stocking. She was quite the competition for that little train.

And talk about lounging.......later on that evening after the girls were in bed, Jim and I were once again "schooling" my dad and Jan in a friendly (yet VERY competitive) game of ROOK when Chase decided to just make himself at home on the bean bag. I swear that dog!

Today I thought it would be cool to take the girls and Papa Duck and Grand Jan to the Foresthill bridge (tallest in California). Jan decided to wait in the car since it was quite cold. On the walk over the bridge - I noticed my Dad hugging the inside part of the walkway. It dawned on me that perhaps he's not that fond of heights. So I thought - no better time to ask. Sure enough.....boy is scared of heights. OOOPS!

His pale white face went un-noticed in this pictures. I was concerned perhaps he would need a diaper change when we got back to the car!!! :-)