Christmas - A Month Late

So, I decided to finally blog about Christmas! Yea! I must admit that the holiday feels somewhat different here in Southern California. I got very used to the "White Christmas" I experienced for several years while in Utah, and I must admit that I loved it. I was having a hard time getting in the spirit here in CA while the weather was in the 70s. Anyway, I did finally get in the spirit the last two weeks or so, and was very excited for the music, lights, family, laughter, and of course birth of our Savior.

This year we headed up to Sacramento/Woodland to spend Christmas with my family. Everyone was there except for my sister Alisha and her husband Sai who live in Germany. We did get to see a lot of them on Skype though! Thank goodness for modern technology! Kenneth and I celebrated our own Christmas the Sunday before we headed out.

This was one of my favorite pictures of Danny. He got a "baby" from his Noyce grandparents, and as soon as he opened it he started snuggling with it. He is going to be a great big brother!

This has become a favorite with Danny. At first he couldn't figure out how to scoot around on it and would just push it everywhere. Now he is constantly on it.

Once we headed up to northern CA we stayed at my dad's house (Pa A) along with Michael & Kim. We had a fun time joking with my dad about his lack of tree (that happens every year) so on the 23rd he went out in search of a tree, and this is what he came home with:

You have to realize that a couple of Christmas' ago he got a tree that had no top...so we thought this year he decided to get a tree with no bottom...he did end up buying a fake tree to actually decorate though. Thank goodness!

Papa with Danny & Jonathan

On the 23rd we went with my brothers Michael & Nathan (and their families) to do some last minute stocking shopping and then headed over to the "Santa House." Unfortunately Santa was late for his appearance so we didn't get to see him, but we enjoyed the lights nonetheless.

We spent Christmas Eve with my siblings, Mom & Ron at Nathan's house. It was the first time Danny has been around all of his cousins (9 of them) and unfortunately one of the cousins kept beating him up! Danny probably got 3 bruises from this trip...in a matter of 3 hours!

Danny after being attacked by his cousin

A new afghan for Danny! Thanks mom!

Christmas day we spent with the siblings, Pa A and Jayne.

All the kids laying on the floor while "Lita" reads them a Christmas story

Us with my Grandma Ruth!! The cutest grandma you may ever find!

Me with Alisha & Sai via Skype

Well there you go! We had a wonderful (though short) time in Sacramento for the holidays. We are so blessed with great family members and were excited to be with them all and to reflect on the birth of our Savior. Merry Christmas! ;)