The week before...and Christmas

Sydney as Mary during Primary last Sunday

It's been a great week leading up to Christmas---well, besides being sick.  Last Friday we stopped off at my sisters to celebrate my nieces 2nd birthday.  She's a cutie and I'm sure she loved all the attention and all the kids swarming her as she opened her presents.

 That night we spent the night at my moms.  Saturday I got up early and met some friends from high school for breakfast.  Out of the six of us good friends, five of us were able to make it.  Some of us haven't seen each other in 10 years.  Yikes, our 20th reunion is next summer!  

That afternoon we drove down to Jeff's aunt and uncles house in Lemon Grove to celebrate an early Christmas with them.  It was great to see cousins and aunts and uncles and Jeff's parents and his grandpa.  Too quick of a visit but we needed to drive home that night.  

someone thinks she's old enough to drive....

 On the way out of San Diego we stopped at the temple and walked around to look at the lights.  

 Very beautiful!  Wished we lived closer.  

 All month our wise men have been on a journey looking for baby Jesus and today, Christmas, they finally found them.  It was a bit rough a few days when they were stuck in the Barbie VW bug because someone forgot to help them along (sick, remember)  but, they made it.  phew

 Kids weren't allowed to get us up till 7am.  

Sydney was very happy Santa got her the Anna doll she was hoping for.  

Bongos!!  Pretty cool

 It was a great morning.  Kids were happy, tummies were full and we had a relaxing day--except Jeff had to work. oh, funny story... Last night when kids were opening their one gift (pj's of course) Sydney pulled out a little dress that matched her jammies for her baby doll.  But, her two older siblings thought we were making an announcement..... hahaha  nope.  But, their faces---geesh

 All of a sudden in the afternoon I started hearing men voices and came downstairs to find my mom Skypeing with my cousin who is on a mission in Indiana and my uncle who is Utah.  So cool we have the abilities to do this!  We were on for quite awhile, but not long enough to chat with my other cousin (his brother) who is in Mexico on his mission.  

This will have to do for our Christmas card since it didn't happen this year.  

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

It was a great month, a great Christmas (which secretly I'm glad it's over) but we remember why we celebrate Christmas.