Christmas Eve

We had an awesome Christmas eve. We started with a brunch for all. It worked out great, people came in waves (not too many at one time and never a dull moment). I've been told that we have to this every year now, breakfast and Christmas dinner served all day...who could resist! We ended at 330pm, made a dash to get ready for church. We had to be there by 4pm, the kids were in the play for the re-enactment of the birth of Jesus during mass. Proudest mama ever. I was in tears, all the kids did so well and sang with big voices. The kids rehearsed the last 4 Saturdays for 3 hrs each time. #dedication
Gavin had the opening line and Kiss Austen was the littlest angel with the biggest voice. Pictures are from rehearsals.
That night my brother, Adam, made boiling crab (drool) and Boom and uncle Robert put the kids swing set together from grandma Kelli.

What did Santa bring?!

Way too much!
The kids got the usual clothes, socks, and underwear. Aunts and uncles gave Gavin video games (way too many). Austen every Barbie doll under the sun, along with the Barbie dream house that she adores. Daddy and uncle Robert put together the swing set grandma got the kids on Christmas eve. Santa also brought nabi tablets (really cool tablets). Love enjoy playing with them ;-) Truly blessed!

Merry Christmas

Check out Katie's awesome blog. She's a photographer, wife, mommy, and everything else! She did a photo shoot for us on Monday and we had a great time just walking/playing at the University of Redlands. She put some of the photos up on her blog. Stay tuned for pictures to arrive at your homes (definitely after Christmas)

First Teeth

Gavin won't be asking for his two front teeth for Christmas this year. The bottom two adult teeth piped out behind the baby teeth. He had to go to the dentist to get them removed, he doesn't have a true gap. Gavin did awesome at dentist and got to be silly due to the gas (highly recommend).
Inflation hadn't hit the tooth fairy in our home, $1 per tooth, but he did get a special tooth from mom and dad afterwards ;-)
*His teeth were taken out on Nov. 15. Didn't notice this never posted

Sugar coma

I've been on the hunt for a dining table. The glass one needs to go (not practical). Tables with chairs are expensive. Boom went to an estate sale and found an awesome table with 6 chairs and a leaf. The table is solid wood but doesn't suit my taste completely. This weekend I began its transformation!

Originally I planned to paint everything, but I fell in love with colors from spray paint. I said why not give it a go (cheaper, fast, and less messy... sort of). I decided to grab white as well for the table. I need to post the up close pictures (on a separate camera). I wanted the grain showing through for the pieces to have a distressed look (which I planned to do with sandpaper). Well lucky me! Using spray paint saved me from having to do that step. It stuck to the wood in all the right parts (oh and I didn't even sand the table beforehand). Now all the painting is done, I had to put the table back in the house to see how it looked. This weekend I'll be sealing the paint with a spray version of sealant :-) and re-upholstering the cushions. I grabbed white curtain liner from Joann's. Its $6.99/yd [score], its tough material, and not super absorbent. I did a test coffee and no stain left behind... perfect!

Future Scientist?

Gav came to lab with me today and was put to work :-)

wishes his school had pizza everyday

Where did the rest of the year go???

Time flies! Here's what has been going on

Austen's 1st school project

Homemade French Onion soup

Camping by the firplace

Posing with the store display

Gav and I at breakfast

Finding our Christmas tree

We found one!

PJ day at school

sushi

Decorating

Jonny's 30th Geriatric Party

Can't wait to see how close we match this in 50yrs :)