Home for the Holidays

Nothing like coming home for the Holidays and getting to spend it with all the family we love! The more the merrier!

It all started on Sunday night. Lunch at the Greek Islands with the entire family! We had a very full and exciting week ahead of us. Monday-Wednesday we played with our cousins, Ella & James, had a sleep-over, went to the snow hills to go sledding with Uncle Jim, cried about pink boots, (long story), visited with friends and enjoyed each others company! Also we fit in a lunch date at the new train restaurant, Cho Cho Jonny's in Naperville and enjoyed time at the Bounce house with YaYa and PaPa too. Who could forget all the fun we had at Meme's and Pa's place since we stayed two doors down from them. Every morning was full of excitement. Austin loved running down the halls early in the morning. Wonder what the neighbors think??

Christmas morning we headed to Danville to do it all over again--Hanging out with Ganga and Papa and the newest members of the family, "Andy and Barney" (the dogs that stay in the barn to watch over the horses) Sleepover at Dominik and Claudia's house, playing out in the snow and even fit in time to take the kids to see the "Alvin and the Chipmunk's" Movie. So much to do.. so little time!

The Family.....
The kids all got to play with eachother, Hang out, color, eat and enjoy their gifts from the gift exchange between the cousins.

So fun having all the cousins and 2nd cousins together again.
As you can tell, fun was had by all!

Austin and Caitlin.

After a long day, Daddy and his boys just relaxed!
Of coarse, Kain doesn't relax much.....
We also got to spend time with our best friends.. Shiv, Saachi and Shaan. (not pictured)
They pick up where they all left off.
Austin was loving the snow, poor Kain just wanted to go out so bad, but not this year! (Austin outside and Kain on the inside window)
They went sledding
And probably had a snowball fight....
Before we knew it, Christmas Eve was here. We all got together at Nicole's house.
The littlest guys, Graeme and Kain.
How cute is this?
Dad and Kain
Nicole and Jim gave Eric and I matching North Face Fleeces. It was kinda a joke because this is about as warm of a coat we will need this year in California! :)
Graeme and Kain were so cute together. Graeme loves to chase his cousin around. They were all over the place!
Austin got so many fun toys, his favorite? the "Batman Cave".


Meme and Pa just soaking it all in.
On our way to Danville on Christmas Day. It was a beautiful snow. (not so fun to drive in, but we survived it!)
It was "So Cold". We were in 2 snow-storms while home. It was pretty and a lot of fun for all the kids to play in, but we felt totally unprepared for how cold it really was. It's funny how you forget this part so quickly!
Austin's new Bike.
Opening gifts at Ganga and PaPa's house.

Austin was pretty excited to open his "Star Wars" costume.


The whole family.
Kain was so excited. He got a "Rody". so cute.!

It was such a fun trip home! We all returned home safe on Tuesday afternoon and are happy to be sleeping in our own beds. Yes, the kids are finally sleeping again!!!!!! Big weather change. It's 72 degrees here. (not to rub it in) Merry Christmas to all .... and to all a good night!

MWAH from Kain

Here's Kain. He's doing so much everyday. Right here, he's playing with Austin's whistle. He's very interested in it when it comes out. I think he's hoping he can blow it and it will make noise like when Austin does it.
He even tries to give kisses.. it's so cute, you just have to watch and see for yourself!

Santa on Huntington Lane

Check out our house with all the lights-and our neighbors-then read the excitement below!

So we received a phone call tonight from our neighbor Janis letting us know that Santa was on his way down the street. She told me to "be aware, it's very loud and he stops outside our house". I've never heard of such a thing. Santa came in his sleigh to visit all the good little boys and girls on the street.

Every night until Christmas, Santa and his crew, AKA-the Redondo Beach Police, pick a neighborhood to visit where Santa comes in his sleigh to hand out candy and the kids are able to line up and sit on his lap.

I thought to myself, how could I let Austin sleep through this?? I did what any parent would do and I woke my child up. Yes, you read that right, I woke our Austin up. (It was almost 9pm!) but I would never forgive myself if he didn't get to share in the joy of what this is all about (and finally tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas). I'm so proud of Austin, although he was shaking in his pj's, he went up to Santa like a champ (as long as I stayed right there with him) He told Santa, well, he asked me to tell Santa what he wanted, "A Fire Truck" and to tell Santa that he's been a "good boy!".

I am posting two video's. Check out our house in the background-with all the lights on, along with our street. It's amazing. Can't believe it's almost Christmas.......

Here goes Austin. Bob, the neighbor in the background is cheering him on. Austin was SO Excited. And to think Kain slept through it all...... maybe next year?

Randoms of the boys

Just some randoms....

The boys, snuggled up on the couch. Watching Monsters, Inc.
Check out Austin's boots he wore to the mall yesterday... we were waiting on Dad who was getting fitted for his new glasses....Let's just say Austin received a lot of compliments on his outfit yesterday. Hey, he's getting ready for the big rain storm we are supposed to have this week.

Christmas Cookies

Today we decided to make our Christmas cookies, it was cool outside (57 degrees) cloudy and Kain was under the weather. Our neighbors behind us, Judy & Gerry put up their Christmas decorations so as we were making our cookies we opened up the blinds and Austin could watch them too. They put up a HUGE snow-globe and Santa on a motorcycle. (I'll take pics of the finished project later) They also put lights up along the roof to match the rest of ours.What's the fun of cookies if you can't eat the raw dough, right? Only Austin.....like mom, like son. Ha ha. YUM!I'm pretty sure he enjoyed it!!
Still trying the batter as I mix all the ingredients. Here we're making Vacuum Cleaner Cookies (Neiman-Marcus Squares).
Even though Kain is not feeling well, he still was excited to see what was going on in the kitchen. we also made christmas cookies that we decorated with frosting and sprinkles.
My boys.
Well, it's getting dark here now, so soon we are going to take the boys for a drive to see all the Christmas lights. I'll be sure to post of our lot here.. Boy, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, (minus the cold & snow!)