Scenes of Christmas

We had a relaxing Christmas. No traveling, which meant no packing, no laundry, and no grouchy kids (or parents.) Through the month we talked a lot about the reason for the season and the Christmas story. What? It's no all about presents and Santa? I had bought the kids their own Nativity Set (thank you Fisher Price) so we could read the story together and act it out with the figures. They'll get it more as they get older, but at least it's a start.

Christmas Eve we suited up and headed to a friend's for a Taste of Italy feast. I forgot to take pics except for Braden with Logan the dog, but let's say it was tasty and the kids ran like a pack of wolves from one room to another.

Santa arrived and the biggest hit for all three kids was Sarah's play kitchen.

What's a Christmas in the Gray house without some Android stuff? 

The kids got hats.

And Daddy got some pictures for the wall in his office.

The Aftermath

Another favorite gift from Nana and Grandpa.

Christmas Day we made a quick trip to Palo Alto to see my mom.

And then visited with the other grandparents and great grands online at home.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

What's in Your Attic?

Well, we don't really have an attic since we live in a post WWII California subdivision home, but some previous owner put a loft like storage space below the roof of our garage. This year we finally got around to storing some of our stuff up there. While I was getting down Christmas decorations I had a look a around of some of the junk treasures left by previous owners. Making more room for our own boxes I took down a few of the items. I know you are dying to see what I found.

One plastic Grecian lady. I know you really want this in YOUR front yard.

Lovely curtains circa 1970's. LOVE(not!) the orange and brown(what were they thinking back then?). No rips, tears, or moth holes. Great for that retro kitchen redo you were planning on.

A size 40 regular U.S Army jacket and clip on tie. I haven't been able to determine the time frame for this style. No name attached, but the shoulder insignia indicates Signal Corps and the stripes are that of a Sergeant First Class.

An army parachute manufactured in September of 1967. The Switlik Parachute company has been in business since the 1920's. No rips or tears. This thing is huge. The house was built in 1964 so possibly it belongs to someone in the first owner's family. 

We could use it to make a tent in the front yard. What do think about a circus theme for the twins next birthday?

There are more boxes way in the back that I'm dying to check out. I need better light and older clothes, but it has been interesting to see the remnants of lives once lived by people in the same space you now occupy. I could find a body or something that Antiques Roadshow would value in the millions so we ca retire.

And there's a coffee table up there that is just asking to refurbished like one I found on Pinterest. Shhh, don't let Louis know. He's trying to squash my crafting/sewing addiction hobby.

Holiday Happenings

I'm trying to make this crazy time of year simple as possible. Louis and I split up duties. I did most of the kids gifts, and we are each in charge of gifts for our own families. Decorations are up high out of reach and not too elaborate in case any little hands get a hold of things. 

Here's our tree decorated. I didn't even use half the ornaments I have to cut down on potential damage.

And here's our tree once I put the toddler fence around it. I like to think of it as the "maintaining my sanity" fence.

December 3rd we attended the Google+ holiday party. It was a roaring '20's theme and held at the Mark Hopkins in San Francisco. The food was amazing, great swing band and then DJ and the dessert table divine. Google does classy well.

Lobby of the Mark Hopkins.

On the way out we went across the street to the Fairmont to check out their holiday decorations. I can't wait until the kids are a little older and then I'll bring them up to the City to see all the Christmas displays just like my mom used to do with me.

A few days later we took the kids to the Vasona County Park Festival of Lights. You drive through and see all the light displays. We did it last year, but this year the kids really loved it. Sarah kept jumping up and down yelling," I love it mommy, I love it!" You crawl through so everyone lets the kids out of their seats and hang out the windows or sun roofs. Matthew liked the dinosaur display the best.

It's been great watching the kids get excited about Christmas. They love all the activities we have been doing.

This Monday we went to a friend's place to decorate gingerbread houses. Matthew is so proud of his house. He shows it to everyone that comes over and explains each of the candies and their colors.

This is the first year I took the kids to visit Santa. I never wanted to take two (now 3) kids down to the mall and pay to have them cry. I risked it this year now that the twins are older. The key is to go early in the season and during a week day. No crowds, no stress, and no crying.

Here's a picture of the picture. Braden looks "surprised" but they are all looking at the camera.

'Tis the Season

...for the 'ole family photo. You know, the one where we try to capture an image where we try look like a perfectly normal, well behaved family. Then there's the reality. When you see our Xmas card that will seem the case because Meghan always does an amazing job. How she captures so many great shots when it seems all our kids did was goof off I'll never know. She left in some of our "bloopers" because she knew they would make us laugh.

So here are some of our out takes. I'll post our "official" family photos later.

"Something's in my eye Mommy."

Matthew: "I need to scratch."

Sarah: "Nooooo. I don't want to hold Braden's hand."

Braden: "Help me Daddy."

Matthew: "I'm not happy."

Sarah:"na na na na na."

Braden: "Why am I always in the middle of these two crazies?"

"Na, we don't need to stand still and smile."

Matthew: "Hmmm, maybe this isn't so bad. I was promised candy afterward."

"Want to see my belly button?"

"I know this is what you meant by a 'sweet smile'."

"Yes, I am pretty darn cute, thank you very much."

"I'm not sure I like these new shoes Mom put on me."

"Oh brother."

"And then I saw this huge dragon..."

"I'm soooo done with this."

The twins ran off and then it was easy to get a shot with the rest of us looking at the camera and smiling.