Merry Christmas!! Happy New Year!!

O.k., here is my Christmas/New Year's post. We had a fun, quiet holiday. Just what we all needed. Instead of dragging the kids from family to family, we stayed home. Although we had planned to head over to Disneyland, we were so glad that we chose to stay home instead. It was nuts over there!! So, instead the kids stayed home, and enjoyed all their new outside toys in the backyard.

The little girls made out like bandits this year..Santa brought them a new wagon. It's a Radio Flyer ATW...it's pretty awesome! They also got Princess Cozy Coupes from Grandma and Grandpa Andes...and those were the hit of Christmas let me tell you!


Caleb got a new bike from Grandma and Grandpa Andes, and a Disney gift card for $25 from Santa, and a helmet from his siblings. He was so excited for a new bike, it's a bit big for him but he loves to try and ride it. It's just going to take him some time!! He also asks daily if we can go to Dland so he can buy some new toys!! Silly guy! He doesn't know it, but the plan is to take him for his birthday on Jan. 8th!!

Meghan got a helmet for her bike, But her fave gift was her new Leapster Didj. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Andes!! You guys made her day! She has been begging to play, we finally got batteries only to find out that you have to set it up on the computer first! So, now Daddy is on that! Poor girl!! But she is handling it well, thinking about what she wants to get with Her Dland gift card from Santa...that and trying to pry her stroller away from the little girls.

Stephen, oh Stephen...he only REALLY asked for 1 thing...a Rip Stick. Well, again thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Andes for that! You both just made his holiday!! And thanks for the helmet as well....now if we could only get him to wear it All The Time!! I think he was more excited about the rip stick than he was about his gift card from Santa...he honestly didn't think he was ever going to get one!!

All in all, it was a great day. I know that Sam and I feel so blessed that our kids really don't ask for much...they are kids and get so excited about Christmas, but there were no insanely long lists this year, and as always they were just thrilled with the gifts that they received. Even Sam was happy with his gifts, we had already exchanged gifts him and I..He got a new blackberry..The Storm 2. And I got a new head unit for my truck with GPS, and a Blue tooth. But we were both shocked and overjoyed with the gifts from Grandma and Grandpa Andes. Thanks you two for the Awesome griddle!! The kids love that I make them pancakes, and don't have to wait forever while I make them 1 at a time!! And Sam loves his new printer, he has been dying for a wireless printer for months...it was just not super high on our list of necessities. So, thanks for that for him. We both appreciate all that you guys do, and Dad all the kids missed you. Molly is holding out for a visit soon!! She asks constantly when you are coming back!! So, we hope that you feel the love she sends all the way in Utah!!

And to top it all off Grandpa and Grandma Meredith brought over more toys for the backyard. The kids didn't even care that it was a group/family gift. They were just thrilled with all the new toys to play outside with!! Soccer goals for the back grass, a new tether ball, bowling, golf, and a basketball hoop!! So all in all, we are set for the backyard!! The kids spend all their free time back there, playing ball, riding bikes or scooters, driving their cars, and riding their rip sticks.

New Years...it was quiet as well. We just stayed home and watched movies with the kids. Worked on Stephen's Yorba Linda photo project...and just vegged. It was a great way to start the new year....just us. I can't speak for Sam, but I know for me...I am looking forward to a quiet 2010. Just OUR family, we sort of started the tradition in the last part of 2009, But I am looking forward to continuing it on '10! Just us, for Easter, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Christmas...it's gonna be nice! We are looking forward to a bright new year, with all sorts of fun things headed out way!!