Happy Anniversary

Today is our 5th wedding anniversary. Wow the time has flown by - it really does feel like we were just planning our wedding and life together. What a magical day that truly was.

Now 5 years later: a new dog, two kids, two houses, new careers, lost 3 grandparents, lost our eldest dog, 2 parents have retired, 3 family weddings, 2 new nephews, 4 new cousins...

Christmas

After the relaxing morning of delicious pastries, great presents, and family time - we all took naps!!! I think thats a tradition in itself!

My parents and Angela headed over to Grannys for dinner while Steve, I and the kids went to Grams and Pops (Steve's parents) for Christmas dinner. Stephanie, Josh and the kids were there too, and a family friend Al. We had a fabulous dinner (like always) which we always look forward to. The kids enjoyed opening gifts, running around and playing.

All in all we had a fantastic Christmas - celebrating will everyone!

On a side note: Thank you to our parents who helped Steve and I over the past few months with the move and the surgery - we could not have sailed through this as easy without you guys!

Christmas morning

Christmas morning we spent at our house with my parents and sister. We had delicious muffins and pastries from our favorite place Denica's, coffee, and eggs. We had a relaxing morning opening gifts, and enjoying each other. Santa brought Mason a chair, and a Thomas Train Track, and Alyssa a jumper.

Angela opened a gift from Alyssa: it was a picture of Alyssa and the words "My Goddaughter" It was our way of asking Angela to be Alyssa's Godmother.

Xmas Eve

This year we went to my Granny's for Xmas eve. It was so nice having my parents and Steve's parents with us celebrating with the children. Every year Santa stops by her house to deliver gifts to the children. This was a tradition when we were younger - so it's fun seeing my kids enjoying it too. Except the Santa that stopped by this year was a bit too loud and possible had a few before stopping by Granny's house! Needless to say Mason was terrified of him and was shaking when it was his turn to sit on his lap, and wouldn't let go of his Pops. Maybe next year Santa won't scare the children.

But thanks Santa, Mason really liked the book you gave him (Thomas The Train)

Later that night after the friends and neighbors went home, it was time to change into Christmas PJ's, relax a bit, play a game, and do a gift exchange. Last year we started a new tradition - each person says 2 predictions for the next year (mind you there is like 30 of us) - so we read the predictions from last year and if you were right Granny gave you $$$. It was funny hearing some of the predictions like:

Uncle Dennis will lose 20lbs - wrong

Adrienne will be pregnant - that was right last year

Jacob will be engaged - wrong

The Damrons will not be at Christmas - Haha we were there

and the new predictions:

Uncle Dennis will gain 20lbs - poor U. Dennis

Jacob will be engaged - poor Jacob

Steven will be a Senior in college - dont hold your breath

My parents will move here...

Hope I will win $ next year - my predictions were Garrett and Amy are having a boy, and Angela will be in Kansas next year for school...

There are 14 grandkids, and 8 great grandkids: For Xmas we had a lap quilt for Granny made. Each family member gave us a shirt that was theirs - (that's 40 shirts) we cut them out, had their names ironed on, and had it quilted. We even got a robe that was her's and a shirt of Papa's that we included in the quilt. It was an amazing project that turned out great! It was fun looking at the different shirts, and guessing who's they belonged to. For example in the pic you can see Angela's UC Davis Tee, and the San Lorenzo 25 jersey was my Uncles in high school - the quilt is 2 sided.

Xmas with the Damron's

My brother and his family switch each year between our family and Amy's. This year was their Xmas in Santa Barbara - so before they headed down, we celebrated together. I made lasaagna and had my parents, sister, and Garrett and his family over to celebrate together.

They got Mason an easle (sp)

It was great being able to spend time together before the holidays - I will sure miss them when they move to Santa Barbara in August. I actually can't even talk about it or I may start crying! Okay Im done...I feel the tears coming...