Christmas at Grandma's 2019

Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa's is always so good. I'm still surprised every time by the sunshine and the perfect weather and citrus season but I never complain! The kids love being with their cousins SO MUCH and pretty much disappear into play until it's time to eat one meal or another. I love that Christmas at the grandparents' is the perfect mix of going out and about and keeping very busy having fun and down time to sit and talk and laugh. Always laugh.

I decided about three days before we left for Orange County that I wanted to make matching cousin PJs. I don't know why I figured that was a good thing to add into the preparations but I had fun and barely made my deadline. The kids were good sports and wore them happily. They were really cute, although better suited for Norway with the cosy and warm flannel. Next time maybe I'll re-do with a light cotton. Ha!

Grandparents gave the gift of a Disney day but crazily the children begged not to go but to play with their cousins with their Christmas toys so (most of) the adults--and Henry!--went instead. It was probably one of my favorite Disneyland trips ever. We ate the most amazing food and weren't hurried and got to shower Henry with all the attention when he wasn't asleep in the stroller. It was a great day. And it was Collin's and my anniversary (which number??) and it was interesting to think back on all the times we've been together since our dating days. I never would have thought that place would be such a part of our story. 

Our gift to grandma this year was fancy tea at the Langham hotel with just the girls. It was so yummy and elegant. 

Lake Tahoe with Cousins

The cousins go with their family to Tahoe every summer. This year they invited us to share their time there. It was so much fun! Eliza is still asking to go back and live there with the cousins. The lake was clear and beautiful. The resort had all the water toys to borrow at will and uncle Greg rented a boat to bring us around the whole lake on Sunday. We had pizza and ice cream and movies. It really was a perfect weekend with family.

Cousins Come for Spring Break

I had some big road trip plans for spring break (heading south, visiting some of my oldest, dearest friends, Grand Canyon) but they had to drop for various reasons. I was pretty bummed. Also, unbeknownst to all of us at this point, a baby was growing and my first week of morning--aka all day and night--sickness was about to arrive.

I was delighted when Aunt Jessica and Jeralyn decided to drive up to see us and spend some days out and about, making our spring break a stay-cation. Cousin time is always a good time.

I remember I was feeling pretty yucky these days, but I'm glad we have a lot of other really great times to remember in addition. And apparently I hid my nausea and exhaustion pretty well because when we announced the baby a few weeks later everyone was surprised. So how's that for good acting? :)

We spent one day in the city, admiring the bridge and eating treats. (I ate two bites before I felt very sick and have regretted not being able to enjoy more almond chocolate croissant ever since!)

We showed off our favorite beach, Pescadero, and some true Northern California weather. The sky was cloudy and the ocean grey and the air crisp and clear. I love it.

I was glad Collin could take some time off work and drive with us to Muir Woods. I'm not sure I could have managed driving the winding roads with how queasy I felt, being a passenger was bad enough. But walking through the ancient glen helped enormously. The kids got some wiggles out, the smell of the redwoods settled my stomach. It was beautiful for the soul.

We got frozen yogurt and then it was time to go home and relax. Or rather, play very hard and wildly until cousin sleep over time. You know, I look at these pictures and realise why maybe the kid-sized blow up mattresses haven't lasted as long as I thought they might. Ha!

On the last morning we drove part way with the cousins and before saying goodbye we went to the Monterey Aquarium. I have pictures somewhere but can't find them.

It was so wonderful to have family come visit us during Spring Break and make it 100 times more fun than it otherwise would have been!

Christmas 2017, take two

Christmas proper we spent in southern California, with Collin's family.  We were all there and it was such fun!  The Lambourne siblings (the original ones--Collin's siblings) are hilarious when they are together.  Christmas Eve was especially perfect.  We ate and laughed until our sides hurt, dressed everyone up for the nativity, sang along to Collin's guitar until late.  Christmas morning presents at Grandma's house was cosy and chaotic, just as it should be.

Grandma got a special gift from her children that knocked her socks off, it was unexpected and just what she wanted.

Then playing with toys--outside and in--all the rest of the day.

More great food, in great quantities.

Quiet movie time, hot chocolate, repeat.

A California Christmas is pretty different than what I grew up knowing.  Not every Christmas was snowy white in Utah (the year I got a new bike I was able to ride it on dry pavement Christmas day!) but it was cold and some years it was snowy white.  Palm trees and warm sunshine were fun for me to experience as we went about caroling to friends of the family.

Grandma did a marvelous job on the festive decorations inside.  I am always ready to snag a picture with Grandpa when permitted--especially when everyone is in Sunday best.

The cousins played fabulously together for hours and hours and hours.  We did have to remind them to quiet down from time to time, but they were so happy and busy it was hard to think of interrupting them.  Even for meals.

Funny story about the mailbox.  The kids were randomly snuggling while waiting for the adults to get going and I snapped a picture.  The next day it was decided the day had come to say goodbye to the mail box.  Uncle Garrett took some karate chops and kicks to it and it was a goner.  So RIP, beloved mailbox.

This family doesn't sit around much.  They are goers and doers of fun things.  Ice skating was deemed seasonal so we booked some time on the ice.  I had little faith the kids would make it the full two hours we had paid for, but after some tears and learning curve we had to finally drag them off the ice.  It was a success because aunts and an uncle were there--full credit given.

Dressed up for tea.  We'll try another tea place next time for our ladies afternoon outing, but the girls were so cute and happy.  I for one hope this will be a regular tradition!