Ice, Ice, Baby!

Being the Californians that we are, Christmas traditionally arrives with crisp weather against a backdrop of sunshine and blue skies.  We took heart though when we heard the temperature was going to drop overnight to below 30 degrees and that there may even be...snow?

Sure enough, the next morning was positively...

Magical!

 

The night prior Samuel wrote a note to the kids leaving instructions for them to look outside the back door for a surprise.  What they found was a small bowl filled with water-now frozen ice-and four quarters!

 

After some enthusiastic stabbing with forks...

 

The coins were released!

 

And the ice made for some crunchy-though extremely unsanitary-snacking!

Owen was oblivious to the ice-skapades (is that a pun?  Or even a word?), and busied himself with trying to put on stockings for socks!

It was quite the challenge, but all in all a success!

Happy Snow Day!

Merry Christmas!

 Yes, Iris isn't smiling and Gabriel is crying...

but we love you and want to wish you a...

 Merry Christmas!

Cocoa Meringues, Dark Chocolate-dipped Orange Biscotti, & Fudgy Brownies...

Every year we hold an annual cookie exchange with Samuel's side of the family.  It's very traditional, and all the classic cookies and treats are covered.  You can always count on an excellent Butter Nut Ball, a moist Peanut Butter cookie, and some amazing Toffee and Peanut Brittle.

Yum! 

Last year, we instituted the tradition with my side of the family and I love it because it's more of a wild-card affair, with everyone taking the opportunity to try new recipes.  There's tons of sampling, and because we hold it at 11:00 AM, it's basically lunch for the day!

Do you hear my kids complaining?

  

Grandma Rose & Gabriel

 

 Great-grandma Lopez surrounded by her great-grandbabies:

Clockwise from top left: Iris, Ava, Taylor, Gabriel (love that smile!), Isabella, Jacob, Lola, & Owen

What a great opportunity for our family to come together in a warm and toasty kitchen to laugh, to remember, and to love!

When was the last time you ate a cookie AND shared a hug?

Try it!

It makes all the difference!

Cookies or Santa? Santa or Cookies?

 Our girls school held it's second annual Winter Sing and I have nothing but high praises for the principal and staff!  Those kids belted out some fabulous Christmas songs and all in under 30 minutes! 

Woo hoo!

 Enjoying the view from the cheap seats

(i.e. standing and far, far away!).

 

 Isabella

 

 Ava

 

 Refreshment time!

 

 We would have been out the door in under an hour (a record as far as school functions go), but blast it all this year Santa came to visit!  I was a mean, mean momma and told the kids you either stand in the cookie line or the Santa line-but not both! 

Isabella chose Santa while the others positively gorged themselves on cookies!

 

Alright I caved!

We did hide one cookie and cup of hot chocolate from Owen so Bella could enjoy them too!  Secretly I'm thrilled she chose Santa over treats.

At eight years old she still believes...

and don't we all?

It begins...Achievement Days!

Look at the smile on this girl! 

She is loving that her first Achievement Days is only moments away.

 

 It was something to watch my baby girl kiss me good-bye to attend her first meeting.  I know it won't be long before Samuel and I will be juggling who's where and when, so this really is the beginning of...well, not the "end", but the beginning of the "beginning"!  What can I say?  It's late and I'm feeling nostalgic!

After the meeting, she was bubbling with excitement from all the fun she had.  They made chocolate dipped pretzels and a craft, and even had a white elephant gift exchange too.  Her sisters were wild with envy and can't wait to turn eight as well!

We love you Isabella!  And we are so excited to see you grow in the gospel!

The Elmer Family Dinner sans Kids

Every year my mother-in-law hosts an adult-only dinner with all of her children and their spouses.  It's something we look forward to every year and is a special time to relax over pizza, See's Candy, and games.

Here's my sister-in-law Elizabeth acting out...what?

 

My brother-in-laws, Houston, Nathan, and Joe and my sister-in-law Leah trying to figure it out too!

 

My sister-in-law Rachel, her husband Bill, and Samuel's mom and dad laughing it up!

 

Samuel's turn.

Check out the intense concentration...

I am so grateful for my in-laws.  In "The Family: A Proclamation to the World", it states that: "Extended family may lend support when needed."  What a blessing it is to know that we have so much love and support.

Who did NOT want to see Santa?

The answer is below.

Our Ward Christmas Party is a family affair that is extremely low-key which I absolutely LOVE!  We have breakfast in our jammies-how great is that?

 

 I love Gabriel's reindeer thermals!

 

 Iris NOT camera-happy!

 

She can't resist her dad though!

 

 All the primary children sang Christmas carols. 

 

 A visit from the fourth wise man reminding us of the true meaning of Christmas.

 

 

 The big guy!

 

 Isabella getting awfully big for climbing up on the knee!

 

You've gotta love this shot.  If you guessed Owen-you're RIGHT!  Your prize is a crying 2-year old!  He'll be delivered in minutes!

Just kidding.

We LOVE our Owen-boy!

 

Gabriel...so easy going!

I'm missing a photo of Ava who also told Santa her wish list.  All in all, that makes four out of five kids that made it.  Not bad!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Traditions: The Oakland Temple

If you have never visited the Oakland Temple at Christmas you should drop everything and go NOW!

 

 We love the Oakland Temple-it's where our family was established!-and when the Christmas lights start to light up the neighborhood we know it's time to head back to where it all began for a spectacular light display.

 

 In addition to seeing the beautiful lights and displays, there are fantastic programs running continuously.

 

Like Samuel's beasty chest hair?  Just kidding, it's the faux fur from my hood. 

Or is it?

 

The kids couldn't resist touching the icy water!

 

 Owen all decked out in his froggy beanie.

 

 All smiles...

 

 Bundled up!

 

 Gorgeous poppies thriving in the cold!

 

 So California!

 

 I LOVE this temple!  It's absolutely stunning!

 

 Walking the rooftop gardens and checking out the beautiful city views.

 

 Wow!

 

 Seven is heaven...yup!  Cheesy!

Me and my babies in the warm Visitor Center...Owen wandered away.

How can you see Christs arms open to you and NOT want to come unto him?

 

 

 Temples are amazing places, and there is a spirit there that is unlike any other.  What a blessing it is to have the Sacramento Temple so near, and to be able to take our families at the drop of a hat to walk that sacred and holy ground and to remember...

Families are forever.