Vasquez Rocks

We see the Vasquez Rocks every time we head into the LA Valley on the 14 freeway. We finally made the Vasquez rocks a priority and stopped to check them out. Our friends the Salazars joined us. Sometimes it is better to be with friends especially when dad is out of town and mom needs help keeping kids in control.

Feeling like kings of the world on top of these rocks. The kids loved all the climbing and exploring they got to do. The mom's were just happy that no one fell to their deaths.

Rainbow Loom

Coach got a Rainbow Loom bracelet maker from his cousin Hali for Christmas. These bracelets are all the rage in elementary schools across America.

 

Here are some of the few bracelets we have been rocking.

New Years

New Years Eve found us down in the LA valley. First we checked out the lights at the LA Temple. 

Of course we had to see the Christus. 

Next the older boys and I went to Universal Studios and rode some of our favorite rides while dad and the younger boys checked into our hotel.

Family selfie! The New Years party was raging in our hotel room.

So much so that all the littles were passed out by 9:30 p.m. I love that by living in California we can celebrate New Years with the Easterners at 9:00 p.m. and then our kids can pass out at a reasonable hour. Dad and I stayed up until midnight and enjoyed the awesome Universal Studios firework show from our hotel room. We tried to wake Ash and Coach but they were out.

 The next morning we woke up to a beautiful day. We decided that it was a must to head to the beach. Seriously, it was like 80 degrees on New Years day. Never in my life would I have dreamt that I would be spending New Years day on the beach enjoying the warm California sun. Life in California rocks!

 Look I am here too. Not many pictures of me as I am usually the one behind the camera.

We Got A Trampoline

Thank you Santa for bringing us a trampoline! Mom lobbied hard for this trampoline. I wanted something fun for the kids in the back yard because they usually want to play out front. I am fine with the older kids being out front, but I need something to keep the younger boys happy out back. The trampoline also makes the kids pretty popular on the street as all of their friends want to come over and jump on it.

Christmas Day

The decent downstairs to see what Santa brought.

 Grandma Honnie gave these two very happy boys skateboards.

 This little guy got the tool bench he has been asking for, for at least 6 months.

 Ash with all his loot.

Coach happy with his haul.

 TLex loves his keys and his toy plane

 This guy is happy with his bike shoes.

 Someone couldn't wait to try out his new tools in the yard.

 Dad took this gem of a picture on my new camera.

 The rest of the day was spent enjoying each others company. 

Rollerblading with mom.

 Wrestling with dad.

And don't forget the Christmas nap.

Christmas Eve

Moving away from family and the traditions we have always had was hard. When we realized how sad and lonely we would be our first Christmas Eve in California we came up with a plan to fill the void. We took off for DisneyLand. It was such a success we made it our new tradition.
Disneyland year two. We are so spoiled!

 The house after the big man made his visit.

 Mazie guarding the Christmas loot. GOOD DOG!

 Santa had some of the cookies and milk we left for him.

Christmas Eve's Eve

We celebrate Christmas Eve's Eve around these parts. This is the night we have our fancy dinner and discuss Christ's birth and the true meaning of Christmas. This year we invited the missionaries to join us. We love having the missionaries in our home.