We partied and now we're home. Part 1.

We are home from a very busy and yet totally relaxing two weeks in Sacramento. We made sure to soak up every last second of our last Christmas break as students and as always it was so, so nice to be home. I was hoping to post about our whole vaca in just one post but I just don't have the stamina. Too much fun was had and I don't think anyone (including me) wants to look at a trillion pictures of me ;)

 

Here it is, our Christmas 2012 photo-dump:

 

Christmas Party: My Dad's-Side Style

 

Delicious food, great service opportunity, and another trip to the ER for Talmage's poor face to be stiched. Between sobs he explained to the doctor how he was trying to sled on his plastic plate and then he fell forward and was bleeding. This is T's third set of stiches, but this was by far the deepest gash. Good thing it's on his chin and can be covered by a manly five o'clock someday!

 

 

 

 

Leatherby's with Our Favorites 

 

It seems like sneaking out after the kids go to bed for ice cream is turning into a tradition. And I love it. Most notable parts of the night were James wanting to order Patty's Petite Sundae and then downing his Black and White in record speed and Ash not having any fun on her ice cream (no whip cream, no cherry--is she my sister?) 



 

 

 

Gingerbread Houses and Dovewood Court

 

I think all three boys (T, Evie and KaiKai) consumed their body's weight of candy, and Mema's house was definitely the prettiest. The lights of Dovewood were amazing as always. Talmage was excited by each new home and light--he is the funnest little kid I know and is so fun to have along. Everett screamed and cried whenever he thought we were too close to Santa. Poor kid! 

 

 

 

Christmas Eve's Eve at Mommo's

 

Uncle Buck was our culinary king (as alwasy) with trip tip and his world-famous homemade ice cream. Auntie Lynn supplied all the awesomely-crazy hats and outfits for "Team Zelda." The little boys were showered with love, attention and gifts. What a beautiful Christmas celebration!

 

 

 

Christmas Eve Day: The Sacramento Zoo

 

My family usually sees a movie on Christmas Eve, but as more kids are added to the family it has become harder to do. This year we learned that the Sacramento Zoo does a free day on Christmas Eve and we thought that bringing our little zoo to the real zoo was a great plan. It was so cold, but so fun. Highlight for the boys was probably the monkeys, the giraffes and the carousel ride that Pepa gave them.

 

 

 

 

Christmas Eve on the Mountain

 

We headed to Honey and Grandpa's house on the mountain for Christmas Eve dinner, family time and 'twas gifts. The highlight of my night was seeing Talmage open up his dinosaur pajama's--the one thing he desparately wanted for Christmas. He was shaking with excitement and immediately stripped down to put them on. It was way cute!

 

 

 

Next Post: Christmas Day, Everything In Between and New Years