Christmas Day

We spent Christmas Day with Mimi and Grampa, as well as aunt Susie and cousin Alex. The highlight of the day for Deanna was receiving her beloved horsey "Princess", courtesy of Mimi and Grampa. Deanna has seen this horse many times at Costco. Several times when we went to Costco she would see this horse and go nuts over it. She would ride it, pet it, and announce very loudly, "I LOVE THIS HORSE!". This was top of her list but I don't think she thought she would really get it.
The horse now resides in our house, is hauled up and down stairs, and brushed and fed regularly.

Christmas Eve

We had a great Christmas this year, with all of our family. Christmas Eve was at our house, with quite a lively bunch. Deanna had fun with all of her grown up cousins as well as Grandma and Aunts and Uncles. Deanna took most of the pictures herself.
Jeremy and Jordan spent the night so we could get up early and open our presents. We were all very lucky to get lots of great gifts! Deanna got many things on her list.

Christmas Cards

Every year, since Jeremy was a baby, I have done a picture for our Christmas Card. In the old days, I took a whole roll of film and hoped for one good picture after they were developed. Now I can just take as many as it takes to get a few good ones. The boys were never cooperative for pictures, and still are not. Deanna on the other hand loves to have pictures taken, but she does have her limit. I tried to get a picture of the "kids" at Thanksgiving, but no luck getting a good one.

Here are a few of the non-deleted ones!

SANTA

Deanna is very much into Santa this year. We took her to the mall to see him, and she made him an extra copy of her list. Her "list" is also something she is into this year. Everything she sees at any store she says "put this on my list!" I told her, you know you don't get everything on your list. She looked at me for a few seconds and said "you're kidding me, right?" At least her list is so big she won't remember everything on it anyway. We keep reinforcing the true meaning of Christmas, and that it is better to give than to receive... but I think it will take a few years to fully understand that concept. For now we are shouting "Santa I love you" across the mall.

Christmas Tree

We had great weather for picking out a Christmas Tree this year. We are fortunate to have many tree farms by our house, with very beautiful trees. Every on is truly perfect. We picked ours out in a matter of minutes, so we could get on with the decorating. Deanna is very much into the whole Christmas experience this year, her second Christmas!

Thanksgiving

Our Thanksgiving started out with a program by the Kindergarten class. I was the only one who could attend but I shot a video so the whole family wouldn't miss out!
We then headed to the beach, where we like to spend a relaxing Thanksgiving at the family beach house. Our family, and my parents (Mimi and Grampa) had dinner together. Aunt Susie and cousin Alex came down the next day for a visit. Alex (24 year old) took Deanna miniature golfing...alone. When we met up with them, they had played golf, gone on the tilt-a-whirl, and Deanna had a bag of candy, two huge jaw breakers, and some pop. Alex said "I couldn't say no to her!" Well, he's definitely not the first one, nor will he be the last.
The weather was rainy but there were a few sun breaks. I tried to get a few good pictures of Deanna with Jeremy and Jordan, but the "boys" weren't too cooperative.

We got home in time for Deanna to go to gymnastics for parents night out. That equals 4 hours of non-stop activity with her friend! This is the one thing that actually wears her out. A nice end to a fun weekend.