The Boat Ride

We had bought a Groupon for a boat ride to see the decorated houses and boats in Newport Beach but we just couldn't fit it in before Christmas.  So, we went after.  And although we missed the decorated boat parade, we also missed the huge crowds and long, long lines.

So, still a win.

A nice guy offered to take a picture of all of us and even waited for a decorated house to appear behind us, so here we all are!

There was ample room for the kids to scamper all around the boat.  Except for this little guy who we were afraid was going to fall overboard.

With maybe a little help from Daddy.

Shrieks of scared delight and funny looks from strangers.  Sounds about right.

The Balboa ferry crossing.

And that wraps up our 2013.  Finally.  Thank You, Lord for the wonderful year it's been.

Now on to 2014!

Christmas Morning, part 2

More from Christmas morning...

The kids each made gifts for us at school, too.  This is Lauren's Christmas wreath with a candle in the middle.  Made out of cutouts of her hand print.  I cannot bring myself to throw anything away that has their hand print somewhere on it.  I think teachers maybe know this.

Mikey took this one.  I'm holding a wreath painstakingly made by Allie.  (Yes, I kept that too.)  Phil's holding a blue star made by I think Lauren.  (Yes, I probably kept that, too.)

A surprise for the girls.  They loved.

Getting down to the business of playing.

Just when he thought it was all over and was feeling about ready for a nap...

"What's that, Mommy?"

[Insert game show announcer voice]: A new car!  (That Daddy stayed up the night before to assemble for him.)

When all was said and done, we decided to go for a walk on the pier since it was such a beautiful day.  Mikey took this one, too.

And this one.

Showing Ah-ma some of the shots she took with her new camera.

They found two retro Pac-Man video games in the arcade.

And then it was back home for more playing time and together time and being so, so thankful time.

Merry Christmas, belated as it is.  :)

Christmas Morning, part 1

Because I want the distinction of being the latest person ever to still be blogging about Christmas.  :/



Ahem.  So, Christmas morning finally arrived.

The proverbial calm before the storm.

We told them they could come and wake us up but not too early.  Meaning, it had to be light outside first.  So it was early, but thankfully not too early.

The obligatory group picture.

He wanted no help this year.

Her most wished for present.

A camera of her very own.  Pink, of course.

This guy bought his own gift this year, but I found just the thing to give him at the last minute.

His already owned black slippers that he'd been sorely missing the last couple weeks.  I found them buried in the tv room and presto!  A present for the Philsters to open Christmas morning.

This year, Mikey asked if he could have a "brother book" with pictures of him and Jonah in it.  I was happy to oblige especially since this year's project was so much easier than last year's request.

Simple or not, they all seemed to enjoy the brother book.

And yes, you guessed it.

You simply can't have a brother book without a sister book to go with it.

They were a hit.

More to come...

Christmas Eve

And before we knew it, Christmas Eve was upon us.

His look pretty much says it all.

My sweet boy.

My sweet girl.

Okay, the others are sweet too, but this boy wanted to get this show on the road.  (We let them open their stockings on Christmas Eve).

Discovering the joy of red envelopes.  Especially when they're from Ah-ma.

Daddy was in charge of stockings.  Looks like he didn't disappoint.

M, A, and J each got a minion.

"IT'S SO FLUFFY I COULD DIIIIIIIIIE!!!"  (She got the fluffy unicorn in case you couldn't tell).

Then we tucked the little critters into bed and because Ah-ma and Uncle Richard were staying with us over Christmas, Phil and I slipped out afterward to attend the Christmas Eve service at church.  This was the very first year we've been able to go since it's held at 11 pm.  Such a blessing to be able to step away from the busyness, to refocus our hearts on the true meaning of Christmas, to dwell on Emanuel God With Us, and in the quiet be so thankful for this precious baby who was born to die so that we could have eternal life with Him.  My cup overflows.  Thank you, Jesus.