Christmas Eve

 Xmas Eve morning hike.  The only way we can get the kids to go without complaining is to bring a friend and a dog.  Thank goodness for Aidan and Bentley

PV Snowman

Christmas Eve Dinner at Papu and Papa's

 Playing our traditional Clap game, guess who won?

The family Wizard trick was successful, again!

Hailey's contact picture

 My parent's friends joined us for dinner, Marty and Jan.  Having a little fondue with an uncontrollable flame

 It's so hard to go to bed Xmas Eve, I had to give Hailey NyQuil

Gingerbread Contest

Every year Amber comes up with a new and creative Christmas party.  This year was a Family Gingerbread Making Contest.  Each family got 1 house, not pre-fabbed and you could bring any supplies you'd like to use.  

 8 families competed 

Our house

Hamilton

Jesse and I got 2 tickets to go see Hamilton back in August.  Little did we know that Hailey was going to be doing a play at school inspired by Hamilton with some of the music from it.  She fell in love with the music so Jesse told her she could have his ticket.  I woke up that morning really sick so Jesse ended up taking Hailey.  The Mendoza's had tickets for the same night so they all went together

 This is how Hailey went to school the next morning.  She loved the play

MB Fireworks

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is going to the Manhattan Beach fireworks.  We lucked out this year, it was so nice out that we could have sat in the sand for hours

Wadas, Aidan and Camps played a little football while waiting

December 10th, 7pm in shorts on the beach.  The Wadas said that was so fun we are doing this every year- I warned them it's usually freezing

Nana and Papa visit

Cathy and Duane came down for a quick visit. A little morning bird watching from the front porch.  We had no sports to attend so it was a mellow weekend.  Lots of shopping got done

 We headed over to the Cabrillo Aquarium to find out it's closed on Mondays

 So we went for a walk and bumped into my friend that works at the aquarium.  She said she would open the gates just for us!  

 Touch Tank where I spent many hours volunteering as a kid.

With school and sports Shane didn't get to hang out a whole lot

 Vitamin D therapy

It was a nice mellow visit with Cathy and Duane before Christmas

OSS

Hailey went to Outdoor Science Camp for 5 days in Wrightwood with her 5th grade class.  I signed up to be a chaperon and got chosen but Hailey said she didn't want me to go.  Fair enough, I respect her wish and really have no desire to sleep on a hard bed.  She packed her bag a week before the trip and every night before bed she would say, "I can't wait for OSS!"  She's heard so many great things about the trip.  Whatever you pack you have to be able to carry, good thing she's strong.

Nicolette and her bound for the mountains

Hailey at breakfast with Charlotte.  I got a text from my friend the first day, telling me she didn't know Hailey was Gluten Free!  Apparently when they asked the kids if anyone had food issues Hailey for some reason said she was gluten free.  Turns out the gluten free food was really good and all the other kids started asking for it, Hailey was the only one who got it.  They made every meal special for her.  I asked her when she got back why she said she was gluten free?  Her response was if she did it at camp then I wouldn't have to change my cooking and go to the store and buy special stuff.  She was trying to see if her nose at night would be less stuffy

Hailey's day group Georgie and Erika.  Yes it was very cold

 They went on many hikes, one day a 6 miler

 Hailey and Lyzel

 I just love this picture of my Happy Girl! 

Hailey said the trip was so fun, she never got homesick, it went by superfast, she was never bored, wished it were longer and was glad I didn't go!  Win Win

My friend Tracey sent me some photos of Hailey while she was there, she said Hailey was always smiling

 Getting ready for the Dance

 Off the bus to hug her mommy.  She said she showered 1 time, for 1 minute!  That is heaven to her

 Guess who surprised Hailey at the bus, Nana and Papa.  Hailey must have talked over an hour straight about the camp.  She was amped.

Woodshop

Shane's elective this semester was Woodshop.  He really enjoyed it and I think he surprised himself on what he could make.  1st project was the bowl, then the wood pen and last was the clock.  He could make any shape clock and choose an elephant!

After Thanksgiving

We went to the UCLA Women's Soccer NCAA quarterfinals with the Masseys and I can't tell you how amazed I was watching them.  These girls were so impressive and fun to watch, better than any of our National teams

Hailey running on the Track that Jesse and I spent hours training on

Kids vs Parents Flag Football 

Guess who was the star with 6 interceptions, Shane, who hates football!  As long as there aren't any formal game plays, he enjoys it

While the boys were throwing footballs, Jaime and I took the girls on the Strand to Rollerblade.  We weren't sure how far the girls would go but they went 5 miles-  Not too shabby

18th Anniversary

We celebrated our 18th Anniversary in Los Cabos last month but here we are on our actual Anniversary.  Almost like Cabo!