Christmas In...

...sunny or rainy California!?! Well we had a little bit of both during our 2 1/2 week stay. We arrived on 23rd of December, Jordan stayed through the 26th and then came back the 1st of January for another week, while I got to stay the whole time at the Walburger's. What a fun holiday vacation!! We had a blast and to be able to document it all we took ALOT of pics, which is the point right? So here it is day by day...

Christmas Eve, December 24

That morning Andy and Jordan went off to play football and the cooking began! We are so lucky that Andy and Mandy and their kids live so close to Judy and Gary that we get to see them everytime we come to visit. Their kids were fantastic with Drake and he had such a great time with his cousins. Judy is one talented woman! She had her menu all planned out and Christmas Eve dinner was no disappointment. It was delicious!

As tradition, all the kids re-enact the Nativity after dinner. Clayton was a handsome Joseph, Anna-the beautiful Mary, Chase-a strong wise man/soldier, Eliza- a sweet Angel, and Drake-a unhappy wise man :). Judy was our narrator and it was awesome. It puts a smile on my face just thinking about it. Christmas Day, December 25

We were all very well rested on Christmas morning, as we all got to sleep in! Actually we were all awake before Drake! Gary, Judy, Jordan and I ate breakfast, had hot chocolate looking at the clock wondering when Drake was going to wake up. Andy and Mandy and their kids would be back over around noon, so we decided to wait for them to open presents since we had such a late start! Drake ended up waking up around 9:45am and happy as a clam! Oh he was so happy, I think he really knew it was Christmas (or it was just all the sleep he got!) We had a couple of "Santa" presents laid out for him and he was SOO excited as you can see in the pictures. We got the reaction we had hoped for on Christmas morning. It was adorable. After that we got ready and opened more presents with Andy and Mandy and their kids. Such a fun time. That afternoon we had the missionaries over for Christmas dinner, again a delicious meal planned by Judy. It was a wonderful day, so much happiness all around.

Sunday, December 26- Jordan headed home and Drake and I went to church with Mimi and Papa.

Monday, December 27

My Sister Brittney came and picked Drake and I up since she lives in Cali now! After going to lunch with Judy we headed out to Thousand Oaks to stay with Micah's family for the night.

Tuesday December 28

Happy 6th Anniversary to Jordan and I! He was still in Texas and I was still in Cali...Bummer. But Britt, Drake and I took off in the morning to go down where she lives so I could check her place out. We had lunch at Cafe Rio, got some bubbles at the dollar store and headed down to Laguna Beach since it is only 20 minutes away from her house!! That is still so crazy to think about since that was the place we would vacation growing up. It was Drake's first time at the beach and it was a fun time. He hated the sand on his toes, I mean started whining and wouldn't put his feet down. But he eventually got used to it and had a good time. I loved watching him take it all in; watching the water, looking at all the people, pointing out all of the seagulls and dogs that were there. After the beach we took off and had a fun night at her lovely apartment. I mean Brittney has a serious knack at decorating. Cutest apartment ever. I love spending time with my sisters and this was such a fun time for me.

Wednesday, December 29

Britt took me back to Judy and Gary's and that afternoon Jonathan (Jordan's brother) and Beth and their family made it to Whittier! They haven't been back to Whittier for about 5 years and they made it this year! It was such a happy reunion and we had such a great time with them!

This picture is so cute. I told Ben to smile at me and he just posed with the biggest smile. He is such a sweet boy!

Thursday, December 30th

After it raining so much in California we finally had a sunny day and it was time to get outside! So while the older kids went to Magic Mountain, Beth, Gary and I took the little boys on a little walk...by the end it seemed like a long walk. :)

Ben-4 Drake-22mo. Ty-2 1/2

Friday, December 31st

Andy and Mandy came over again with their kids and in total with all of our kids we had 10 roaming around! It was crazy but so much fun. All of the cousins had a blast all hanging out and playing together. Like I said before this time was such a great reunion for everyone. We were definitely missing Corbin and Louise and their kids.

That evening to bring in the new year we headed over to Jordan's Uncle Bob and Aunt Julie's house for a big party. Julie and Bob know how to throw a party! Unlimited amounts of food, a bounce house for the kids, party hats and noise makers, great company, a pinata (for everyone!), and they bring in the new year New York style... meaning at 10pm, I love it! We were home and in bed before the new year, again without my hubby, but we were all exhausted by day in and day out fun that we were wiped!

Drake was my new years kiss this year! Happy 2011!

Saturday, January 1st

As tradition everyone goes to the Pasadena Rose parade the morning of new years day. This year since I was solo and didn't feel like running after a 22 mo. old I opted out this year but did watch it on TV. I do love the parade but some times you have to give. After the parade Gary picked up Jordan from the airport and another party began at the Walburger's with some of Jordan's cousins and Aunt and Uncle. It was great catching up with Matt and Lacy since we don't get to see them nearly enough!

Sunday, January 2nd- We all went to church and played at home!

Monday, January 3rd

Girls day out! Judy treated all of us girls to lunch and a pedicure and that night we went and saw Tangled with Scotty and Jack. Such a fun day!

Tuesday, January 4th

Knotts Berry Farm! All 18 of us headed out to Knotts Berry Farm for the day and it was so fun! I know I keep saying that but everyday was just a blast. I loved every minute I was there with every one. I loved that Drake was big enough to go on the little kids rides and he loved them! He took a nap in the stroller and was such a trooper throughout the whole day. Oh and it was Clayton's Birthday!

Wednesday, January 5th

Jonathan and Beth took off and headed back to Folsom. Such a sad goodbye but we hope to see them around more often since they can travel a little bit! That night since Jordan and I weren't able to go out for our anniversary on the 28th, Judy and Gary treated us to dinner. We went to LA Live in downtown LA and ate at the Yardhouse. The People's Choice awards were going on right next door so Jordan, Judy and I went and checked it out while we were waiting to be sat and the red carpet was just feet away! Of course it was blocked off but we got to see Taylor Swift and Neil Patrick Harris! There were photographers there telling us to pose by all of these life size cutouts of celebrities on a mock red carpet. Can you tell I am so embarrassed?!! After dinner Judy, Drake and I headed home and Gary and Jordan headed to the Clippers game.

Thursday, January 6th

Judy and I went and got massages! She spoiled me for Christmas with a massage, a facial, and a pedicure. It was perfect! We went and got our massages and then about an hour later I went and got my facial. It was a day of relaxation. Awww.

Drake at this point was getting sick with a fever and cough. So we took him to the doc and sure enough double ear infection and miserable. Judy and Gary were nice enough to be our babysitters for the night and we went to dinner with one of Jordan's good friend from college and his wife.

Friday, January 7th

Drake still so miserable, poor guy. We pawned him off to Britt for the night so we could go out with Matt and Lacy. We had such a great night with them! We ate at a great restaurant right on the water and just chatted the rest of the night!

Saturday, January 8th

We headed back to Britt and Micah's house and spent the day with my family! My Mom and Dad and Grandma drove in the night before from Vegas and we got to do Christmas with them. I know it was a week and a half late but it was great being able to do it with them none the less! Poor Drake was even worse, he was coughing, just wanted to be held, antibiotic was not working, had eye gunk, and a fever. He was not a happy camper. Other than feeling bad for him we had a wonderful time with my family! We headed back to Whittier that evening and packed since we were heading back to Texas the next morning.

Whew! Probably boring for most of you to read all of this but I wanted to document it all for the future. It was such a wonderful Christmas break. I am sooo blessed with great in laws, so blessed. I had such a great time with Beth and Mandy, just being able to catch up. It was a busy 2 1/2 weeks as you can tell but it was wonderful. Poor Drake got so sick. Monday I took him in again to the doc and she got him on heavier antibiotics along with breathing treatments every 4 hours and that finally kicked whatever he had. Poor guy. We are back to normal now,YAY! With many fond, fond memories of Christmas and New Years 2010! Thank you Gary and Judy for such a great stay!