Huntington Gardens

Over the holidays, we took the kids to Huntington Gardens in Pasadena. It's truly a magical place and the kids LOVE it.

Mistletoe.

She's got Uncle Connor's eyes.

Cousin Nadia

Silly Livers

Rose Parade

Another one of our holiday traditions is to go to the Rose Parade in Pasadena. This is one of our favorite things to do each year. Aunt Laura's brother is kind enough to let us take some of his spot that he saves for three days. Three days. There are lots of rules when saving a spot on the parade route, like not being able to sit down at your spot for the first two days. You can't even stand out on the parade route until three days prior to the parade. Her brother brings a wheelchair so he can sit down during all three days. Brilliant. You also can't mark off your space until day three. He always saves a spot at the beginning of the parade route, which is by far the best location. The energy is up, everyone in the parade is excited and fresh, the floats haven't broken down yet or lost many flowers on the road. It's just perfect.

Nadia and Olivia right in front.

This was one of the first marching bands. They said a prayer before the parade started. This was a rare sighting and we loved it.

Grandma, Morgan and Liam waiting for the parade to start.

Charlie hears the beginning of a marching band and starts to get really excited.

Baby Peter bundled up and looking yummy.

Julia holding baby Peter and watching the parade go by.

Scary, but cool, horse guy.

Lots of poop on the parade route. The worst is when someone in a marching band has to step in it because they can't step out of formation. There are lots of pooper scoopers who run up and down the streets scooping poop, but sometimes the poop gets out of hand.

The detail on the floats is mind-boggling and so different in person than on TV.

Only organic material is used to decorate the floats.

I miss my Trader Joe's!

The Boy Scouts concluded the parade. It was by far the best part. Hundreds of boy scouts marched and it was very patriotic and emotional.

These boy scouts are holding up various merit badges, all decorated with flower petals and other organic material.

Christmas Spa Tradition

Over the holidays, we have this tradition at Grandma Daines' house where the children give the men a "spa treatment". This consists of makeup, massages, and hair dos. My favorite is the makeup part. It looks just so wrong when the men have makeup on, but the little girls think it's so fun and hilarious. The men are good sports.

Olivia doing Great Grandpa Harvey's hair.

Grandpa Larry getting a new do. Please notice his lavender eye shadow and fuschia pink lips. It kills me.

Hand massage from Olivia with Nadia touching up his makeup.

Olivia giving daddy a makeup application.

Uncle Steven blowing kisses to the camera. He knows how to work it.

Great Grandpa Harvey getting a hand massage from Olivia.

Olivia really got into it and gave him a good massage. (The lotion is glittered.)

Grandpa Harvey is all smiles after his relaxing hand massage.

Grandpa Harvey with Olivia and Julia after his treatment.

Grandpa and the girls.

Christmas 2009

We spent Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa Daines' in California this year. I have to say I don't really care about a White Christmas when the weather is 70 degrees plus. On Christmas morning we make the kids run through the courtyard into the kitchen for breakfast first, and then we go into the living room to see what Santa delivered. It makes the morning a little less chaotic and nuts.

Liam running through the courtyard to the kitchen so he doesn't see all the loot Santa brought!

The kids (Julia is holding baby Peter) waiting semi-patiently for us to open up the door for the big reveal. They look happy but they had had it with waiting through breakfast and for everyone to be ready.

Liam pointing the way. He was the North Star of the morning.

Charlie was ecstatic when he opened up a Coke from Uncle Morgan. It was Uncle Morgan's first attempt at "payback" for all the obnoxious things Uncle Eric has taught our kids over the years. Charlie opened the Coke and it exploded, just a little, in Grandma's living room. (I swear, Grandma, it was just a little!) I think that was the only time the whole week we were there that I saw Grandma a bit displeased.

Olivia feeling the love of the ipod.

A "shooting gun" is what Liam asked Santa for. Looks like Santa pulled through.

Grandpa loved his gift from his grandkids. A surprise portrait of all of them together.

Visiting Santa

Our visit to Santa this year was a good one: A sweet, nice Santa and no lines.

Liam thinking about what to tell Santa. He eventually asks for a "shooting gun".

Do you think I should've maybe brushed Liam's hair?

Olivia shy as usual.

Santa busting out a high five for Olivia.

Look how big my first born is. Take a good look because this will probably be the last time she will ever sit on Santa's lap. So sad.

"So do you, like, know what an ipod touch is?"

He said "of course, that's what all the kids are asking for this year!"