Hi Everyone!
Merry Belated Christmas! Sorry I haven’t posted sooner but I was enjoying my free time with my usually very busy husband. We spent Christmas in California this year and it was so relaxing!

I was surprised by how well I coped with not seeing family at Christmas time. Last year was the first year we completely split time between each family and had to miss a gathering or two so we could be with the other one’s family. We were in the same state and that was hard for me last year. I wasn’t sure how it was going to go this year, not seeing family at all. Jeff usually does better with not getting homesick. I have to say, around the 28th or so, when people started coming back into town, it felt like we skipped christmas because we didn’t do the normal events. But, this year was a lot of fun and very relaxing! Jeff actually told me that he is ready and excited for the next quarter to start! I haven’t heard that in a while. We enjoyed not house hopping and spending quality time together, which we really needed. Here are some pictures of our fun times!

Our Newlywed Mistletoe- It may stay up the rest of the year!

Our heart garland for the tree.

Our church, Reality LA, had a service on the 23rd but I took care of the babies that night so I didn’t get to hear the sermon. So for the 24th, we went to an eleven o’clock service at Lake Avenue (pictured above), a huge church down the street from our house. We were also invited to a friend’s house for christmas eve dinner. It was so nice to be surrounded by his family and friends that night.

Growing up, we always received silly string in our stockings, and we would have a silly string fight christmas morning.   Jeff and I were delighted to find silly string in our gifts from my parents. I declared myself the victor of the fight, but it was fun spraying and laughing at one another Christmas morning.

Also during the break, I found a job taking care of this sweet dog, Salsa. We went to her house twice a day to walk her and care for her. The walks were fun and got us out of the house and exercising, but I enjoyed them more for the great quality time we had to talk to each other about joys and fears for next year.

Before Christmas we went to Rancho Cucamonga, a city about 45 mins from us. There is a street that is famous for its’ christmas lights. I think when you move there, you sign something saying you will participate in decorating your house. It is also a bonus that there is a chickfila right off that exit! First stop – Sweet tea, waffle fries, chicken sandwich, and a cookies n’ cream milkshake!

Here is the awesome street of christmas lights!

 

This house had a dance company come a perform in the driveway! The girls were so cute!

This house cheated and tweaked their decorations from halloween.

“Dear Santa, I can explain…”

Most of the neighbors sit in their driveway and sell hot chocolate, cookies, etc. We had to stop for homemade tamales on the street!

Merry christmas in different languages. No romanian though.

Ninja Turtles are always awesome!

We hope you and your family had a Merry Christmas too!