Christmas in Coloma

We took the kids to Coloma to celebrate Christmas how they did it during the

"GOLD RUSH"!

Our attempt at getting a picture with Santa went exactly the way I expected!

We had better luck at the SNOW MOUNTAIN that they trucked in just for the occasion!

We brought PAPA. . .

and NANA along with us!

We took a ride on this!

Everywhere we looked someone was dressed in authentic costume!

It was so neat!

Especially this guy, who for some reason thought it fun to grab my husband's leg. . .

But my favorite was this lady who showed us how to make yarn.

I wanted so bad to get a picture with her and Kara since Kara is wearing a knitted hat and scarf that I wore when I was her age that my "aunt annie" had knitted for me!

It was a great way to really kick off our Christmas season!

I almost forgot. . .

For the "moment" all my kids are all in one piece with no broken bones!

Kris's broken collar bone healed up perfectly.

He even has more bone than what he started out with. Kinda cool bump that is!

And here is Kale right after the trauma of getting his cast off.

(there may have been a few tears of anticipation)

And this is our Awesome Orthopedic Doctor who sees us way too often!

Thanks Dr. Wall for putting my boys back together

and for not turning me into CPS!

It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas. . .

We finally got our house decorated for Christmas this year.

It took me longer this year than last year. . .

Maybe it's because we keep adding decorations each and every year!

This year it was Karalyn's turn to put the Star on the Tree!

She did it perfectly!

We added a little something under our tree this year.

I got this "Christmas Story" train for 75% off last year after Christmas so this year it has it's home under our Christmas tree and the kids are loving it!

I mean it comes with a LEG LAMP!

It'll look better once we get some presents under there, but it looks pretty cool as the train goes around and around !

We also added a few decorations to the outside of our house this year as well!

When Kyle's Grandparents moved up here this summer so did these famous Christmas Decorations that have been adorning their little home in Fremont for over 50 years!

Since their retirement home had no place to put them up we get to put them in our yard!

It was really neat to see 3 generations out there working together to get these decorations looking just perfect!

Papa if you thought because you moved you were going to finally after 50 years not put up Christmas decorations you were wrong!

We loved the help!

And we love how they look in our yard!

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Was THANKSGIVING really only last week?

Life has been so busy (and so fun) and I have accomplished so much since Thanksgiving it's hard to believe it really was less than a week ago!

Here's some of the Highlights!

We attended our favorite

DAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING PARADE

(it may be the only one in the country and it is ours!)

IT WAS COLD. . . .

We had fun with Cousins. . .

and friends. . .

and the best part was all the candy that was thrown!

There were turkeys in the parade.

And Orange Tractors!

But our favorite "float" this year was an entire truck full of San Francisco Giants Fans!

Then just like you were in New York City watching the Macy's Parade. . .

Here comes Santa Clause!

But unlike the Macy's Parade. . .

you don't get a turkey at the end reminding us to eat more CHICKEN!

As you can see the parade was enjoyed by all!

Then it was on to THANKSGIVING DAY!

My sister and her family drove 13 hours to be with us for Thanksgiving this year!

They arrived Thanksgiving morning and we had a whole spread of appetizers waiting for them!

Our Thanksgiving Day Table. . .

And the FOOD!

And the Dishes. . .

Thanksgiving wouldn't be complete without the dishes!

Here's the cousins!

Kale, Kris, Karalyn, Sara, Ana and baby David

This is more like how the weekend went!

What do you think?

Do we need another baby around here?

Kara sure doesn't think so!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Getaway for 25 Hours. . .

Even in a City like San Francisco it really is a talent to cram this much fun into a 25 hour little getaway!

But me and these 3 gals did it!

There were crazy cab rides. . .

and maybe a crazy cab driver. . .

But we made it to see this!

And then somehow after the show made it here. . .

to the STARLIGHT LOUNGE!

When upon finding out if you are going to sit here you have to order something. . .

we quickly got up and moved our way onto the dance floor. . .

Where they may have been some Salsa Dancing involved!

And after a fun filled night we woke up the next morning and had time for a quick breakfast before heading to the airport to drop Kelly off to head home!

Sheena, Kasey and I might have hung out for a few more hours and had a few more adventures along the way!

Top of the Mark anyone?

So much fun!

Thanks to everyone (and there was an army) who made this little 25 hours possible!