Utah Trip for New Years

Aaron played in the snow every free moment. 

 Jacob thought the snow was a good idea, but not so fun to actually be in. 

 Alex and Aaron enjoyed the time with new cousins taking the train to SLC with them, swimming at the hotel, and putting lego sets together on Sunday.

New Years Eve day the boys went skiing for the first time and they loved it!!! Can't you tell?

Chris and I attended a NYE party where we got to dress up and be big kids for the night.

Christmas Morning

Alex made a coil method ceramic mug in school and gave it to Aaron for Christmas. He loves it so much and keeps thanking Alex for making it for him every time he uses it. 

 Aunt April got Alex this spherical puzzle and he loves the challenge.

 Excuse the blur - Aaron was unwrapping this so fast. He knew it was awesome and he hasn't put it down since. 

 Jacob unwrapped his presents slowly throughout the day. He would wander off and then one of the boys would find another one for him and convince him to open it.

 Enormous Power Rangers Sword vs. Robust 2 year old. Amazingly enough, its a pretty even fight. 

 This is the puzzle that I didn't finish. It was so stinking hard. 8 hours on Christmas day to just finish half of it. Too much.

Pre-Christmas Festivities

There were so many fun events leading up to Christmas day. 

 Alex and Aaron are part of a Christian "Kids Club" after school one day a week and the put together a really beautiful Christmas program. Alex was a caroler (the chorus) and Aaron was a shepherd. 

 Aaron is a very special artist. He draws the most unique facial expressions. I love the elf he made in class.

 We a playdate with lots of friends on the first day of Christmas vacation. The boys had fun playing and the girls had a great time with me in the kitchen making rolls, pelemeni and hot pink fettuccini. It was funny to watch the eat it. The were shocked it didn't taste like strawberry or some artificial flavor. "It just tastes like plain pasta!"

 Christmas Eve we began a new tradition of having some friends over for a big dinner and letting our kids choose one of their own presents under the tree they'd like to give to our guests. This is the group opening and assembling their lego sets.

 Justin and Kathryn made funny faces book again this year and the boys were, and still are, enjoy combining their cousins faces.

This picture is Lauren's hair, Evan's eyes and Andrew's mouth. So hilarious.

Alex Earns his Bobcat Badge

Alex loves Cub Scouts. He worked very hard on his Bobcat badge memorizing and preparing to be a cubscout. He was so excited to finally get it in December after he missed the chance to get it in November. He has actually been finished with the requirments since October so it was killing him that he had to wait so long to be honored for it. 

Internation Candle Lighting

UCSF held a special event for families who have lost a child. It is part of the worldwide Candle Lighting Celebration that is held every 2nd Sunday in December, starting back in 1997.

 It was held at the SF Zoo and the kids had fun playing around the zoo before the session began.

 Before the candle lighting at 7 pm, UCSF Social Work Services provided a couple activities for the families to do. We brought pictures of Andrew and made an entire scrapbook, each contributing a couple pages. After which dinner was served.

 The evening ended with the ceremony where we all lit a candle, placed it on the table next to our child's picture, and then said his name into the microphone. A few selected people shared personal experiences or read poetry. There were a lot of tears.

Sleep Eating

Every kid goes through this stage. 2 years old and they think they don't need a nap. So while they are eating dinner, they fall asleep while eating. Jacob is a persistant one. Instead of just slumping in his chair, he continues to eat Raman noodles. A rather tricky food. 

Hilarious.

Thanksgiving Weekend

We had the best weekend. Just our family. We made the traditional dinner. Invited 3 people to join us but unfortunately had a last minute cancelation and a sickness. So it was just us. After dinner we went to see Rise of the Guardians. I thought it was a 10. 

 Spending time with Jacob in his book-land. He reads his books so often (and with such gusto) that you can rarely see the floor of his room.

 Friday we went to Lake Cunningham Skate Park with the scooters. It was Jacob's first time on big ramps and he loved it.

 Saturday we went to the Tech museum and Jacob got his button pushing/touch screen fill.