Winter at the beach

It is a whole different scene at the beach in the winter.
This is the day after xmas and it was amazing.
I had really expected lots of drift wood washed up on the beach because of all of the storms we have been having,
but there wasn't much.

The boys really wanted to go in the water...

The ocean was wild.

Boys had a fun time getting all sandy and cutting down the sand cliff.

WW: Jump (Santa Cruz style)

Christmas 2010

Leapster for Luke - check

Batman slippers for Jack - check

magnets from Nonna and Poppi - check

Worn out family - per usual.
And Jack is neurotically watching football and tell you that his team is winning.
His team is always winning because he switches sides constantly...

Merry xmas eve with the Knabbs

Grandpa waiting for dinner

Grandma waiting for dinner

Uncle Jake and Diana waiting for dinner....
(the stocking were hung by the picture with care)

Luckily, Jake and Grandma got new phones so that everyone was entertained with games.
They were all soooo intralled that Jake had to bring out his ipad!

Giving us time to finish cooking dinner!

Waiting for xmas eve...

The tree is decorated...

The tongues are out...

waiting, waiting, waiting

and playing fee, fye, pho...

Making cookies for Santa!

Luke LOVES to bake! Every Monday that Jack goes to gymnastics...we cook together.

He asks for his chef outfit and away we go.

I realize that I forgot to take any actual pictures of cookies or lemon bread or toffee...
They are yummy!
Merry Christmas eve everyone!

boys and rain

The boys love the rain when they can get outside in it!

Mud puddles to splash in, leave to float down new streams and worms to save!

Thankfully, we are getting a break from all the rain today and tomorrow and I am still dreaming of summer!

Santa arrives a little early

Last weekend we went to a Christmas party at my FIL's.
And Santa arrived with gifts for everyone!

The children were in awe (and a little afraid)

Luke is not so sure about this Santa guy.

But Jack, after Santa left, said "that was grandpa" and I asked him why he thought that and he said "grandpa was the only one not in the room" when Santa was there... That kid is too smart. We said he was in the bathroom, but I'm not sure Jack bought it.
I did say that he was a Santa helper, because Santa is busy this time of year.

WW: waiting for santa and reading a book

We went to a party where Santa was coming...

Waiting for Santa and and the rain to stop!

Luckily we had books to read.

Preschool holiday party

We had a nice time last week at the boys preschool holiday party.
Nothing like 70 parents and 35 kids all together for a potluck in tiny chairs!

The kids all sang for us and Jingle Bells was a big hit!

Luke was front and center (as he likes it) and
Jack enjoyed himself in the third row where we couldn't see him (as he likes it)!

The weather outside is frightful!

So, we have had and are still having some severe weather...

The park that we walk to is closed!

And the mighty San Lorenzo River is raging!

And a tree fell down which wiped out the bridge we walk over when we walk the boys to school.
(We heard a loud boom and I felt the ground shake and then we went exploring to find this!)
As soon as christmas is over (which won't be the same with out Ron and Gloria here) I am ready for summer!