Christmas Eve/Morning 2010

Christmas Eve Book Exchange at the Williamsons

Christmas Eve dinner at our house

Christmas morning at our house

Christmas in Utah

Excited for the Nutcracker Ballet

Playing in the snow

Skiing in Park City

Christmas dinner

Thank God for Uggs

We are back from our holiday trip to Utah and all I have to say is "Thank God for Uggs!" We had a wonderful time visiting family and playing in the snow, but it was cold, cold, cold!!! I don't think I took my Uggs off for 6 straight days. I will post pictures soon, but for now I am taking a little time to defrost now that we are back in Cali :)

Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas y'all and a Happy New Year!

See ya on the flip slide :)

Photo Friday

Decorating and enjoying the season. Here is to a wonderful holiday!

Caroling

This is something my kids look forward to every year - our annual neighborhood Christmas caroling party. All that is needed is a home for a little before caroling food and cheer, song sheets, bells, santa hats, and willing participants. What Fun!!!!!!!

A Simple Emigrant Christmas

I just came across this in the Sac Bee Ticket section and thought it looked like a great activity for my girls. Weather permitting we will be stopping by tomorrow for a little old fashioned Christmas fun.

A Simple Emigrant Christmas

Saturday, Dec 12 10:00a to 5:00p

at Sutter's Fort State Historic Park, Sacramento, CA

Price: Adults $4 (18 years and older) Youth $2 (ages 6 to 17) Children Free (5 and under)

Phone: (916) 445-4422

Age Suitability: All Ages

Costumed docents will be interpreting and demonstrating the many different Christmas traditions that would have been celebrated by the early immigrants at Sutter’s Fort. Come learn about the tradition of the Christmas tree and help us decorate our own Fort tree. There will be a popcorn and cranberry stringing activity, and making paper cut-out ornaments. Visitors can also participate in dipping candles, and the young at heart can keep one as a remembrance of their visit.

Toys For Tots

What a great deal and one that I will not be passing up!!! Donate a toy at the Sacramento Zoo and get a free children's admission ticket to use at your convience.

Toys for Tots Collection Site Daily through December 12: 10 am to 4 pm Bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots, and receive a free child’s admission ticket to the Sacramento Zoo to use at your convenience.

Decisions, decisions

This looks like fun:

Hmm this looks like fun too:

December 6th
32nd Annual Christmas Parade
1:00PM
This big parade takes place rain or shine and starts at the Mountain Democrat parking lot on upper Broadway in Placerville and continues down Main Street.

Sponsored by Jim & Cathy McIntire.
For info call (530) 621-5885

Decisions decisions - what will you and yours be doing this holiday season weekend?

2009 Advent Calendar

Each year I like to make a new advent calendar for my kids. This year I decided on a service based calendar made out of recycled boxes. Here is how to do it:

1. First collect food boxes, postcards, dvd covers, or anything else made out of stiff paper or cardboard that you would otherwise dispose of.

2. Use an X-acto knife to cut 25 christmas tree shapes out of the recycled cardboard

3. Turn them over and write one service your child can perform each day. Some Examples include:

Tell someone you love them

Clean your room

Compliment 3 people

Take food to the food bank

Next place sticky backed magnet pieces (you can purchase a strip of these at the craft store) on the back of each tree

4. Place a round sticker on the front of each tree. Write one number up to Christmas Day (25th) on each sticker.

5. Place all trees on your refrigerator and have the kids turn the appropriate one over each day. They are sure to end up on Santa's good list if they complete all of the tasks!!!

San Francisco Christmas Magic

We believe - we believe in the holiday magic found in big cities. Each year we take a weekend trip to San Francisco to see all of the lights, windows and holiday cheer and of course Santa. It is a trip we all look forward to and one that makes the most amazing memories. This year we chose to stay at the Westin St. Francis right across from Union Square. We made sure that our room had a view of the Christmas tree and ice skating rink - what fun! The girls love walking around the city looking at all of the amazing lights and window decorations. Of course a highlight is always the Macy's windows with the real live kittens that are up for adoption. This year we had an extra bonus - after visiting with Santa we stepped outside the store to find it was snowing!!!! Macy's had set up a snow making machine and had it running I think just for us :) We were all surprised and delighted and we didn't leave until we had each caught at least one flake on our tongues.

Fabulous Christmas Windows

The view from our room

Macy's Christmas wreaths

Looking back on our hotel

Kitten up for adoption in Macy's window