SANTA!

On Sunday, December 21st...after a LONG wait, we were finally able to see Santa!

This year they changed the set-up at our usual place, the Fashion Show Mall. This year, they made it a DreamWorks Shrek/Santa experience which means, we needed to make a reservation. We originally tried to make the reservation for when Joe, Remy, and Maya were in town on the 6th or 7th but, the first available reservation was the 2 weeks out.

Jim and I were VERY worried that with all the changes that the "real" Santa would not be there anymore! We have had a great relationship with our "real" Santa and we didn't want that to change.

 

 

2011

 

 

 

Before we could find out if our "real" Santa was there it was time for dinner...pizza!

Finally it was time to see Santa...or at least we thought. We had a reservation to see Santa at 6:32 but after checking in, we didn't actually get into the experience until an hour and a half after that. A VERY LONG WAIT! But, at least Shrek and Fiona were there!

...I have no idea why these pictures are sideways...

After a LONG wait...and a short sleigh ride to the North Pole...it was finally time to see Santa. FINGERS CROSSED!

We were all thrilled to see our REAL SANTA! It was almost worth the wait. Thank goodness for Santa Bob!

Preschool Christmas Program

On Friday, December 20th Kera had her Christmas program at school. The kids were adorable and Kera did a great job with her lines...even though the lines that we were told to practice at home were not the lines she said at the performance. Good thing kids are so flexible!

Another fun Christmas program in the books!

38

Tuesday, December 16th was like any other...the girls both had school, we played with some friends after school, there was quiet time, and some afternoon fun. But, it was also my 38th birthday. Once Jim got home we headed out to dinner at a place I had been craving for MONTHS...Sushi Bomb!

Abby LOVES her tempera shrimp...

 ...and sashimi!

Kera was happy that I brought her dinner from home...no sushi for her!

We had a great dinner together! Here is to a GREAT 38!

Epic Iceskating Event!

On Saturday, December 13th we met some friends at the new downtown Summerlin. Downtown Summerlin is a great new shopping area by our house AND they have set-up an outside ice-skating rink for the holiday season and, of course, we had to go check it out. The girls and their friends, Mia and Jovie, had a blast!

Abby and Jovie were literally on the ice for 2.5 hours!!! Kera would be on the ice, take a break, and then get back on the ice. Mia lasted on the ice for about 40 minutes before she got off the ice and fell asleep in her mom's lap.  NOT Abby and Jovie...2.5 HOURS!

I knew it was time for us to call it a day when Abby's eyes glassed over and she was not responding to her name. She has become such a good skater that she was still going around the rink but she was SO TIRED!

I tried to take a picture of the girls after we got off the ice and they still had enough energy for this action shot...

so much fun!

I asked Abby at dinner if she still would be skating if I we didn't call her off. Her answer was a definite, YES!

Then best way to spread Christmas cheer is to sing loud so all can hear!

Joe, Remy, and Maya

On the evening of Thursday, December 4th Joe, Remy, and Maya came to town for a long weekend.

I had class on Thursday night but, once we all got home Maya and the girls helped with the Christmas tree.

Jim had to work on Friday and Abby had school but that didn't stop the rest of us from having a good time!

Tricycle riding...

 

 
 
 

 

 ...family walk around the neighborhood with Chewy...

They giggled for the ENTIRE walk!

...and once Abby got home... a craft.

Plus, what better way to end a Friday than with a movie, The Grinch.

On Saturday we went for a LONG hike at Red Rock Canyon's Calico Tanks (about 5 miles). The girls did great and it was a beautiful day for a hike!

On Saturday evening we had our neighbor friends over for homemade pizza. While the dough was rising the guys escaped to a local brewery and the girls, including our friend found themselves involved in another craft.

With some of us having early nights (Joe) and the rest of us having a late night we took it very slow and easy on Sunday morning. On Sunday evening we headed out to Winter Wonderland in downtown Las Vegas. Winter Wonderland was set-up by the Zappos company and it was very cool.

There was an outdoor movie. Santa's helper...

 ...a huge beautiful tree...

 ...a sledding hill...

(Remy and I couldn't resist taking a turn too!)

...and "ice skating."

 I said "ice skating" because it was not real ice. It was a plastic rink that was supposed to feel like ice BUT...it didn't! As you can see in the picture, Remy and I were on the "ice" in our boots. My girls were a bit disappointed but, it was still fun!

After "ice skating" we headed out to dinner and then home for dessert. I think for Maya the dessert was the best part of the evening!

After a dessert like that it was time for a bath...a cousin bath which as ADORABLE!

On Monday it was back to work and school for Jim and Abby and off to the park for the rest of us.

On Monday it was also time for Joe, Remy, and Maya to head back to Gig Harbor. We had a great a great visit and we can't wait until our next adventures together.