Starting off the Christmas School vacation, the girls did some amazing surprise gift exchanges with friends. Loved that they all planned it out and were so thoughtful and appreciative of their friends. Kaylee's gift was money toward a phone case which it so happened that Mommy and Daddy had already purchased. She was happy to have gotten it that day! Thank you Reagan. All the girls and Mommy were then on vacation and Daddy was working through ending his 13 yr. long career with friends and co-workers at CraneMorley. We all celebrated with a family dinner at Tokyo Hibachi!
The girls have gotten into making fun videos with Cap Cut, and put their talents to use with plenty of videos during their sleepover with Clara and Francesca. The girls all enjoyed touching fire, walking around on the roof, of course trampoline time, they created a gymnastics holiday show since the gym did not get to do one this year, and they took the dogs for a walk in the rain!
We got some unfortunate news that Poppa was going to have to spend Christmas in the hospital due to an allergic reaction. Luckily he is a very intuitive and smart guy and was able to call for help since he was home alone. The Marty's were able to visit with him and keep him sane for the few days he had to stay until he was fine to go back home. Daddy would go to visit the following week to hang out for a bit and make sure all is good. He is doing great now and back to his Poppa self. He just needs to be careful what he eats and hopefully we can find out what the problem was that caused the reaction!
The days leading up to Christmas we had fun playing games together, making our Christmas card, doing stunts in the kitchen and finished up the last of our advent calendars.
We stuck with our Christmas tradition morning where the girls come downstairs into our bed and we all cuddle and watch a movie, even the puppies. It was a little more crowded this year with the addition of Roaklee. Then we came out to open gifts and appreciate all that we have and can give. Then the Ferrario's took us in as family where we had more food, exchanged gifts, played pickle ball, and enjoyed the time together. Lastly we had a delicious dinner at the Snow's next door including a Peppermint cake for desert. We finished the day as we started, together watching a movie.
We spent much of the following days looking for new beds for the girls which was their big Christmas gift. We went to IKEA and thought we figured it out, only they were out of stock forever. Then Living Spaces, and back to IKEA. No luck and we were done looking, so we went to Mama's for date night and figured we take a different approach and look more online even if it would take a little longer and Kaylee wouldn't have it in time for her sleepover with Adi the following night. The girls along with Adi went to hangout at the park with the Marshall's after the sleepover. We also eventually found their full size bed frames, mattresses, and sheets during the week as we also prepared to head to Big Bear for New Years.
Luckily the Marshall's and Snow's helped take care of the puppies while we were away. We let them have most of the house to be safe and comfortable and they only got into a little mischief while we were gone for the weekend since the dogs apparently like coffee and can open pantry doors. The night before we left it was pouring rain in Long Beach and we seriously considered not braving the roads to Big Bear, but as it turned out the roads had no ice, and not even chains were required. No traffic either. There was however, plenty of snow on the ground for sledding and snow ball fights. It was great to get to spend New Year with the Sklenicka's again. We made a huge Prime rib, watched movies, took trips to the park for sledding and playtime. We also played bocce ball in the dark. Mommy, Daddy, and the girls all slept downstairs with the fire going. We left the next day after a relaxing morning and one last snowball fight. The trip down the mountain was thankfully just as easy.
An early birthday gift for Cienna from Kaylee had come in the mail. Her gymnastics bag was broken, so Kaylee wanted to get her a new one. While Daddy was at Poppa's the last week of Mommy's vacation and the girls first week back at school, the beds were delivered so we put them together. Not all the parts came at once, but there was enough at first to make Kaylee's, then Cienna's the next day. When Daddy got home we all designed floating shelves for their nightstands and built them together after getting the supplies we needed. We also finished fixing all the springs on the trampoline and put up the new net so they don't fall through!
The next weekend the girls had their first gymnastics competition of the season in Pasadena. Grammy wrote an inspiring note to all the gymnasts and a couple of the seniors read it out loud at practice the night before. The meet went great, they were proud of themselves and had fun!
Kaylee lost her very last baby tooth at school the following week, and we were able to meet up with the Natal's again at Downtown Disney for dinner. Cienna finally figured out a fun Birthday Party idea so we made the evite for a week after her Birthday since we'll be at their second competition in Anaheim her birthday weekend and we wanted to give a little heads up to her guests.
What a wonderful holiday break to spend together and with so many friends. We are truly grateful for all those that we have to care about and that care about us!
Plenty of photos to document this last month.

