The Christmas Season

 We have had a fun Christmas season! The Ward party and the visit from St Nick was a success, and there have been donuts, hot chocolate and cozy evenings at home while it rained outside.

 It finally rained!!! Days and days of rain make it feel more like Christmas.

Thanksgiving in Utah

We drove 6 hours to my grandparents winter home to meet my brother and his family for Thanksgiving. We had a delicious dinner and a fun couple of days together. The cousins loved playing together, and enjoyed the children's museum we visited.

Stephen loved the room set up like a car garage, and Mary loved the music room. She tried to play the drum with her foot!

The kids had  a lot of fun together and we had a great Thanksgiving!

Family Fun

We had a nice afternoon going to a really fun park, and then to get ice cream at a drug store. Mary especially loved her treat!

Busy workers!

We have some busy little workers when it comes to yard work. Even Mary likes to help out! Stephen is always running errands and helping daddy.

Day Trip

A few weeks back when Jane had a day off from school, we rode the Metro Train into LA and visited the California Science center to see the space shuttle Endeavor. We haven't been to this center since Jane was little and were surprised with how much it had changed. Not only is the enormous space shuttle there, but there were also a lot of hands on things for the kids to explore.

Mary LOVED the train ride into LA, as did Stephen and Jane. It's fun to get out once in a while and see the big city we are a part of. So many different people!

The kids loved all of the children's exhibits.

What a grand sight the Endeavor was!

Rose Mansion Reception

Only 2 more months until the Pasadena Rose Parade comes through, in celebration of the new year. Because our neighborhood is very close to the parade and we are affected by street closures, noise (inconvenience!) etc, we receive a few perks: Tickets to the float viewing, parking permits, and every 4 years, an invitation to the Rose Mansion for a tour and hor dourves! As this is our 4th year here, this was our first year attending.

The rose garden was beautiful and the food was delicious!

Jane, Mary and I posed with the Rose princesses. A very nice group of young ladies.