Hike + Museum

We're enjoying our week between Christmas and New Year's. Playing with toys, new art stuff, and video games. New movies, staying up too late watching The Crown, and (trying to) sleep in. Audrey still has soccer practice, and Tyler just started winter basketball. I think we've eaten all the leftovers. Went running as a family, played with a few friends, and kickball at the park. I saw The Greatest Showman with girlfriends and it was sooo good. Yesterday we ventured out and hiked Vasquez Rocks. It was 70s and beautiful, and nice to be out.

Today we had nothing to do, so headed to the California Science Center. A few years ago we went and saw the space shuttle, this time we explored other areas we hadn't seen. Learned all about bodies, ecosystems, earthquakes, the science of toys, air and space. Love how hands on it is.

Studying termites:

On the news!

Came home to pizza and movie night because who wants to cook?!

Christmas Day

Didn't take a ton of pictures. It was just the five of us, and very nice. Slept 'til 7am and ran to the Christmas Tree with piles of presents from Santa and family. Cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Trader Joe's easy food all day - lots of cheese and crackers. Cherry cobbler. FaceTimed with family. Played with toys all day long. Big kids put all theirs together for maybe the first time ever! Watched Wonder Woman and Lego Ninjago movie and napped. It was a great day.

The few photos I got:

We all wonder how she fits in her bed!

Merry Christmas to all.

Merry Christmas Eve

Starting Christmas Eve with church was great. Wonderful message and music. Kids sang with the primary - Tyler probably for the last time!

We decided on a "fancier" Christmas Eve dinner, and lazier Christmas Day food. It was nice to cook today while we listened to Christmas music, then watched A Christmas Story. This summer in Williamsburg I knew I wanted to do Welsh Rarebit for Christmas. It turned out great (even if I did make it more for myself than for anyone else!) We set a nice table with candles, sparkling cider. Dinner was the Welsh Rarebit with crusty bread, ham, pineapple, broccoli, and seasoned carrots from Trader Joe's. It was really a lovely family dinner - just the five of us (though I'm missing far away family a little today.) The ham was amazing and we'll have leftovers for days.

Then we grabbed a tin of sugar cookies from Frankie's family, and headed to the temple lights.

Kids were soooo excited when we got home. They got in pjs, set out cookies for Santa, opened one small gift from us. We watched a church nativity video, then straight to bed. We are ready for tomorrow! So grateful for holidays with this family.

Today We...

Cleaned the church:

Always followed by donuts.

Audrey at a fun birthday party with cute friends:

Cole and Jake playdate!

Café Rio and Wakefield Winter Wonderland have become a tradition with the Bartys. Maybe this is our third year in a row? This year we got the Moffats to tag along. So much fun with friends we've known for years - all in the Studio City Ward together.

More Week Off

Busted out Grandpa Faust's trains. Always a big hit and keeps kids busy for quite some time. One day I'll have a train board under the tree if Adam makes it for me ;). This year the tree is already full underneath with presents!

Games by the tree! Our home teacher brought Connect Four and they've been playing all week.

Hike with friends. Love where we live, that hikes are so close and easy. Good to get some fresh air and exercise.

Super cool Cole:

Made some holiday treats:

Love these cute girls. Activity Days caroling to friends, and hot chocolate afterward. It is freezing here now!