We began the holiday season with our annual visit to Santa at Shadowridge's Brunch with Santa. The girls were willing to talk to Santa after a while, but neither wanted to sit on his lap. They both loved the candy canes and presents though! We also toured the holiday lights in Clairemont Mesa. Dinner with friends, looking at all of the lights, and hot chocolate made for a fabulous start to the Christmas!
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| The kids are almost old enough to sit at their own table! |
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| Taking over Boudins |
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| Howe snowbabies! |
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| Jackson and Ella building their holiday traditions |
We celebrated Christmas in Palm Springs this year with the larger Howe family. We stayed in a gorgeous house on a golf course in La Quinta. The four Howe grandkids had a great time together. Madi thinks Emery is sooo adorable (and she is) and both of my girls drove Graham crazy forcing him to share his Hot Wheels with them.
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| Madi, Ella, Emery |
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| Graham trying to protect his track from the girls |
On our first full day on vacation, Matt went golfing with Grandpa Dave. They had a great time and Matt tried not to beat Dave too badly. While Matt was golfing, the girls and I hit the grocery store and settled into the house for some relaxing. We met Dave and Matt for lunch at the La Quinta golf club, which Ella slept through most of in the backpack. The following day, Cat and I headed back to the La Quinta resort for a spa day. We both had lovely massages, sat in the hot tub and sauna, and enjoyed a quiet lunch with a glass of wine. What a perfect beginning to our trip!
The rest of the week was filled with Bloody Mary's, playing in and out of the house, making sugar cookies and a journey to the Living Desert (thanks Heather for coming with us). Matt and I both managed to get some work done in the mornings while our girls were devouring breakfast and cartoons. We also took the girls to Cheeky's for a fabulous breakfast, at which Madeline ordered a bowl of milk to go with the cheerios she brought with her from home! The kids loved the jacuzzi and we "swam" most afternoons.
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| Heather came to help with cookie decorating. The extra grown up hands were super needed! |
Christmas Day we had a great brunch with the extended family. The kids opened their stockings and Santa presents when they woke up. Madi was so excited that Santa had eaten her cookies! Ella and Madi both received their own Kindles and have spent large numbers of hours since Christmas watching separate shows or playing very loud games next to each other on the couch! Present opening was a hilarious event that involved flying wrapping paper and Ella wanting to open any present she saw. Madeline did a great job helping pass out gifts, but her little face was so sad when she saw we were down to the last present. The kids spent the afternoon playing with their new toys and enjoying their cousin time.
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| When you get a tent for Christmas . . . . |
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| Stocking time! |
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| Howe girls |
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| The best we got with all four kiddos |
When we arrived home on Saturday, the girls had presents from Auntie Wendi to open before we got down to the serious business of cleaning out the playroom to make space for their new toys. I was super impressed with how well the girls did with boxing up toys and books that they don't use anymore to bring to Baby EJ.
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| This is my new favorite activity! |
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| Twinsies |
After the girls and I spent a few days together running errands, meeting friends, and just hanging out, Madeline and Eleanor spent the night at Grandma T's for New Year's Eve. Matt and I went to see Star Wars and I was asleep by 10. On New Year's Day, we headed to Grandma T and GrandKarl's for Christmas in the OC. Abu came over and the girls went to town opening presents while trying to keep Bella from eating wrapping paper and ribbons all morning. I think that both Madi and Ella were most excited by the Mermaid Tail Blankets that Abu made for them. I am so jealous that I don't have one in my size!
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| In case anyone is curious what holiday exhaustion looks like . . . we need a bigger bed |
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| Madi helping Dad stretch |
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| Nighttime snacking |
Overall, we had a fabulous holiday season and I know Matt and I are both amazed by how much fun Christmas is when you have kids who are so enthusiastic about every part of the holiday!
