December

Christmas was beyond fun, making memories, and enjoying every last minute. Our "elf on the shelf", Elfis made his appearances each morning in a new spot, and the kids couldn't wait to find him. Skyler woke up every morning saying "elfie? elfie?" They took turns pulling a Christmas activity note out of our advent calendar every morning. We went to see the Christmas program at our church, went to a party at a neighbor's house where Santa made a surprise visit, saw "Snoopy On Ice" with Oma and Opa, read lots of Christmasy books and watched lots of Christmasy movies. Hunter had his own Christmas program with his preschool where he sang songs, bounced in a bounce house and danced with Jade (his girlfriend that week ;)

We made Christmas cookies, they both had a blast helping make the cookies, but the best part, of course, was the sprinkles! 

One day we made a Gingerbread house with Oma  and Grandma Converse.

I turned the big 30 this year. I spent the weekend shopping with my mom and got a lot of new clothes to start out my new decade. It was exactly what I needed and wanted; some ME time :) Along with some beautiful flowers and shopping money I got a special new Christmas decoration to put on the dinner table every December, a Christmas pyramid that spins by candle light. So cool, and the kids were mesmerized. 

Love this year's photo with Santa!

Christmas Eve was just as fun as always at Grandma MaryLou's. Santa stopped by with some gifts, white elephant gift exchange, yummy food, and quality time with the Ehrlich clan. Not to mention the dozens of presents from the whole generous group.

Christmas morning... So many presents, so much mess, so much to be thankful for!

before...

and after...

                 

Hunter and his new Christmas Train from Santa...

Skyler and her new kitchen from Santa...

Stockings.. Hunter had spent most of December on the naughty list. Santa must have decided he was nice enough to bring him presents under the tree, but only coal and a toothbrush in his stocking. Hunter didn't care in the slightest. :)

Nana, Tom, and Grandpa Pierce all came over for breakfast and presents. Skyler got the most special gift of all; a pair of diamond earrings made from Vicki's Mom's ring that she will receive when she is older. 

Later that morning at Oma and Opa's house... presents, presents, and more presents...

Christmas Night at Grandma Converse's we finally got a picture of her with all of her great-grandbabies.

These are the two new members to the family, Max and London. The love we all have for these babies made this Christmas truly special even though it was the first we had to spend without their dear Uncle Jake. The cousins, as we sat around the "kids table" shared a toast to him and wish more than anything he could have been there to hug us all and hold his sweet new niece and nephew. A special Merry Christmas up in heaven to Jake and Paka, we know you are watching down on us.

To end the year, we took the kids to downtown Temecula and went Ice Skating. It was the first time for both the kids and they LOVED it. Skyler got to ride on a giant seal and Hunter stayed on his feet almost the whole time. We made it home just before New York's countdown and rang in the new year banging on pots and pans in the living room. What a blessed year we have had and now looking forward to what 2014 has in store.. :)

(Family pic 2013- photography by Uncle Andrew of course :)