ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS MY . . . FAMILY

Santa granted out first wish, clear roads all the way to California and back again. Santa granted our second wish and that was to be with our family for the week of Christmas. It was wonderful!

We know these blessings are not from Santa, they are from our Lord, Jesus Christ. We celebrate His birth on this Christmas season and are grateful for the abundance of blessings He has given us, especially for the love that our family shares.

There are several things that grandparents, parents and grandkids enjoyed together on this Christmas vacation. They are Jelly Bellys, sugar cookies, unwrapping gifts, presents, guitar hero and Santa and his helpers. The following Christmas blog is rather long; kick back with some cocoa and I hope you enjoy the pictures.

JELLY BELLY FACTORY, FAIRFIELD, CA

Chris and Kelly's family and Kevin went to the Jelly Belly Factory for a tour and Jelly Belly indulgence. Jim and I were unable to go. I babysat grandkids for Crystal and Jim handed out gift boxes and food at the Salvation Army for 8 hours. We'll have to catch the Jelly Bellies on another trip.

SUGAR COOKIES FOR SANTA, AND BEST OF ALL, FROSTING AND DECORATIONS

Kelly and the girls baked the cookies and made the frosting. Grandma Kathy went to the store and bought the decorations. We went to Crystal's house for the cookie decorating event. If there's something that all 3 generations love, it is SUGAR!

"Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring . . . yeah, right! The grandkids were buzzing like bees in a hive. "Hurry up Santa, we can hold up our heads for only so long."

The "green gang" got to giggling before getting to bed.

Mom helped the girls find where Santa was on Santa Tracker.com

Addy left a note and the most important cookies for Santa.

While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads. Owen and Dylan have the right idea.

UNWRAPPING GIFTS

Dylan wasn't too excited about unwrapping the gifts. Next year will be a different story.Grandpa Jim liked his "6 Sweeties" mousepad. It took Kevin a while to join in the unwrapping.

Payton unwrapped our gift to her, almost as big as her.

Sophia was a happy unwrapper and also the quickest unwrapper.

Kelly unwrapped a memory of home.

. . . AND SANTA GAVE TO ME A . . .

guitar hero

a digital camera

a nintendo DSpeddy ped shoes
vision night goggles

little people princess and carriage

piano

and a whole lot more

GUITAR HERO

The "look" of concentration, trying to keep up with the notes on the Wii guitar hero game.

These guys are SCARY!

Addy and Kelly "working it out" with the guitars.
Alex showed up Christmas day with a baseball cap and the "all American boy look". After one song on guitar hero, the baseball cap got turned around backwards and the "rocker boy look" took over.

SANTA AND HIS HELPERS

Hope your Christmas was a good one. May you have a very Happy New Year in 2009. Is it just me or does it seem like practically yesterday it was the year 2000? Time Flies!!

SNOW,OH NO

It is Dec. 19th, the day before we are supposed to leave for CA. If this is our backyard, then what does the mountain pass look like on I-5 . . . oh no. We need a BIG heat wave. I've been wearing long johns for a week.

We don't want to miss any fun times with these 6 sweeties.