VIVA Las Vegas!

Vegas isnt a place I think of when decideing on where to take my children/family for a little fun. And, although our little getaway to "Sin City" was fun, it was for "Croy Business" purposes. The SMC Gaels hosted Mississippi State at The Orleans for a neutrally played preseason contest. Being that we were in So Cal for the Holidays, my parents drove the kids and I over to support the Gaels! My brother and his family joined us and we had many laughs while together....

A few memories from the trip:

A lllloooooooooonnnnnggg walk to have dinner, only to find out this place was 21 and older! In Vegas?!?! Whatever!

Pirate show at Treasure Island.....Rated PG-13, borderline R. Our kids eyes were the sizes of saucers as they watched the "Wenches" take on the "Pirates".

Trevor doing laps in the hallway in his little walker

Last morning there....my moms car wont start, only to find out she needed a tow and new tire, delaying our departure 4 hours!

And.....the Gaels WIN!!!!!

A day at the museum

A few days after Christmas, we joined the whole "Shine" Clan for a day at the LA Museum of Natural History. We had such a good time and the kids were adorable. We packed a lunch and enjoyed a day spent together. I appreciated the time together, as we arent together as a whole group since we relocated to Nor Cal. I especially enjoyed watching my childrens faces as they learned something new or quizzingly asked a question about something they didnt recognize.

We were good this year!

Just like many houses during the month of December, ours was filled with questions as to whether we had been "naughty or nice" this year, and whether good 'ole St. Nick would be making an appearance on Christmas morning. We havent purchased the "Elf on the Shelf" but I hear that worked wonders in keeping children on their best behavior during the Holiday season.We chose to just threaten our children into being "good"! hahaha...Well, only half kidding. When the kids woke up Christmas morning and saw that Santa did bring what they asked for, they looked at one another and said sounding very relieved..."We were good this year!" And so the fun began....

Here are a few shots of their fave presents!

I LOVE Christmas with my family!!!!

Merry Christmas to all.....

All "dolled" up!

My sweet little girl discovered Nonnie's jewelry chest, full of treasures....Check that necklace out.- Straight from the 80's. I wish I could have taken a picture of the half dollar sized clip on red earrings with a large gold/bronzy emblem glued in the middle.

My mom worked it in the 80's and the legend will forever live on for Kayden and Sofi to enjoy!

Christmas Eve Traditions

My Grandma who is 92, despite looking 20 yrs younger than that, prepares and organizes a spectacular Christmas Eve. She feeds us AND entertains us with games. I grew up with games on Christmas Eve and now my kiddos get to experience the fun. We started off with a friendly game of bowling, down my Grandmas hallway nonetheless...

Then we "Fish" for presents. The kids get a kick out of this as they find a way to peak behind the curtain and they practically tackle each other when the gift is pulled to shore.

My Grandma awarded each Great Grand child with a certificate and an individual honor, representing their attitude and spirit throughout the nights competition.

Before the "real" present opening began, the kids changed into matching PJ's, thanks to Grampy and Nonnie! Even baby Trevor matched!

During the "real" present opening, my Grandma created a rhyme for each great grandchild to read and then hunt for their present. Above is JRobs clue.

Isnt my Grandma amazing?!?!

Thanks for another amazing Christmas Eve Grandma!

"Dont watch me Mommy"

JRob doesnt care too much about performing - he will get up there but dont count on much. This picture just about sums it up, although its hard to see in a still photo just how much he is concentrating on NOT moving, or performing for that matter, while the kids that surround him (and pretty much every other kid in the class) smiles, sings, dances and claps to the songs of Jesus' birth. Including a childhood favorite "Happy Birthday Jesus"!

He avoids all eye contact with me and occasionally when I catch his gaze, he will mumble to me "Dont watch me Mommy"!

Rick and I wonder how he will be when he is playing bball in front of a packed McKeon Pavilion in about 15 years and he is shooting a freethrow with no time on the clock to win the game and ALL EYES ARE ON HIM!!!

Only time will tell.....

Decorating Gingerbread Cookies

I feel so fortunate to be able to be involved in all the fun activities Kayden takes part in while in Kindergarten. To tie in with their performance, the kids decorated their own Gingerbread cookie, loading it with lots of icing and as much candy as could fit on these things, only to go on a scavenger hunt the following day to find their Gingerbread Men. It was a fun way to celebrate a special time of year and although the public schools dont focus on the true meaning of Christmas, in the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, I love the spirit behind this time of year and enjoyed sharing these times with Kayden.

One Sweet Gingerbread (Wo) Man ;)

Kaydens Kindergarten class, along with the other class, put on a Gingerbread Performance for parents, family and friends a few days before Christmas Break. It was an adorable musical, in which each child played an important role. Some were children, others a fox, and some even trees. Kayden and a few others were chosen to be the Gingerbread men and they were so adorable. I dont know where my child got this natural ability to perform in front a large group of people but Kayden unofficially led her fellow Gingerbread men thru the performance up and around the stairs each time someone or something tried to "get them".

By the looks of these photos, who wouldnt want to eat this sweet thing!!!!!!

Our STAR!

(...And JRob less than thrilled at another family phot0)

First sighting of Santa!

You may remember a post about a Halloween party at the tennis club these two cousins Grammie works at - Valley Vista...Well, they did the same thing in December, with a special visit from Santa. The kids sat anxiously in hopes of his arrival and much to my surprise, eagerly awaited to sit on his lap to tell him what they wanted him to bring them this year.

Smiles on both of them! Yay!