Our final Christmas in California was another to remember. The weather was warm, but we still had plenty of Christmas spirit to go around. And where else can you see a poinsettia tree?

We had a Christmas book coloring contest, and even tried building a snowman — which was a horrible fail.

The boys loved decorating and baking Christmas cookies in our new aprons from Nana and Papa!

We found a beautiful, behemoth live Christmas tree and … and other than a small near-disaster when the tree fell over … we successfully created a masterpiece! The prettiest tree we’ve decorated to date.

Our pint-sized elf friend Logo stayed with us this month and left the boys little messages with marshmallows and the occasional stocking stuffer in exchange for good behavior.

Max and Ethan were both really into their LEGO Advent calendar and the one that I put together with silly little holiday tchotchkes and candy.

Max and Ethan both wrote Santa wish lists and got to visit with Santa one night at Santa Monica Place. This was the second year Max didn’t cry and was actually really excited to see him.

During Christmas break we took the boys to see the new Star Wars…twice! They’ve been exposed to the Star Wars series since they were tiny, so the anticipation for Episode VII had been building for a long time.

Ethan, Max and the entire Saint Martin of Tours student body put on a beautiful Christmas program mid-December. The TK class took the cake with their tiny voices and innocent deer-in-the-headlights faces. The program ran so late that Max and his buddy Walker actually fell asleep next to their teacher toward the end of the evening.

(This was actually a much more reserved approach compared to last year when Max and Walker were the highlight of Christmas Eve mass as he and his brother from another mother took center stage and stole the show during the children’s nativity play.)

They were supposed to be manger donkeys, but instead they looked like WWE wrestlers. As embarrassing as it was, the audience loved it and I wish we would have taken video for posterity.)

The TK class also had a cute little holiday party and made their own “gingerbread” houses.

 

We had our friends Effie, Paul, Maggie and Ethan over for Christmas Eve brunch, attended mass and picked up birthday donuts from Krispy Kremes before heading to the new Santa Monica Place Cheesecake Factory (Ethan’s Choice) for a fun “Birthmas” dinner. Ethan said his “Mac ‘n Cheese Burger” was 7 out of 10 stars.

Then we came home and went to sleep…so much better than last year!!

(Last year in 2014, Ethan hardly slept a wink. He was so excited and worked up that Santa wouldn’t come since he wasn’t asleep, but luckily the jolly old elf still paid us a visit. Ethan actually heard the noise as his sleigh landed / took off from our rooftop!!! Such a magical night!)

The next morning we opened gifts (while it was still dark outside) …

and celebrated Ethan’s 9th year!!!

Then of course we visited family in Missouri! First the Moores…

…then the Stareks….

And then the Dankers!!!

And let’s not forget those crazy flood waters…








That was a long day for all of us!

A very special Christmas to remember…our final California Christmas!