GU11 Holiday Party

 Tonight, we hosted our traditional Holiday Cookie/Ornament Exchange.  This year we are hosting the GU11 team and the Schreck's are hosting the GU13 team.  There was no shortage of hot cocoa, candy canes, cookies and popcorn!

 Each player brought 19 cookies on a platter to share with the team.

 They gathered around the family room to watch Elf, only the best Christmas movie ever!

 They ate lots of goodies

 and recited nearly every line of the movie.

 Then it was time to make their individual cookie plates

and do the ornament exchange.  It was a fun night off of the soccer field and a great way to begin our Christmas break.

Room Makeover

All Taylor asked for for her 13th birthday was a room makeover.  She had the baby blue walls and beach theme for several years, but it was time to update it with a teenage room.

She knew she wanted turquoise and black from the start and we pieced things together every time we went to HomeGoods, Target or Hobby Lobby.  We spent one night painting and then the last week or two putting everything back together in between all of the other activities.

She loved this cute frame/hook and we added some championship photos along with all of the medals she has earned.

 We still need to paint the wooden crate that she wanted to use as her new bedside table, but she loves having her bed on the opposite wall as before.

She kept her desk space the same and loves having all of her shelf space for scrapbooks, yearbooks, etc.

Matt took the top off of the maple-finished dresser/hutch Taylor has had since she was born and refinished just the dresser to be white with black knobs, as requested.

She added some shelves and knick knacks above the dresser and a cute bulletin board to finish off the wall.

The black bean bag chair was the finishing touch and Taylor now has the teenage, clutter-free room she was looking for!!

White Elephant #4

 Another successful White Elephant Party is in the books. We started off with a delicious International dinner...lumpia, adobo, sushi, edamame, Italian sausage, enchiladas, etc.

 The kids were very antsy to get the gift exchange started.

 We had some pretty funny ones along the way.

 Taylor unwrapped this lovely hamburger bank, which was stolen by me and then frozen by Leslie.

 Reanna unwrapped the soccer girl nutcracker, which was stolen by Mary and was eventually frozen by Allison.

 Allison stole the Cookie Monster Snuggie from Hank, but Emily ended up taking it home.

 Michael loved his Obama button

 and Charlie can't wait to take his One Direction calendar to work.

 Lauren loves her phone receiver that plugs into her iPhone

 and Taylor will love making hot dogs to put in her hot dog slicer. It even holds ketchup or mustard in the little green bowl.

 Dominic unwrapped the finger mustaches but desperately wanted the velcro dart board so I was kind enough to oblige.

 Candy Land bandaids and some lip gloss for May

 and Tyan is eager to have his school friends try the Corn Dog, Nacho Cheese and Dill Pickle mints.

 Some sexy boxers for Lisa (just her size)

and an egg shaker and Xmas kleenex for Matt.  I didn't get a picture of Hank's gnarly teeth set, but all and all, a great group of gifts and the tradition continues...

Joey Turns 1!

Our sweet little Joey is already turning 1!  How can it be?

We helped his family celebrate with a Sesame Street party at their house.
The big kids played on the trampoline and bounce house/slide while Joey was passed around.

We all sang

and then watched him go to town on his personal "smasher" cake.  He was hesitant at first and then went all out.

He loved it, but wasn't really fond of the mess on his hands.  He cleaned up in time to open presents and stayed happy all the way to nap time.  It will be fun to see him start walking and talking this next year and the team can't wait to have him as our mascot again!

Here Comes Santa Claus

 The list has changed a few times, but was finally complete and ready to deliver to Santa (not the real Santa, but the one in Old Town who makes sure the REAL SANTA) gets it at the North Pole in time for Christmas.

We have been going to the same Santa for 9 years now and he remembers Allison every time we arrive.

Fast forward to 2012

Santa reviewed the letter, ensured Allison is on the Good List and promised to get the letter to the North Pole.  She asked him what kind of cookie he likes best and they agreed that our Peanut Butter Blossoms will work out just fine :)

Holiday Parade

 We braved the crowds and the cold for our annual trip to the Old Town Holiday Parade.  We dined on In N Out while waiting for it to start.

The police motorcade always kicks off the parade with lights and sirens.

 There were marching bands,

 a school bus full of pre-school kids, lot of scouts and sports clubs,

 the Temecula trolley, karate demonstrations, fire trucks and

 of course, ends with a visit from Santa!

 We finished off our night with a little dessert at Richie's Diner

and are excited for the next few weeks of holiday festivities!