Christmas Day with the Kudrons

On Christmas afternoon we headed over to Mike and Nancy for yet another huge meal and family time. We let the girls bring their new scooters because we knew Katie had one too. The three of them had fun riding up and down the street.

It just isn't Christmas until someone cries! Lol! Apparently Katie got to the corner faster on her scooter and this made Ryan very, very sad. Hmmm- a little competitive nature? Where did she get that gene?

Charlie still needs a little help on the scooter AND she insisted on wearing one of Katie's helmets to be safe. Good girl Charlie.

Nonna watching the scooter races with baby Cameron.

Ryan is over being so sad and is arm in arm with cousin Katie again.

Thanks Mike and Nancy for having us. Everything was fantastic!

Grace Family Slumber Party

Liz, Steve, and Jeff joined us on Christmas Eve. We had a very festive afternoon, a yummy dinner (that the non-chef in me is very proud of), and some late night "manly" time in the garage doing the types of things that men do in the garage on Christmas Eve (this includes hunting for the right tools but settling for ones that could be found, cussing a little, and essentially "forgetting" to include some unnecessary parts to all pink and purple list of "to dos"). Then the whole gang had a slumber party so that they could all watch the little munchkins wake up in the morning to see their loot.

Gigi took the lead in reading the annual "Twas the Night Before Christmas" story.
Christmas morning was chaotic but wonderful. Marzie drove down to join us with fresh, hot baked danishes in hand. Yum-my! Unfortunately, I was too busy stuffing my face didn't get many pictures of the festivities.

Here, daddy is opening his stocking. Mommy tried to tell Santa exactly the kinds of things he would want like spa appointments, and Creative Cakery mini cakes, and a much needed umbrella. Steve returned the favor by telling Santa that what mommy really wanted was an apple, an orange, and a diet Squirt. Hmmmm??? Go figure.

Ryan taking her new scooter for a spin.

Gigi taking Charlie for a spin on her new scooter.
P.S. I told Charlie to smile for this picture and this is what I got! We are really in for it with this child. Whoo, she's a doozy!

I guess I was just having too much fun to take pictures. I'm sad that I didn't get more. We had a really fun time.

First Annual "Casual Christmas at the Houghtons"

Last night, we took the girls up to Pasadena to ring in the season with a little holiday cheer. (Well, actually a lot of holiday cheer for mommy, if you know what I mean) What started out to be a night of quick hellos at each of the family's homes to drop off Christmas presents turned into one big party at Jim and Casey's house. We had so much fun (I had a little too much fun) that we decided to make this an annual festivity! We all dressed in our sweats, the girls in their jammies, and ordered in pizza... it could not have been more perfect!

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First we mingled...

Then we ate pizza...
(Notice that Casey brought out the nice Spode Christmas dishes for our "Casual Christmas" and even trusted the toddlers to use them. Mind you that these are the same toddlers that wrote all over the walls the last time they visited. Lots of trust and love in the Houghton household, I'd say!)

Then we watched Santa drive by in the fire engine...

Then we exchanged some gifts...
(The princess castle doll house was the hit of the evening!)

And, finally we ended with a family picture...

We are already looking forward to next year!

Star of the Week

In addition to all the craziness of Christmas, Ryan was also chosen as the star of the week recently! This is a very special time for every child in the class and a little hectic on the moms. As the parent (aka Mom) of the "Star of the Week" you have to put together a poster of pictures from your child's life, fill in a poem about your child's personality, decorate a bag, and let your child fill it with all her favorite things. Doesn't sound so bad until you then have to bring it back to school in the pouring rain! Haha! Here are a couple of pictures of my "star's" poster!

Teddy Bear School Christmas Show

Ryan's preschool had their annual Christmas show on Friday. Ryan was so cute and animated during all the songs. Can you find her in the picture below?

Here is Ryan with her friend Azia!

A picture with our singing star!

A Getaway for Mommy and Daddy

Earlier this month, Steve and I went to San Francisco for a little "grown up" time! You certainly can't see all of San Francisco in one weekend, so we'll certainly go back... but we did do lots of "touristy" things while we were there!

Our hotel was across the street from the Yerba Buena Gardens. This waterfall was one of the many, many beautiful views that we had from our room.

Alcatraz was one of the highlights of the weekend.

The prison was really interesting. Steve especially loved the narrated tour using the headphones.

What he didn't like is his wife trying to be the ultimate tourist. All the "Take my picture honey!" comments really drove him crazy.

Here's another one of those tourist pictures. But the funny thing here is that I thought this was a unique diner that had my name... Turns out, they are as common as Denny's up there. Oh well, I still don't get to see my name often like this.

Here is the happy couple enjoying a walk in the park. Ahhhhh!

My... how they've grown...

Our little princesses are growing up so fast it seems. Here are the pictures that we have used in the last three years on our Christmas cards. I can't believe they are getting so big.


Merry Christmas Everyone!!

Christmas Gifts Come Early!!

The girls LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to get things in the mail. In the last week or so, they have gotten two great packages. First, Aunt Ginny and Uncle Tim sent them two wonderful Christmas books. The pop up book in the pictures below has been a favorite new bedtime book. Does anyone know how long it takes to read "The 12 Days of Christmas" in pop up style to toddlers??? Well... let's just say the bedtime story time has been starting much, much earlier lately. Haha... they love every minute of it (I'm loving it too, I had forgotten most of the words). Thanks Ginny and Tim!

And then, Aunt Casey and Uncle Jim "Bubba" sent the girls musical instruments! Steve and I can not thank themenough for this wonderfully loud pastime. We will be sure to send ALL the instruments with them the next time they come to your house so that you can see (and hear) how much they enjoy them! Haha! I'm getting a kick out of it because the girls and I each pick an instrument and play them for daddy until he can't take it anymore. We love to push his buttons. That's what he gets for being the only boy in a house of all girls!!
Thanks Casey and Jim!


And then finally... the best part of all was playing with the "snow" in our living room.

Ryan made a snow angel...

And Charlie tried to make one too...
(not quite yet little one)

Thank you Aunt Ginny, Uncle Tim, Aunt Casey, and Bubba! You guys are too good to our girls. It was a wonderful surprise and they are loving every minute of it. xoxo
P.S. I hope you are able to post now, I'm now sure what happened last time. Let me know if you can't again.