Christmas 2013

For Christmas we traveled to CA to be with the CA Van Buskirk's and Zollinger's.  It was such a fun trip.  It is so fun to get together with these cousins because they are all so close in age and really love to be together.  Everyone has someone to play with.

 

On the road:

 Alexa and McKenna running for the bathroom.  Actually Alexa was running away from me because I wanted a picture of her wearing my boots with her basketball shorts.

 We stopped in Blythe!  Yes, I said Blythe!  for lunch.  Carl's Jr. and Green Burrito always seems to work since we have some that like Mexican food and others that like big giant hamburgers (I'm not talking about Tim, I'm talking about Olivia.)  McKenna decided she wanted a bean burrito.  The entire time she was eating, she kept saying how GOOD her burrito was.  And how it was the best burrito she's ever eaten.  It was pretty dramatic how much she loved it so I had to capture the moment. 

 Trying to take a family picture after church.  It takes a while to get a good one with all these goofballs. 

 No words!

 One of Maya's favorite activities:  Taking selfies on the iPad.

 We also took some time to do family pictures with the whole clan.

These girls were just too pretty - I had to take these.

 After the picture taking, there was some serious, rock band being played.  Also, Aunt Tara showed the girls how to make her grandma's famous gingerbread cookies.  I learned so good tips about how to make those.  I just hope I remember for the next time I make them.

 Again, No words!

 Alexa was trying to complete a Personal Progress project while we were in CA and she had the time off of basketball.  For her project she decided to do a little basketball training for Olivia.  We all went over to the park in Chino and enjoyed the perfect CA weather.

 Lucky for these girls there was a HUGE dance happening.  They got all dressed up to go.  I had to laugh that Kirra with the curly hair had to straighten hers, and Alexa with the straight hair had to curl it.  Either way they style their hair, they are both darling.

 We also decided to take the kiddos roller skating and then the adults were going to go out to dinner afterwards.  Can this girl get any cuter?  Love that face.

 I can't remember why Liam wasn't happy but I had to take his picture - which I don't think made him any happier.

 

 Alexa is in the stripes and the boy to her right is in Tim's parents ward.  We found out that afternoon the she had invited him to come.  So he showed up to skate with her while all her aunts, uncles, and cousins looked on.  Pretty brave for both of them.

Olivia

Christmas morning.  Olivia got a phone from Santa.  I wish she would have acted a LITTLE more excited.  She also got a note from Santa telling her that he told her parents that he was giving her the phone knowing that she was going to pay the $10 monthly charge for it.  She didn't mind that at all.

Alexa got a Kindle. 

 Maya got legos - first time ever having them in our house.

 She doesn't look as excited as she is.

 It wouldn't be Christmas if Tim didn't get Red Sox gear.

 Some of the gifts that were being given didn't get to us in time so we had a few notes to let everyone know what they were getting.  A little frustrating but it all worked out.

 This gift was voted the best gift of the year.  Uncle Andrew Bosley did some work for The Friend magazine and for one of his drawings he used a picture of Maya for inspiration.  The Bosley's gave her a framed copy of her very own.  She LOVED it. 

 I loved the wrapping that Tim put into this gift more than the gift.

 When all the cousins showed up we did a gift exchange with them.  A new tradition that was started a few years back was to exchange names and the rule is you have to find something at the dollar store for the person you are giving to.  Before we come, our family takes a family night and goes to the Dollar Store for everyone to pick out there gifts.  I love watching them be so thoughtful as they pick out their gifts.  Sometimes they are so funny.

 Alexa got this beautiful wig.

 I think Caleb was thrilled for his mustaches.

 We also did a talent show.  This was the second one.  I was so busy watching this year that I didn't take any videos of everyone.  A few days before Christmas, Maya and I found a little Christmas skit on line.  So we printed it out and I told the kids to go read it and figure out what they were going to do.  They did a great job putting it together.  They love to dress up in the clothes from Abuela's dress up box.  I love that even the teenagers weren't too "cool" to join in.  They even sang a Christmas hymn at the end.

 Liam was the angel.  He was my favorite part.

 Maya and Olivia did the dance from White Christmas called "Sisters".  Appropriate for them.  Unfortunately, Olivia got embarrassed and wouldn't finish the song.  They had it memorized perfectly.

Can't wait for next time.

Oh!  One last thing I need to mention.  I didn't get a picture, but we got to spend the evening with some good friends, The Howe's.  Jeff was friends with Tim all through their childhood and teenage years and Mandi and I have been friends since we were 11 years old.  It was so fun to catch up with them.  You know they are good friends when you can just pick up where you left off.