We spent our first Christmas in our own home this year. Since our marriage, we've mostly alternated spending it at our parents' homes, so it seemed strange to be planning meals and events that will likely become our traditions. The boys had fun helping to decorate the tree, although we noticed that as they got tired, most ornaments seemed to end up clustered in one spot, near the bottom.



Dwayne's parents, sister, Shauna, and other sister, Janelle with husband, Keith, and new baby, Lily all came to visit for the the week surrounding Christmas Day. We all wanted to watch a BYU game on the 22nd, so (since we have no channels) we hauled stuff for an ice cream and game-watching party over to some friends' home where we were cat-sitting (with their prior permission, of course). I think it was Simon and Stuart's first experience with televised sports, and Simon was surprisingly interested. He liked the tackles the best.
Stuart was most interested in the ice cream, as was I.

We wanted to provide a true California Christmas, so planned a trip to the beach on Christmas Eve. Fortunately the weather cooperated (except for some serious wind) and we were able to enjoy lunch and exploration on the "Boathouse Beach," at Vandenberg Air Force Base. We were the only ones there and saw lots of pelicans, seals, shells and rocks.




On Christmas Eve we allowed the kids to open up a pair of pajamas and a book. I had made pajama pants for the boys and insisted that Lily wear a matching headband.Simon's reaction was so funny as he opened the pajama pants. He tore back the paper and exclaimed sincerely, "Fabric! Just what I always wanted!" having seen the material at my sewing table earlier in the week. We had to convince him to examine a little more closely to see that the fabric was now in a wearable state.


As we read the nativity story from Luke 2, Simon randomly decided to try on some of the stockings and walk around the room in them.

Soon after all of our guests left, Stuart transitioned into Simon's old toddler bed, as we had set up the bottom of a new set of bunk beds for Simon. This was one of Stuart's first nights "in" his new bed. He's done very well since, however, and our only regret is that he's free to come visit us in bed as early as he wants in the morning.

A friend lent Simon this Buzz Lightyear costume which gave us lots of laughs over several days.

Simon celebrated his 4th birthday on January 12th. It's hard to believe we've been parents for that many years--it's definitely gone by very quickly! He wanted a Lightning McQueen cake, a pan for which a friend fortunately had. Dwayne showed off one of his many artistic/domestic skills in frosting it. A couple families came over for homemade pizza for lunch (Simon's special pizza topping combo was pesto, black olives, and sausage). Later in the afternoon, Dwayne had arranged a visit for Simon and a friend (and the friend's dad) to the local firestation. They had a great time!