Christmas

This first photo is of our wonderful friends who love meat.  We love to go out with them to eat meat.  See Kim? She is happiest when she has meat in her hands.  Specifically ribs.  She wanted me to take a photo of her eating meat, so I did.  Merry Christmas to Kim (and Ben).

Before Christmas came and went we were all prepared.  One of our favorite things to do is to ride the carousel at South Coast Plaza.  Hunter was pouting about something while in line, so Daddy pouted too. Pouty faces are adorable.

 This was Landon's first time on the carousel! Look at him go!

 Me and the little man

 Daddy and the big guy.

 We went out for dinner with some friends.  I'm wearing new pants that I got for my birthday.  I was super excited about them! Aren't they cute?

 Hunter was very helpful in picking out trees.  And by very helpful, I mean, he ran around the lot pulling on every tree he could reach.

 When we got the tree home he was so excited! He has no idea why we brought a tree into our house, but he thought it was fun anyways.

 Landon was mesmerized as well.

 After all was said and done, this was the scene.  Brian and I did not buy the boys anything for Christmas this year because of the generosity of friends and family.  This did not even include many of the gifts we gave out or about half of the gifts we got.  Crazy, huh?

 Stockings are hung by the chimney with care.

 The house is all decorated! it was pouring outside so I snapped the photos pretty quickly.

 The scene from upstairs looking down.

 We were SO excited to have my sister-in-law and her family come stay with us!  This is my niece Tessa, who is 3 years old.  She loves Hunter's bike.

 Landon is just SO close to walking!

 Hunter really enjoyed chasing Tessa on the bike and yelling at her to stop.  When she did, he wanted her to go again.  Funny.  And loud.

 The cousins eating together.

 Hunter chasing Tessa again.  This was never-ending (and loud).

 Vicki, Sawyer (8 months), Tessa and Nate.  The whole Calef Clan.

 Landon figured out how to climb up where Hunter was laying.  Hunter figured out how to push Landon off without making him cry.  And so it went.

 Did I mention that it's about 5:30 am and we are the only people awake in the house...but not for looooong.  3 year olds are LOUD (both Hunter and Tessa).

 Bath time! Unfortunately, Sawyer slept through this one.  It was quite an experience to bathe 3 kids.  Ha.

 And they're all brushing their teeth together.

 Landon is going for a baby kiss with Landon.

 Sawyer and Landon standing.

 And sharing a toy.  What happy, wonderful little babies.

 We tried to get Hunter and Tessa to take a nap while watching a movie.  Yea right. They got out of bed 3 times before they were finally separated.

 Vicki and Me with our little guys.  Last year we took this photo with them in our bellies!

 And without babies.

 Brother and sister with the babies

 Happy bunch

 Santa Claus came to town!! He even shared his hat!

 We went to Torrance, a neighboring town, where they have tons of Christmas lights.  We thought it would be pretty dead on Christmas Eve but it was fairly busy.  We walked for awhile until the kids threw fits, then we went home.  It was nice to be out of the house!

 The Calefs + Hunter - Tessa.  Tessa was being 3 and didn't want to be in the photo.  Shockingly, Hunter did.  You can never predict these kids.  Hunter actually did really well.  Before the Calefs came I was telling him about them and he said "that's too many friends."  He knew he would be overwhelmed.  Well, he kept hitting Tessa and Landon.  Brian finally took him upstairs and asked why he was hitting and he said "Too many people!" He was beyond overwhelmed.  It took us 5 days to open Christmas presents, working morning and night because the presents overwhelmed him as well.  poor kid.

 Our little family looking at lights.

 Landon and Sawyer chilling in the stroller.

 Santa Claus on his way to town

 Present time!!!!! Tessa TOTALLY got it - she unwrapped all of her gifts, and both of her parent's!

 Yay! Present time.

 Siblings

 Sawyer and Landon playing together.  Now the Landon can get in and out of the car on his own, he is happily independent.

 Landon's first gift.

 And Hunter opening a favorite - the Mack truck from Cars.

 Brian and Landon opening gifts.

 Me and my Scoopy bear enjoying Christmas.

 This one is from Aunt CHi-Chi and was a BIG hit.

 On Christmas night we went to Keagan's grandparent's house, as we have the past several years.  It's fun to be a part of their tradition.

 Gigi (Keagan's gramma) holding Landon

 Keagan and Hunter as Elves.

 Opening a gift! Thank you!

 Baby Wyatt is 4 months old and just has the sweetest little face you can imagine.  And that's Bridget's hair.

 Keagan and Hunter were playing in Keagan's cousin's bed.  Such happy boys.

 And then they wound down with a movie.

 And finally got into their pajammies before we left.  What sweet little buddies.

 And Wyatt's sweet little face again.  Gigi obviously loves him SO much!

 Landon looks like a toddler.  What happened to my little baby?!

 Hunter with his trouble face.

 Landon and Sawyer

 Cooperative play.  I never imagined Hunter would grow into a kid and that he would play peacefully with other kids.  When he was first born he was just a ball of goo and now, he and his cousin can play together.  They have little conversations and discussions and disagreements.  It's so wonderful and amazing to watch as he grows.

 We're getting ready for Meema and Peepaw and Jeff and Jason to come over for day 4 of Christmas.

 A really cool toy!  Landon and Hunter fight over this one pretty frequently.  Guess who always wins?

 Peepaw playing with Hunter and his new cement truck!

 Meema pushing Landon in his car.

 Jeff and Jason opening gifts.  What a festive day!

 Jason is showing Hunter all of the cars and asking Hunter their names.  He knows almost all of them.

 And of course, Hunter loves his Uncle Jeff.  We are so lucky to have Jeff and Jason close because they love to play with the boys.

 For those of you who didn't see it, this is Hunter's school picture for his 2 year old class.  He is at the Co-op 1 morning a week and he really likes it.

We had a wonderful Christmas holiday.  It is so much fun to gather with friends and family and eat and drink and be Merry.  We are so fortunate to have family nearby.  We dearly miss the family that we have all over the country and hope to see everyone soon.  We wish you all a very happy, safe and healthy New Year!  Lots of love!