Fake Christmas

First of all, I forgot to mention that our wonderful friend Audrey took our family pictures back in November.  It was one of those photo-shoots where nobody seemed to be cooperating (poor Corinne looked like she was about to burst into tears half the time!)  But, despite that, here are my three favorites!
  

     

Since we were heading to Utah the day before Christmas Eve, we decided to cut down on the amount of gift baggage and do Fake Christmas on Friday.  This year I tried wrapping some of the bulkier presents in felt, tied with cloth ribbons, and it was awesome.  I'm totally going to use that material over and over again.  Ryan got new luggage, I got an iPad (yeah, his idea was better than mine.)  Connor got some Legos and Calvin and Hobbes books, Elise got an ice cream maker, Evan got these plastic stepping stones that he jumps across, and sweet little Corinne got some of Elise's baby toys wrapped up.  I felt like a bad mom, but she didn't know the difference, and we had too many toys already to buy more.
   

Even with the unbreakable ornaments, Evan broke quite a few.

Gifts from Nana and Al

  

Corinne's First Christmas Present

  

      
That evening we joined our friends again down in Newport Beach.  They were staying at a time share, so we hung out, swam, and roasted marshmallows on a very heat-less gas bonfire.  The kids were wiped out by the time we left.  We had meant to leave on our trip the next morning, but since nothing was packed, and we got home around midnight, that wasn't going to happen!
  

  

Next-Morning Sleepiness