Christmas: Take 2
Since she was going to be here for L’s birthday anyways, Cindi brought all the Christmas gifts she had for the kids and we did a 2nd Christmas before she left.
I think the kids love their Snuggies more than anything else
Advent Calendar: Day 2
Snow day!
What a morning we’ve had. First off, it started at 3:30 this morning with our CO detector going off. We thought it was faulty, so we reset it, and it started again. So we tested with a 2nd detector (a plug in one) and that went off too. So we packed up the kids, opened all the windows (and it was raining and 33 degrees outside!) and headed out to sonic for breakfast. Or so we thought. Sonic was closed, so we went to CVS and got mini donuts and milk and sat in the car having breakfast together.
Headed back to the house in the yucky cold rain, only to find out (now FREEZING) house was still triggering the plug-in CO detector. So we called the fire department, and they came out and tested. Brendan was excited to see the truck, but Daddy and I were no where near as thrilled. They tested and it came back that there was no CO, but they told us when they walked in that they probably wouldn’t find anything with all the windows being open.
It was decided that it was caused by the damper being closed too soon after a fire, and the gases backing up in the fireplace and spilling into the house.
So around 5:45, Brendan and Mommy went back to bed. Lily was still wide awake so she played on the floor in the bathroom while Daddy got ready for work. Dad called me on his way to work and said that it was snowing outside, but I was dozing while the kids played, so I just said “okay” and laid back down. Around 7:30 we decided it was time to get up, pack in the toys, and get ready for school. We were all already dressed from our early morning breakfast run, but we needed to get shoes, coats, etc.
I thought quickly “Oh, I bet the snow is already gone” and glanced out the window to see this

So we all threw on coats, shoes and hats and ran outside to play!








Then came inside to put back on our comfy pjs, grab a bite to eat and settle in for some Dora.


rainstorms
A lot of people have been emailing us to be sure we are okay in the aftermaths of all our rain storms. We’re fine. The floods came the day mom and dad and g were supposed to fly out, so we were a bit concerned since 101 was closed headed south (towards the airport) and we didn’t know an alternate route, but they got it figured out and made it home safe and sound. Much of what was flooded is now drying up, although it was very weird to see the cornmaze/pumpking patch as a lake, and to have the water so high in the used-car lots that it was up to the windshields. It seemed like just as everything got flooded, the rain would stop, then there would be big talk of the water going away, and then it would start up again. I can’t believe this weather. I’m moving to higher ground…
(photo of guerneville during a break in the rain)
Christmas
Well, Brendans First Christmas is done and over with. We’re kind of glad b/c things are a lot less hectic right now, but it’s also very sad. We’re both having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that he’s 6 months.. an entire half year… old.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care…
except that there is no Chimney. lol.
I’ve got the stockings done, which is soooo exciting.
And the tree skirt is done too!
Icelandic Trolls
This year we are going to follow the Icelandic Traditions for kids where they put their shoe int he window sill at night and a troll with bring them a small trinket. The first troll, Stiff Legs, came last night to bring Brendan a pair of socks! Take a peak at the “12 trolls of christmas” album to see pics each day
Christmas Ornaments
Mom has decided to make our Christmas Ornaments this year! She says she’s tired of generic store-bought ornaments and really wants the holidays to be about our family.
Here’s an example of some of the ones she made
This photo is my First Christmas Ornament and a picture of Mom, Dad, Me and Duke when we first moved to California!
Every Ornament has something significant to our family, like a part of their wedding invitation, or a photo from an important day. Then every year, Mom will make a few more to go with the set!
























