a Christmas Eve celebration!

anytime i get a chance to infuse Disney into my life, i do it!  how lucky were we to go to Downtown Disney on Christmas Eve!  Olaf's ice skating rink was just the right amount of festive and fun!  Colin may not have been super stoked on ice skating, but the girls took to it right away and enjoyed every minute. 

after a delicious family dinner at Cheesecake Factory, we had a traditional night at Grandma and Grandpa's, with musical performances by the girls:  

the nativity story, as told by the Earl Family:

and tucked everyone in, in their Christmas jammies:

Grandma and Grandpa know how to make Christmas magical!

Santa was likely very happy with his sweet treat:

happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

it's christmas time, again!

this Christmas was the first we shared as a complete family.  these cuties looked cute in their Christmas jammies as they slumbered in anticipation of a fun morning!

Santa did not disappoint.  each child received just what they were hoping for, and we got to capture it all with Daddy's gift, a GoPro.  

American Girls were at the top of everyone's lists this year.  In our family, if you would like to ask Santa for an American Girl doll, you first have to read the books and give the family a report on the time period.  Anna can take on a whole series no problem.  But for the younger readers (or non readers in Avery's case) we settle for 1 book.  So these are the smiles of girls who truly earned their dolls.  

Anna gave me these awesome glasses, and Dad gave all his girls golf hats for their one on one golf dates.  

Zoe received her Daddy Bear, a special bear we make for each child on their first Christmas.  Each bear has a loving message recorded by Dad. 

my Chritmas presents (thanks Jason)

i have been wanting a Bosch for a very long time now (at least 6 years) and have always stopped short of buying one due to my lack of baking and the large price tag.  but this has been a big year for me and the oven.  i have embraced baking muffins, cookies and other snacks as a way to cut back on processed foods.  my increased baking made for an increased mess and Jason was always commenting that there had to be a less messy way to mix.  I took the opportunity to tell him my theories on stand mixers and educate him on our need for a Bosch. and look what Santa brought me:  (Jason would die if i didn't point out that this was not my only present and he merely wrapped it and put it under the tree due to the timing of the purchase)  

 this little number has revolutionized my muffin and cookie skills, and the ease and convenience factors has led me to take up bread baking as well.  i now bake wheat bread a couple times a month, so we've replaced yet another source of processed foods!  hip hip hooray!  don't even get me started on the blender attachment.  needless to say, our smoothie making time has shrunk by half!

a note on my real Christmas gifts as they have not arrived I do not have photos.  Jason presented me with a coupon to upgrade my photography quiver.  I ordered 2 (count 'em 2) new Nikon dSLRs an off camera flash unit, new camera tote, SD cards, jump drives and more.  Britain Earl Photography is off to a great 2013!!!  thank you hubby!

California Christmas Part Deux

Christmas Eve was again a splendid party.  we had such a nice time with friends and family.  and Colin had so much fun with his best pal Nalu.  

 a special visitor came to surprise the kids.  the girls were so excited and whispered their cute wishes to the man in red. 

 Colin on the other hand was not very excited to visit with his old friend.  while i was trying to place him in Santa's lap I said, "I just want you to say hi to Santa."  and this is what he did, obediently and tearfully waved and said, "hi."  poor kid, his mom just won't quit.  

 Colin was all pictured out, but I was dying for a shot of all my cuties on Christmas Eve.  

 the clan (minus Barrett's family, and Elder Beardsley):

 i am feeling pretty lousy this pregnancy, I was not a super energetic party goer. 

 Chritmas morning was a bit of a waiting game for the kiddies.  were were able to Skype with Collier, so we let the kids empty stockings, but made them wait to open presents.  here's Avery asking, "is this my Rapunzel doll?"  

 this kid had some unwrapped presents in the mix, so he rode, 

 and hammered and sawed until the opening began.  

 Christmas cuties:

 Avery did in fact receive a life-sized Rapunzel this year.  

 while Anna and Maddie both got just what they asked for too!

 Caroline, the American girl doll from 1812.  

 they got nearly every Caroline accessory (thank you grandma and grandpa), including matching jammies.  

 Tashy and Ian hooked the girls up with these darling magnet boards.  

 and buddy occupied himself with tree ornaments, and...

 the four footballs he got!  

Colin is obsessed with football.  it's his first word in the morning, and if you turn the TV on he is relentless with the question, "football? football? football?"  he and dad had some fun running plays in grandma's yard.  

we had a very Merry Christmas most especially because we were surrounded by family, spoke with and saw Elder Beardsley, and reflected on the birth and love of our Savior.  Merry Christmas to all!

California Christmas part one

we had a great week in California to celebrate Christmas with our family.  we started things out with visiting uncle Austy and aunt Holly's new house, and took the festivities over to the Costa Mesa civic center Peanuts' Christmas display.   

the kids had so much fun checking out all the cool set-ups of Snoopy and the gang!

Colin has mixed feelings about Santa.  he is really excited to see him, but wants nothing to do with him up close and personal.  it's kind of a funny situation, here he is all excited and waving in line saying, "Santa, Santa," then it's out turn and his smile turns upside down.  no lap sits for sure!

i' pretty sure Santa would have appreciated it if Austy chose to forgo the lapsit this year too!  

it was a nice way to spend Christmas Eve-Eve.