Oh, that's right! I had a birthday!

I had a birthday last month! :)  It was truly a memorable birthday, but I have neglected to record it (for my own sake) on the blog.  In order to stay true to my nature of documenting every little thing, I had to be sure to include my birthday in here, even if only a few photos are available to share.

My birthday fell on a school/work day, which only equates to crazy-chaotic-mornings-and-no-time-for-dilly-dallying!  Approximately 15 minutes before we needed to be heading out the door, my half-dressed, not-finished-with-breakfast children hurriedly exclaimed that they needed to decorate the house for my special day!!  Somehow, I managed to barely help with the streamers (okay, so maybe I had to hold them up once for Brant), but it was nice to see them desiring to make the house special for me.  Miraculously, they did a beautiful job AND we all made it to school/work on time! 

While Maddie was in school and Brant was at work, Geoffrey told me he wanted to take me out on a date.  But that was quickly followed with a disappointed "revelation" that he couldn't take me out because he couldn't drive me anywhere.  He was reassured that it was okay to "let the girl drive." :)  We happily went out and enjoyed a birthday treat from Starbucks together.

Later that evening, we had a small birthday celebration as a family.  The kids (read: Maddie) wanted to throw me a "Frozen-themed" birthday party.  They set to work decorating the rest of the living room with all of her Frozen paraphernalia, books, dolls, clothes, and made sure the room looked its very best for me.  I opened a gift from the kids and was so surprised to find the movie "Frozen" inside!  ;)  We enjoyed a dinner/movie night, followed by a homemade cake (without my help!), decorated with blue and pink colors (remember my theme?).  It was a very sweet and special night! 

What else made my birthday so special this year?  My kind-hearted husband heard my pleas to get some time alone, and granted my wish.  The day following my birthday, I was given a kid-free (which also meant husband-free) time to go out on a shopping trip.  It was heavenly. :)  Our good friends came over that afternoon to watch the kids while Brant and I went on a movie date to see final segment of The Hobbit.  That was fitting, because on my birthday last year (in Paris), we also watched The Hobbit in theaters.  

I was blessed by my loved ones, family and friends, and am so very fortunate to living the life I have.  Happy Birthday to me!

Christmas in California!

My parents delighted us all when they informed us they would be able to make the trip down to SoCal for Christmas this year, since we would not be coming up to Oregon.  This certainly helped to make our decision to stay put a bit easier...it was very special to have family with us over the holiday.

This was my mom's second visit to our home in La Verne, but my dad's first.  Unfortunately, the moment I picked them up from the airport, he was sneezing and coming down with a bad cold.  Ugh!  We were able to keep our activities on the "light" side, giving him plenty of time to rest and recover.  He was in great spirits the entire time, and although we could tell he was feeling bad, he did a wonderful job at not letting it interfere with playing or hanging out with us all.  And, miraculously, none of us caught the cold he was battling for the 6 nights they were visiting!

They arrived late Christmas night, and so the morning of the 26th brought great joy and excitement, as the kids woke up to find Grandma and Grandpa sleeping downstairs...plus another bounty of presents!  We enjoyed a leisure morning at home before getting out for some fresh air at the park.

Our "Christmas Dinner," which left our tummy's filled and our hearts happy.

On Saturday, we made a trip out to Huntington Beach, where we played in the surf, sat in the sunshine, and enjoyed a delicious lunch at Ruby's on the Pier.  Not such a shabby way to spend Christmas vacation!

My mother has never visited the ocean without putting her feet in the water.  Her grand-kids were more than willing and happy to join her!

Ruby's Diner -- at the end of the pier.  

Contemplating life, and the ocean, with Grandpa.

This is how we occupy ourselves when we are having to patiently wait in a restaurant. ;)

Bright California sunshine...no one's complaining about that!

Throughout our days and nights together, we filled the time with many card games, tennis, crafts, movies, and naps. :)  The weather was unseasonably cold for us, which made for lots of layers (which my parents were not expecting), and cozy indoor time.  We made the best of it!

I just had to throw this picture in for good measure.  These two did not plan their outfits for church - I swear.

We made a return trip to the same hiking trail we had done as a family just days before... the kids really love it, which makes that sort of outing even more appealing!

Here we go!

Grandpa invented a new game with the giant palm branches, and the kids couldn't get enough.  They turned it into a game of "swab the deck!"  And truly, it took a lot of convincing for them to leave the branches at the base of the trail head.  They were determined to bring them along!

Pretty sure they're the cutest! 

The kids insisted on a water break - this bench is about 2 minutes up from the start of the trail.  ;)  They're building up to becoming amazing hikers!

I love spending time with my parents; wherever we are, we always make great memories!

If you know my daughter, you know how she does not hold hands or enjoy "physical touch" very much.  With one exception; this trail.  She will hold onto your hand very tightly, which is such a rarity, that I think we should get back up this trail more often! 

Geoffrey told Grandpa to place his hand behind his back so he wouldn't touch the cacti.  I thought this was just so precious (but he's right...there is a LOT of cacti on this trail).

We also made a short evening visit to the local airfield, to watch the planes and enjoy the sunset.

No hesitations from either of them!

Grandma is just so good at playing!

I really like it out here.  God sure is an amazing artist! 

Family selfie!

Our final big outing of my parents' visit, was to visit the Space Shuttle, Endeavour.  This was our second visit, although the kids don't have a memory of the first, but it was equally as impressive.  It was an excellent choice for our day, because the weather turned into an awful downpour.  We were all happy to be on an outing, but indoors.

I've already talked in my last post, and this post, how wonderful it was to stay home for Christmas this year.  We missed our extended family very much, and we were so blessed to be able to spend the holiday with some of you.  Thanks for the great visit, Mom and Dad!!  We love you!!

Our Christmas in La Verne

Our little family did something pretty monumental this year for Christmas...we stayed home, in California!  Can you believe it??  Neither could we.  With the exception of circumstances preventing us completely from going to Oregon last year (seeing as we were an ocean away), we have always made it back to our hometown for the holidays.  It was not an easy decision, but one we knew needed to happen for our family this year, and in future years to come.  It was time for us to begin to establish family traditions, and make memories together, at home.  I do not hesitate when I say it was the very best Christmas we have ever had - (so sorry, family...we missed you terribly, and we look forward to future holidays together, but it's true; this was one of a kind).

Brant and I were overwhelmed with joy and peace, as we experienced the magic and sacredness of Christmas, through the eyes of our kids, in the comfort of our own surroundings.  We made wonderful new memories together, did not feel rushed through the season, took the time to be thoughtful about our decisions and activities, and truly experienced the JOY of Christmas.  What a blessing!!

I am going to give a sampling of pictures from some of our family time together, over the 23rd-25th of December.  It was all equally special and memorable.

We walked through "Thoroughbred Street", along with the rest of the San Gabriel Valley, enjoying the immaculate Christmas light displays.

On Christmas Eve morning, we went to a "Pajama and Pancake" family Christmas Eve service at our church.  It was the coolest thing!  The kids loved going to church in their pj's, the service was so thoughtful and well planned for an audience of young families, and it ended with a full pancake breakfast - which was such a hit with our crew.

In the afternoon, we went for a family hike up the Horsethief Park trail, in San Dimas.  It was the perfect, low-key hike, which ended at a playground.  Another successful addition to our day.  We really enjoyed being outside together, enjoying God's creation and a fun, free outing we had never done before.

To start, both kids were a little tentative, for fear of stepping in horse manure, of all things.  I guess we don't get out enough.

Merry Christmas Eve!

She had insisted on the skirt for the hike. ;)

So.much.cactus on this trail!  I don't want to be here in the hot months, to find out who lives, or slithers, among these!

The kids were so pleased with what they had accomplished, and Mommy and Daddy were so pleased that all went well without a fuss!

We enjoyed cheese fondue for dinner - a Himes' family tradition, before heading to the candlelight service at church.

Our advent candles, which we lit each night at dinner, followed by the advent reading.  

Cheese fondue fun!

A friend took this quick snapshot with her phone, which is why Maddie isn't pictured.  The candlelight service was sacred and beautiful. 

During the morning service, each family was given a jar of s'mores ingredients.  We decided to take part in this fun activity before bedtime on Christmas Eve.  It was so unique and fun, it just might become a yearly tradition!

Cookies and milk for Santa!  Must be bedtime!

So, so, so many pictures were captured on Christmas morning, and it was such a special time as a family.  We started with stockings, and the kids were elated to see that Santa had come to fill their stockings with the special gifts they had asked for: an Ariel doll and a toy car, among other small treasures. ;)

We followed stockings with breakfast, and then, unprompted, Maddie and Geoffrey began to sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus.  Here they are, singing to him.  Love!

This year, Maddie went out shopping with me, to find a special present for Daddy and Geoffrey, and the boys did the same for the girls.  My favorite was the glass pencil ornament Maddie spotted and picked out all on her own, because "Daddy loves to write."

One very special gift, which already has holes and stains, was this coveted Elsa dress we decided to get for Maddie just two nights earlier.  Her face says it all.

Geoffrey was given a great conductor's dress-up outfit from his Auntie Amber.  Both kids were dressed up for the rest of the day!

After we had finished with our gifts, and began cleaning up, we heard a loud siren, that wasn't stopping but only getting closer in sound.  It was odd enough, that we looked outside to figure it out.  Passing by, was a small firetruck, with none other, but Santa riding on the back, waving and calling out, "Merry Christmas!"  The firemen were passing out bags of peanuts, apples and candy.  It was pretty cool, and we all quickly went outside to get a better look!  Definitely something you could probably only find in a small town.

One final wave.
We enjoyed our lazy afternoon, cleaning up from our exciting morning, getting ready for our Christmas night visitors (coming in the next post!), and enjoying new toys, including the scooters both kids scored this year.  It really was a low-key, wonderful day!

A picture of me, for good measure, because a) I'm usually behind the camera, and b) to show off the awesome necklace from Beirut given to me from my father-in-law.

December in SoCal does not look like wintertime...more like fall.  Beautiful, though!  

And, finally, a picture of little man, playing with the gift his sister picked out for him.  Thank you $1 Target section!

Christmas 2014 is one we will cherish, and although we will not always stay exclusively home for the holidays each year, we look forward to the new memories and traditions we have created as a family and will build upon for years to come.