Christmas in Auburn

This year we were able to spend Christmas in Auburn, California with Kevin's family. We left Arizona bright and early (well it wasn't too bright actually, it was pitch black, but it was early for sure) and arrived in Sacramento Wednesday morning. We spent the first two days just relaxing, since the kiddos were both fighting colds. On Thursday evening we were able to meet up with my Aunt Marilyn & Uncle Jim, cousins Michael, Joey, Monica and little baby Eden for a lovely dinner at the Spaghetti Factory. It was a sweet treat, since I don't usually get to see my family while we are in Sacramento because we aren't usually there long enough.

On Christmas Eve we got up and headed to Bayside for their family service. We of course had front row seats, because we know people in high places. We had a wonderful time and Gavin quite enjoyed himself, especially since they sang his favorite song (and let me just add that the entire trip we listened to "Sing, Sing, Sing" on repeat in the car, I think we all have the song memorized now, or at least we should).

Gavin's new best friend, apparently. This is one of the performers from the show, and one of the singers of his favorite song on the cd we have. He was on the stage helping clean up after the service and went up to her with his arms in the air saying "up, up" so she of course picked him up. He then gave her a good snuggle and didn't let go until about 20 minutes later when Kevin took him. At least he has good taste.

We then enjoyed a wonderful dinner with Great Grandad & Grandma Roro & cousin Stephanie. Audra loved her some Grandad.

She snuggled right up.

And Gain has a long tongue. When we arrived home on Christmas Eve we had the best surprise of all, UNCLE NATE was home. He didn't think that he was going to get Christmas day off of work, so we were not expecting him till after dinner on Christmas day. So it was quite exciting when we got home and he was there waiting for us.

Christmas morning, I think Gavin was the first one up, and everyone else quickly followed. He was quite excited to come out in the morning and see all the presents under the tree.

This picture cracks me up because Gavin is holding Audra's hand from touching his new toy.

Gavin had a large Nerf gun waiting under the tree for him from Uncle "NNNAAAA" (Nate). Gavin loved Uncle Nate and would yell his name for the whole neighborhood to hear.

As you can see the gun was quite a hit. Literally, later on Kevin hit me in the eye, yep that's right he did, it was an accident of course. We then laid some ground rules for no shooting people with the gun. Funny how that works.

Audra got a very soft snuggly duck, and apparently it was so snuggly that Gavin was trying to steal it.

They both recieved lots of wonderful gifts from Nana & Gramps . . . winter hats and gloves . . .

Audra recieved her first baby doll. Stella (this picture makes me laugh, it looks like she is guarding that baby closely) . . .

trucks, cars, singing funny animal things (I forget what they are actually called, but they are really funny), a car mat . . .

legos, clothes . . .

Gavin loves the dog, can you tell. He was constantly covered from head to toe with dog hair, imagine that.

Gavin & Nate enjoyed a little Justin Bieber dance party.

Then Gavin enjoyed some time building his CARS legos with Gramps.

Then great Grandad & Grandma RoRo, Stephanie, Auntie T & Uncle Gar came over for the afternoon.

And of course they came bearing more gifts for us all.

And Audra enjoyed all the good snuggle time.

Is she taunting me because she is being spoiled?

We enjoyed some wii bowling of course.

Oh and did I say more presents. And of course more footballs.

Family picture time. However, we discovered its much more difficult when you have two children and lots of people and more than one camera. So in all of the following I warn you that very few people are actually looking at the camera.

Gavin decided it was much more fun to just ride the dog.

The cousins.

Grandchildren & Grandparents

Grandchildren & Auntie T & Uncle Gar

Gavin also recieved a couple new pairs of pj, one being these football jammies.

And look there are those muscles again.

We had a wonderful Christmas break with the Holts. Thank you for all the wonderful gifts and taking such good care of us.

Christmas at Home!

We celebrated Christmas as a family before we headed off to Auburn. And in honor of our celebrating we began with a Christmas tree shaped pizza. Gavin was more concerned with showing off his muscles. (He's not so much into taking pictures these days, he will say cheese but then look every direction but the camera. And he will say cheese instead of smiling, so we come up with creative things to get his attention, example "show me your muscles", and then we get pictures like this.)

Miss Audra was loving the pizza and is always good for a big smile.
Our lovely large tree, it was so big our lights only went half way up the tree and I never was able to get more, so we just never turned the lights on. And our beautiful stockings handmade by Grammy.
Carrying on Floch tradition Gavin was sent down the stairs and awaiting him under the tree was one unopened gift. Audra also came down but didn't know the difference of course. We opened presents from each other and from the Grammy & Pops.
"Prents", that what Gavin called them and was waiting quite impatiently to tear into every present under the tree.

He was screaming "BBBUUUZZZ!" when he opened his new pj's from Grammy & Pops. He was quite excited.

Audra was really excited about her cute new red skirt.

I think after this Christmas I would have to say it is way more exciting and fun to watch my children open presents than to open my own. They just get so excited and have the best reactions. Gavin was completely hyped up on presents and screamed about everything. "BBOOOOTBALLL!" He sat looked through this funny book for several minutes screaming at every page.

Audra also got some new jammies, her were of course, disney princesses.

Everyone busy opening. Kevin is quite excited about her Gonzaga baskeball shorts.

So many toys . . . a power tools set . . .

"QQUUUEEEN" And a very cool Lightening McQueen sleeping bag.

goggles . . . for safety while using the power tools . . .

in their stocking they each got a hat . . . don't let the smile fool you, he's not excited about the hat, but the CARS magnets in his hand.

Gavin got busy right away putting his tools to work, drilling the entire house, but mostly the walls.

Thank you for all the wonderful gifts.