Say Cheese!

So Young was taking pictures of the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve when all of a sudden, completely out of the blue, Timo jumped in front of the camera and said "CHEESE"...with the biggest smile on his face. I laughed so hard and Young snapped the picture. And because Timo got attention doing it, Cameron had to do the exact same thing. She stood in front of the camera and yelled "CHEESE" while her Daddy took her picture.
I think they picked up the "say cheese" part from the night before when we asked some people to take our picture in front of the Union Square Christmas tree. The very kind lady took about 6 or 7 pictures of us and always said "say cheese" just before she snapped a picture. I guess Timo remembered because I can't really think of a time I've asked them to say cheese when I have taken their picture. But I'm glad it's a new skill they have learned...makes for much better pictures.

Christmas Eve

Young and I started the tradition of eating a nice lunch out on Christmas Eve years ago when I used to work all nighters Christmas Eve at Citizen Cake. I would get home in the morning, sleep for a few hours and then we would go have a large lunch. We tried to carry on this tradition last year with the kids and again this year. The only exception is our restaurant of choice is now a low key, kid friendly place.

We tried to find a place that had other activities in the area...like a park and maybe some festive activity for the kids. We decided on North Beach (Italian town) because of the park, playground and best of all...the Cable Car Museum!
When you walk into the museum you are overwhelmed by the noise. It's the actually hub of where all the cables run from that run all the cable cars in the city. There are these huge wheels turning and engines running that were perfect for Timo but not for Cameron. But once she saw the the cable cars to climb on the bells to ring, she warmed right up.


We headed over to lunch next to fill our bellies with pasta! We had a hard time getting Timo to leave the museum so it was way past their lunch time before we got to the restaurant. Timo knows how to eat with his fork...but he was so hungry, he started shoveling it in as soon as it was put in front of him! Once he had a little, he went back to his fork...

And Cameron was all about seeing how much pasta she could twirl on her fork!



Luckily the park was right across the street so the kids could run off their lunch. It was a gorgeous day with perfect weather for outdoor play.

We headed home so EVERYONE could take a nap. After we put the kids down, Young and I crashed on the sofa and I think we all slept for 2+hours! It's been so long since I've taken a long afternoon nap like that...a little early Christmas present! Then it was time to change and go to church for our Christmas Eve service. There was no child care so some of the kids all sat together...making for a somewhat rowdy service...
Once we got home we tucked the kids in "for a long winter's nap..." so Santa could get busy...good thing we took a long nap earlier that day!

Christmas Eve Eve

Sorry we haven't post for a while...needless to say things have been a whirlwind this Christmas. As much as I miss being with my family for Christmas, I'm so thankful we don't travel and can stay home and build our own traditions with the twins. The past few days have been full of amazing family time and Young and I have experienced, once again, why people say Christmas is really all about the kids. We are so blessed and thankful for the two precious gifts the Lord has given us.

Now on to the fun stuff!! Young finished up work on Wed. afternoon so we took off for downtown to show the kids all the lights and magic of Union Square. There is so much for the little ones, as well as the big ones, to see. But our first stop was Citizen Cake to have some gingerbread Joes and Janes. I made hundreds of these when I worked there and wanted to share them with the kids now.

Then on to downtown where we hit the huge Christmas village in the Hilton Hotel, the giant revolving gingerbread house in the Westin, Santa Clause in the dome at Bloomingdales and of course the gigantic Christmas tree in Union Square. We had a our hands full taking the kids in and out of the stroller to see everything, we were somewhat limited on photos. But here are out pics from the Christmas tree.

The Night Before Christmas

                                      

Christmas Videos

Here are some random videos of the kids playing...Ah, the fun at Christmas time!

Big Pot

We have a large stock pot that we don't use that much but did last week. After I washed it, I put aside on the floor to put away later because it goes way back in a top cabinet. Well, Timo got to it before I could get it put away....

After climbing in and out, Cameron wanted in on the action so Timo gave her a hand getting in. Just a little too big now to fit...

9th Annual Ornament Party

If you noticed the title said 9th Annual and we've only been married for 5 years....that's because it's a tradition that Young started years ago to when he had no ornaments and thought it was a great way to get some. Here we are, 9 years later, carrying on the tradition and still collecting ornaments that friends give us. By now our tree doesn't have one single ornament on it that we've picked out ourselves!

We had to get some friends to take pictures for us at the party because we were busy cooking up a storm as usual. Thank you to Calen and Linda for taking such great pictures!! I'm glad you both got in at least one picture!

We cooked up a feast for everyone in return for their generosity in ornaments...here is a little of what was left...
We had about 50 people come this year and more babies/toddlers than ever! We don't have many pics of the kids, I think all us moms were busy chasing them all around. But here are a few of our friends...


Timo was excited to have so many people in house...and getting so much attention...while Cameron graciously helped someone put their ornament on the tree.

Then it was time for the judging. We pick a winner ornament and have a small door prize for them. This year's theme was "Christmas Around the World". For some reason, we got quite a few hot air balloon ornaments. Timo had an opinion about several of the ornaments...
If you can click on this picture and see the larger image, the gold hot air balloon with a gold crown on the right of the tree was this year's winner, given by Carmen and Rolando Vega. It was their meaning of Christ the King spreading his love and joy around the world. Thank you to everyone who blessed us with ornaments and your company this Christmas!

Precious Moments

Last Saturday, our church put on a play called the Best Christmas Pageant Ever. We took the kids to go watch the play. The house was packed and we sat in the last row. We assumed that the kids would get restless anyway; the play started at 6:30, pretty close to the kids' night night time.

If you don't know about the play or have never seen it, you should. It's a great story about these riffraff family of kids that ends up understanding the true meaning of Christmas. Besides the storyline, everyone in the play did an amazing job.

No sooner than the play started did Timo get restless. Sara had to take him out into the hallway and placate him. But Cameron was mesmerized by the play and was such a beautiful little girl. I tried pointing out to her all of the different action that was happening on stage trying to keep her engaged. I can't remember the last time she ever stayed so quietly and calmly for an hour.

I just sat there enjoying the play, but even more so, the company of my little girl sitting on my lap who was being a wonderful angel. I couldn't help being overwhelmed with joy and thanksgiving; one of the most precious moments I can remember.

The Real Christmas Tree

A few days after Santa's Tree Farm we headed to our local nursery to pick out our own Christmas tree. Again, Cameron liked the "Cameron sized trees" the most while Timo enjoyed the adventure of walking between all the trees.

Timo found entertainment enough by running in and out of the trees until her heard the chainsaw...from then on, he just stood there watching tree after tree getting trimmed.
We put the kids to bed and put the tree up with the lights. No decorations to start out with because we had or annual ornament party that coming weekend. But I was excited for the kids to wake up the next morning and see the lights and stockings hung. (I do the lights, Young does the decorations)

Cameron was a little intimidated by the sight but Timo ran right up to it and in typical fashion, had to examine all around the tree trying to figure out how it worked.



(more post coming on the ornament party and decorated tree....it's like a week long tree trimming process in our house)

Santa's Christmas Tree Farm

We decided to take the kids to a "cut your own" tree farm this year even though we get our Christmas tree from a local nursery. We thought they would enjoy all the activities the farms have to offer and not even notice we didn't leave with a tree. I had remembered a tree farm in Half Moon Bay, about a 30 min drive away, that always looked fun and full of Christmas spirit when I've passed it in the past. I couldn't remember exactly where it was but we knew we were close when we saw the line of traffic turning into this one farm. But they were great and moved everyone through pretty quickly and we were parked and screaming over the train in no time!
Yes, Timo's dream come true, a train to ride on. They had the cutest little train that we took a ride around the farm on. The kids loved it but I was anxious to get back to the Elves' workshop to check out all the other activities!

Once back at the Workshop there was hot cider, a train running around the ceiling that captivated the kids, a puppet show and SNOW! (Well, fake snow but the kids didn't know the difference)

I love the sign on the front of the counter...

Then it was time to head out to the trees just to get up close them them and let the kids run around a bit. Cameron loved all the little trees or the "Cameron sized trees" we saw.

A little cider break and off and running again...I definitely see Santa's Tree Farm as a new part of our family Christmas traditions!