Christmas Day!

Christmas morning was definitely one of my favorite days this year. Our 2nd born was up at the wee hour of 7:45 followed by the 1st born at 8:00. We did some picture taking in bed as a family before I went out to the family room to see if Santa had come. Of course he did :) I gave the "all clear" call and the troops filed out. Jack was so cute and super excited right off the bat about his candy canes. So funny. We enjoyed the morning opening gifts and eating breakfast before we headed out to our hour long service at 11:00. We spent the afternoon at Daniel's parents - braked for a nap session - and then reconvened back over there that night. It was a perfect day. Couldn't think of a better way to celebrate our Saviour!! Happy Birthday Jesus!!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was just as anticipated as Christmas day growing up and I still feel that way. Today was so fun. We enjoyed a nice day together as a family - sleeping in until 8, eating crepes for breakfast, taking a Kubota ride, napping (well, everyone but me), enjoyed a DELICIOUS Christmas dinner with Daniel's family complete with visiting/playing with cousins, family and friends and gorging ourselves. We came home and put on our Christmas jammies, read our Christmas books, read about the birth of Christ in Luke, sang Christmas carols and will soon enjoy Santa-fying our house. Life is good. Life is sooooo good. How lucky we are for this time of year - to celebrate our Savior through family traditions. I love the new ones we are creating and the old ones I can look back on and fondly remember (will be missing the 12 Days of Christmas going on at the Spongberg household tonight). I hope my family knows how full my heart is tonight, full of love for them- those near and far. Merry Christmas!

A little bit of Santa diaper action.

Iversons

Oh my happy, beautiful baby cakes!! Really, they don't get any cuter!

Family Photo Shoot...

Thank you my incredibly talented, beautiful photographer friend Eva... we love you and our pictures!

Round Two...

Similar results.

Why do I enjoy torturing my baby so much?

HO, HO, HO!!!!

Santa was well received last night!

Joining the Army

Today it became official... Ivy is an army crawler! She's been rollin' all over to get where she wants to go and now she has added army crawling to her list of tricks. My sweet little baby... growing up too fast.

California!!

Our trip out to California was FABULOUS!!! Since Daniel and I have been married we have alternated our Christmas's from Florida with his family and mine in California. Since we have the kids now we have decided to stay here for Christmas in order to enjoy it at home. Because it was supposed to be our California year we decided to come our for Thanksgiving instead! I can't quite express how enjoyable this trip was! Jack Jack and I talk about the trip everyday and we miss everyone so much! Here is a run down of the events...

The dreaded 5 hour plane ride was an absolute BREEZE! The kids were awe-some!! It went a little like this: Take off. Ivy slept, Jack and I played. Ivy ate and watched Jack and I play. Jack slept. Ivy slept again. I slept a little. Landing. Really I couldn't have asked for a better scenario.

We stayed at my moms and I'm sure she and my brother Jeff are both missing the sound of feet stomping around at 4:30, 5:30 or 6:30 in the morning :) It took a few days but we finally adjusted to the time difference and I had to keep Jack from waking them both before 8:00. He pretty much stalked my brother (UncJeff) whenever he was home. And would stand at the foot of the stairs calling out "Buster!! (my mom's dog) Gramma!!"

We enjoyed the company of Nate, Dara and their kids most evenings as well since their house is under some reconstruction. Hallee loved little Ivy and loved holding her and helping me bathe her. Jack ran around crazy with Jake and Baylee (it didn't take long for them to reacquaint themselves) and with Uncle Nate.

We enjoyed seeing my dad often as well. He spoiled us by taking us out to breakfast several times and having us over for dinner. Jack Jack really took to his grandpa and shed many tears at our partings.

Thanksgiving day!! It was such a nice evening over at my Aunt Sandee and Uncle Roland's house. They always do such a fabulous job of hosting. The food was delicious but mostly I enjoyed having my whole family there!!

We were able to visit with these two lovebirds several times!! GG and Gramps!! Celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary earlier this year... Incredible, huh!!

You might notice an unfamiliar brunette in a few of these pictures... My brother Jeff got engaged the day before Thanksgiving and so we met Hannah -our soon to be sister in law (or aunt) for the first time and we absolutely love her!!! They make it official April 21st!

It seems like each time we are out we make a trip to the duck pond. It is just so fun for Jack to chase and feed the birds! Plus there is a playground... it's a little dream for this guy. Seems like Daniel and Ivy enjoyed it too.

I've been itching to see my Grandma Gerry and take a 4 generation picture - and here it is!!! Turned out rather well I'd say!

My super sweet niece, Hallee, had her 10th birthday party while we were there. In fact, she requested to have her party a week early, just so we could attend. They part was so fun! Swimming, tacos, a bouncy slide, trampoline, great weather, family. It doesn't get much better than that!

We ended our little trip with a trip to the Happiest Place on Earth.... DISNEYLAND!! Hannah works there and was able to get us in for free! Happy day! And my brother and his family have passes! The day was nice and the park was hardly crowded at all! It was certainly a success!

We miss our California family so much!! But are excited to be back in April!!