Friday, December 23, 2011

Joys of Christmas






















To all our friends, Merry Christmas. May we all remember this special day and the change in all of us that the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, made in our lives. I think so often of the shepherds and their awe at seeing the star and seeking the birth of the Messiah...I wish for all of you that star and that discovery.

Christmas for us brings smiles of joy from Aubrey and Charlie. Their "Elf on the Shelf," name Calvin by Aubrey (no I don't know where that came from) has been a fun, fun thing. Every morning they find Calvin in so many different places...in a stocking on the mantle, on top of the Christmas tree, in the kitchen window, in the bathroom, hanging off the living room mirror....so may places. And, it is important to be nice...not naughty. We have had breakfast with Santa, made cookies with Mrs. Claus, visited the reindeer, sat on Santa's lap, andmade a Gingerbread House at Preschool. Went up to Farmer's Market at Malibu (celebrity sighting: David Spade, Rachael Zoe, Gary Busey) for a fun day and to the Skiball Museum for children's art fun! We have sung the "12 Days of Christmas," "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," and "Jingle Bells" at least 10,000 times!

Tomorrow Christmas Eve family church service, then dinner at PF Chang's on the Promenade, then bed and the magic of Christmas morning as seen through the eyes of Aubrey and Charlie. It will be a "most wonderful time."

As Tiny Tim said, "God bless you each and everyone."

Friday, December 9, 2011

Christmas in Santa Monica



We are thrilled to be spending time in Santa Monica with our wonderful family, including our two adorable granddaughters, Aubrey 3+ and Charlie 18 months. They are very energetic, but so very sweet and kind. Aubrey told Santa she wanted a "Pinkalicious" book and a teddy bear for her and for Charlie. She never varies from that! We went to the pre-school Christmas program Sunday at the Baptist Church Aubrey attends. Each class sang a different song. Aubrey's class sang "Away in a Manager," and they did a great job. Here are photos of Charlie, all dressed up for the program.
We love having them spend the night with us in our condo....only 4 blocks from Ashley and Kevin's house. We go to the park, to the 3rd street Promenade, Disney Store, Pinkberry, Disneyland with the girls. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR FRIENDS!!!