Snow in Vegas

It has snowed in Malibu a few times since we have lived in Southern California and it even hailed for about 45 seconds the other day at our house, but we found a lot of snow this weekend at Bart and Andria's house in Las Vegas - of all places. Owen figured that it was easier to pick up chunks of ice and throw them instead of hand-packing a snow ball.
A little early for Kirt and Bart, but we had to get a picture. The kids had a blast on our weekend trip. We did a little shopping, a little cooking and just hanging out. A nice little trip away from everyday life. Thanks to our generous hosts!
I've seen a few people post pictures of their Christmas trees and thought mine may be of interest for a different reason. Can you tell that we have little trouble makers at our house? Owen helped decorate it this year, so it never was "perfect" but even the ribbon wrapped around the top has been mangled by flying footballs and other random objects. I found an orange in the tree last week and Kirt pulled a sippy cup out of it a few days ago. Don't forget to notice the heap of lights on the floor that have come unraveled. I'm told someday I'll look back on these times with nostalgia. Okay, if you say so?
Cal's school had their annual Holiday program last week. Cal's grade sang The Reindeer Twist. Cal was down in front and got to pick someone from the audience to come out and dance with them. I was given specific instructions on where I should be seated so he could find me easily. Owen was not crazy about being in front of a large audience, but he's been singing and dancing ever since.
One last pic from the beach that I forgot to post last time. It's not often that we get a picture of the whole family together. Oh yeah, and we never get one where everyone is looking at the camera, let alone smiling.

Leo Carillo State Beach

We had heard of this beach, but reached it out of desperation a few weeks ago. We headed to the beach for Christmas card pictures and the entire coast was sooo foggy. We just kept heading North until the fog cleared out. We ended up at Leo Carillo Beach and it was awesome.
This picture was taken the next Sunday when we went back with some friends for more pictures. We didn't time it very well, it was high tide and all the tide pools were submerged, but it rained for a few minutes and this awesome rainbow appeared. I don't think I've ever seen the beginning and the end of a rainbow like this one. Pretty sure I even saw a leprechaun at one end.
This was the first week when the tide was out. Tons of tide pools with sea stars, urchins. There are also hundreds of sand crabs everywhere.
A few pics that didn't make the Christmas card.
One of my favorites. As documented previously, I have a soft spot for the crazy pictures.

Another must-see for our Los Angeles readers is Candy Cane Lane in Woodland Hills. We drive through at least once a week during December. It's an entire neighborhood that pulls out all the stops for Christmas lights and decorations. Heading south on Corbin, turn left on Oxnard and you'll find it. The traffic can get a little backed up, but it's pretty awesome. See you there.

Mommy and Tessa have been tagged.

I've been tagged once again, actually Tessa and I have both been tagged. Mine is first, then a few facts about her. Can I just say that I love keeping in touch with everyone through these blogs? I have blogged about my love of Christmas cards, and I find the same satisfaction whenever new posts appear on my Google Reader. This first tag is from my great-aunt Kathie whom I haven't seen in quite some time and it's great to catch up with her and her family whenever I have a second. Tessa's tag is from one of my oldest friends, Betsey (Kirt makes fun of me when I say Betsey - he says it's when my Utah accent comes out. think I say it with a hard "t"?) Anyway,, Betsey is just one of many dear friends that I've been able to re-connect with - and all in our spare time. I love it! Okay, on to the tags:

1: Two names you go by: Kade, Cal's mom

2. Two things you are wearing right now: 1. Fuzzy pink bath robe 2.My wedding ring.

3: Two things you want very badly at the moment: 1. Breakfast 2. A few more hours in my day.

4: Two people who will most likely respond to this tag: 1. Libby 2. Holly (consider yourself tagged!)

5: Two things you did last night: 1. Decorated for the ward Christmas Party. 2. Grocery Store (can you stand the excitement?)

6: Two things you ate today: Nothing yet, I still have my retainer in. tmi?

7: People you just spoke with: 1. Cal 2. Tessa (kind of a one-sided conversation)

8: : Two things you're doing tomorrow: 1. Cooking a turkey for dinner 2. Game night

9: Two longest car rides: 1. Ogden to Phoenix 2. Ogden to San Francisco (just realized both of these trips were after visiting family for Christmas going to see the U play in bowl games. Kirt's still trying to figure out a way to get to the Sugar Bowl this year.)

10: Two favorite beverages: 1. Dr. Pepper 2. Water

11. What are your Two Favorite Things about Christmas: 1. Kids on Christmas morning 2. Christmas cards

Tessa's tag - A few months ago I did a little tag about all the kids, but Tess just had her 18 month dr. appointment, so it's a good time to post her stats:
34 inches tall, 23 lbs = 75th %tile for height, 25th%tile for weight
She's talking quite a bit. She says all of our names - my favorite thing is when she wanders around the house looking for Owen saying, "Owie, Owie." She also has her own versions of hi, banana, no, i want this, and even tries to count with us. She even tries to sing the alphabet song with me when I lay her down for bed. (She's sitting by me now playing with a bi-lingual toy and just said, "uno!"
She is officially a kid, no longer a baby for sure. She chases the older kids everywhere they go and does her best to imitate everything they do. She refuses to sit in her high chair and must sit at the table next to Owen to eat her meals.
It's funny how different girls are. When she was first born, we commented on how even her fingers were feminine, but even with trucks and dinosaurs all over the place here, she'll find her little kitties and babies and pull them out of the pile. We sure love having this little girl in our family.

New Additions

Taft and Lesha (my little bro and sil) welcomed a sweet little boy to their family last night. By all reports, despite being 2 weeks (!) overdue, Lesha did not look ready to deliver. She maintained about a 5 month baby bump until delivery. So we were all shocked when the baby weighed in at 9 pounds, 8 ounces! He's 23 inches long! I've never heard of a baby being that long at birth. We are so thrilled for them and can't wait to meet him in a few weeks. Babies are definitely the hardest thing about living away from family. (No offense to our moms.) Congrats guys!

And to our latest addition...
I can't get a decent picture of this because my good lens is in the shop (thanks again Owen). But this masterpiece was created by Kirt and his Dad on our roof this weekend. We had Kirt's parents and sister here for Thanksgiving. I managed to get a total of zero pictures of any of them, probably because we were too busy having an awesome visit. We got some Christmas shopping knocked out while Grandpa hung out with the little ones, another fab trip to Santa Barbara, and several other fun adventures while they were here. They didn't even mind heading to our friends' house for Thanksgiving dinner. (Thanks again Gay and Yosh.) The boys did some great work on the Christmas lights. I think this will be a traditional staple in our decor.

Where have I been?

Celebrating. That's where.
We enjoyed the Utah/BYU game at the Hansen's. It was a great game for the Utes, and a fabulous afternoon with friends (and foes.) If I could download the pics from my phone, I'd love to show you what we did to a Cougar-friend's car the night before. At 11:00 pm, Kirt and I headed over with all the kids asleep in the back seat of our car. We changed out his BYU license plate frame with a more fitting "U" one, and painted his windows to make sure he knew that Utah was BCS bound. I felt like I was in junior high again, toilet papering the neighbor's house and was about ready to pee my pants the whole time. I was sure we were going to get caught. Kirt still hasn't quit laughing at me - he keeps asking "what did you think was going to happen if we got caught?" I hadn't thought that far, I was just reveling in the feeling of rebellion.
The Cougars and Utes making peace after the game. Madagascar brings us all together. See Tessa's pony-tail on top of her head? It was her first, and she's had one every day since. She is finally growing some hair and doesn't mind having it combed once in a while.
Despite the overwhelming number of Cougars, there were only a few cookies left out of the 4 plates that I brought. Good cookies, not good picture.
And, as previously mentioned, Owen turned 3. This was the "big" cake that he requested and helped me make. We had a quiet family birthday, with dinner at Owen's choice: Chili's. Then cake and ice cream at home after unwrapping presents.
Owen got a bike from his aunts and uncles. He loves cruising around the neighborhood on this bad boy. Thanks guys! He loved the card too - stinkerpants sandwich.
And a scooter. He has always loved these scooters, and has figured out how to ride it pretty well, despite the age suggestion of 6 on the box.
Tessa enjoying the ice cream. As we were walking through the store, Owen spotted some ice cream cones. I told him to throw them in the cart. It was, after all, his birthday. What I didn't realize until we opened them that night was that they were so tiny. Tess has not even begun to eat the cone in this picture. I need a melon baller to scoop ice cream into them. Makes for a great bedtime snack.