We got ready for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving this year. Probably a first for us ever! The girls had a blast putting decorations on the tree, well Rachel enjoyed taking them off a little more than putting them on. Andrea is now old enough to put decorations on the entire tire. We plugged the tree in and realized that the lights on the top half of the tree did not work any more. I switched the fusses, but nothing worked, so we couldn't have a tree without lights, but we were too cheap to go and buy a new one, so I wrapped a set of lights around the top part of the tree. So, with the random placement of lights on the tree and ornaments on only the top two thirds of the tree our tree was quite the site. :-)
"Rachel don't touch that" was what was going on in this picture.
Daddy helped Andrea put the star on the top!
Trying to get a cute picture of the girls in front of the tree. I chose this picture because it showed their personalities perfectly. Rachel just having a good time no matter what and Andrea being a tease.
"Ha ha, I got one Dad!!!"
Yep, there goes little Rachel again! Andrea being a cute little tease.
How could she get anymore adorable. Her personality is honestly so adorable. Rachel is such a good baby/toddler. She is so easy going and delighted by everything.
We love bubble beards! The girls love taking bubble baths.
Rachel is obsessed with climbing inside of the dishwasher. As soon as she sees it open up she rushes over and climbs in. It's adorable for now as long as she doesn't break it.
The weather has been nice enough to still go to the park. We go to the park with the Ranbows often. Rachel loves her baby dolls. She is so cute with them.
Mom, Andrea, Rachel, and Tayla playing together at the park.
During the Christmas holiday San Jose has an outdoor ice skating rink in the middle of several palm trees. It was quite pricey just like everything else in San Jose, but the three of us got in for $10 a piece because we dressed in Hawaiin Attire. Hawaiian Airlines is one of the big sponsors of the ice rink. So we had leis and Andrea had a grass skirt. Andrea was actually really good at ice skating. By the time we were done she could go about 8 feet by herself and skate (walk) her way over to the wall.
We had to take turns with Andrea because one of us had to watch Rachel off the ice. Daddy's turn with Andrea. We still took Rachel on the ice for just a few minutes.
You can see the beautiful palm trees behind Andrea.
We saw some huge penguins decorating the hotel next to the ice rink. Rachel thought they were so cuddly. She and Andrea had to kiss and hug them.
After ice skating we went to one of the most spectacular Christmas celebrations I've ever been to. It was called "Bethlehem" It was put on my a Bible church I believe. They set up a market place to look just like Bethlehem probably looked that night. All the cast members were in costume and they had different shops that you could walk around to and try to die cloth, make bread, start a fire for the black smith, etc. They also had Roman soldiers that kept marking past with their spears in hand. The best part was the play that they had going on throughout the marketplace. It slowly moved through out the marketplace telling about the details of the Saviors birth, until it lead to the stable where baby Jesus was. They had all live animals including a real donkey that the wise men road in on. It was absolutely fantastic!!! Our camera ran out of batteries otherwise I would have more pictures, but this is Andrea at the Blacksmith shop and sheep cage.
Trying to get a beautiful picture of a beautiful girl who wants only to be able to reach all the ornaments on the Christmas tree. :-)
The girls helped me clean all day. I thought it was so adorable the two of them with wipes wiping down everything they could reach. The glass window, the outside of the fridge, and even inside the fridge!
My cute little dance girls on the rehearsal day before their recital. They look so cute. The recital actually went really well considering that many of the girls are not even potty trained. They was a lot of chasing little girls and putting them back into their spot though. :-) Saide yelled, "I need to poop."
Rachel loves to try and dance like Andrea and Mommy. So adorable in her Tu Tu. I was trying to put Christmas Cards together while I watched them dance.
Andrea's first day of Gymnastics! She was fantastic! She had nice strong legs and tummy muscles, and pointed toes!
Off to Arizona for Christmas!
Out to lunch with the ladies of the family. Aunt Melanie, Andrea, and Colette.
All of us ladies. It was lots of fun and eventful with three little girls. :-)
All of us ladies. It was lots of fun and eventful with three little girls. :-)
Swinging at the park with Melanie and Colette. The park only had two swings and Andrea and Rachel are so skinny that I put them in the same swing together. :-) They actually fit pretty well.
Andrea made a new friend. Andrea is very nice and social. She makes new friends everywhere that she goes.
Rachel and Colette playing in the sand.
Look at those cute smiles.
Playing peek-a-boo!
Out for a walk to the duck pond with Chloe to feed the ducks some bread.
Decorating Sugar Cookies for Christmas. Even Great Grandma Boy is frosting the cookies.
Sharing the stroller. Rachel was used to sharing a stroller, so she loved it, but Colette was trying to figure out what in the world was going on. She wanted her space.
Aunt Melanie and Andrea made a gingerbread house. They did a fantastic job. Andrea was putting the last touches on the roof.
A day at Phoenix Zoo. The weather was beautiful. We had a lot of fun. The girls really enjoyed it.
A Fantastic view of the Giraffes.
They mean business.
Andrea and Rachel loved the goats. at the petting zoo.
Back at Scudder Park. Melanie and Colette going down the slide.
Now it was Andrea's turn to ride with Colette. Again, Colette is wondering what in the world is going on.
Grandma swinging with Colette.
Matt, Melanie, and Colette at the temple lights. It was a little bit chilly, but beautiful lights.
Steve had to work, so Mooker helped me with the kids. He pushed Rachel in the stroller. She's trying to touch the lights.
Our Bentz family Christmas party. Sarah and Spencer with great with Andrea and Rachel. All four of them playing the piano at once.
Daddy got to be the MC/Conductor. Everyone taking turns performing.
Spencer may have stolen my camera during the program.
Melanie was teaching Andrea how to play the flute.
Mooker and Mom played and sang Styx "Come Sail Away"
The Jarvis family and our little Rachel.
The Jarvis family with all three of the little girls.
It was fun for Melanie and I to help Rachel and Colette open their identical presents. It's hilarious how they are both eating their presents in this picture.
Colette got a Blue Clues dog. Yea!
Rachel opening her Blues Clues dog. Rachel loves dogs!
Andrea got a tea party set from Great Auntie Marje.
Telling Auntie Marje "Thank you."
Spencer got a lap top from Autnie Sharon for Christmas. I think he's a little excited.
Rachel is trying to help Auntie Sharon with the presents.
Rachel loves the little rocking chair that's been handed down for many generations.
Christmas Day!!!! Wow, the tree has so many presents!
Andrea rushed in and the first thing she found was a present for Colette and Rachel. Andrea and Rachel opening up some presents.
Santa gave Andrea some clip on earings in her stocking. She was so happy. She really wanted those.
Andrea got a doll house just like she had asked for in her letter to Santa.
Rachel got a Packer Sippy from Grandma and Grandpa Bentz. So awesome.
Daddy got a Raspberry Pi!! Yea!!!
We made a DVD which contained several short video clips of Andrea and Rachel and gave it to the Grandparents and Great Grandparents.
Grandma Boy tied this blanket for Mooker to take with him to BYU.
Grandma got a cast iron skillet that was big enough to hold Colette inside of it.
Dad got a new surround sound for Christmas. The boys spent the afternoon setting it up while the girls went and watched Les Mesirables. It was fantastic, but I cried through most of the movie.
We gave dad the speaker wire first before the surround sound.
Playing at Kawainis park just before the boys left to go golfing.
I love this picture of the two girls peeking out of the tunnel. So adorable. Rachel and Andrea play so great together. I am so happy that they love each other so much.
Little Rachel is so cute and energetic.
We were surrounded by pigeons and ducks. Watch where you step. :-)
We got a wii for Christmas, so set it up just before we left. Andrea loved the bowling.
Even Great Grandma Boy gave bowling a try.
Cuddling her baby that she got from Great Grandma Boy for Christmas. We had a nice relaxing trip to Arizona. Steve only had to work for the first few days. Other than that it was his most relaxing vacation to Arizona since we've been married.
Family Pictures while there for the Christmas Break.
Off to Utah for the New Year.
As soon as we got to Utah we headed up to the cabin to play in the snow. There was plenty of snow everywhere. It was a cold winter in Utah. Some nights were even 20 below in Manti.
Rachel really liked the snow as long as the sun wasn't in her eyes, but even then she really didn't complain.
At first Andrea was terrified of sleds, but by the time we left she really liked sledding.
Rachel really liked the snow as long as the sun wasn't in her eyes, but even then she really didn't complain.
At first Andrea was terrified of sleds, but by the time we left she really liked sledding.
Grandma Barclay giving her a boost.
Rachel going down the hill with Grandma Barclay.
Steve spent the day digging a snow cave. The older Grand kids loved it and embellished it as the week went on.
Kayla and her Landon. He weighs a few pounds more than Rachel and he's just barely shorter than her even though he is 6 months younger than her. He is a big boy, but so adorable! I believe he weighs 22 lbs and Rachel weighs 19 lbs.
Andrea and Zoee eating the snow. :-) So cute! Andrea got so brave that she even rode on a tube behind the side by side with Zoee and Ben and Tues.
Daddy completely inside of his snow cave. I'm impressed with how deep he got it.
Grandma Barclay and baby Landon.
Grandma Barclay pulling Zoee and Andrea in the sled.
The snow was so beautiful the next morning that it looked as though there were small diamonds in the air.
The older grandkids and Steve turned the snow cave into an igloo cave. They carved out ice blocks and stacked them up. 
It was so fun for the older kids.
How many people can we fit on the sled. Rachel, Kaydence, Zoee, and McKadee.
Leah and Rachel on the sled.
Kaydence and McKadee laying in the snow.
Aubrey and Britanee standing next to their creation.
Casen was obsessed with sledding. We could not get him to come in. It didn't matter how many times he went down and had to climb back up, he wanted to keep doing it.
Poor little Rachel was teething, but look at those gorgeous eyes!
Opening up gifts from the cousins. She got a purse dog from Zoee.
McKadee was opening a gift from Andrea. A Princess story book.
Andrea got a toaster and food from Brooke and Leah. She was so excited!
Saying Thank you to Brooke. So sweet.
Casen, Leah, and Kaydence got rockets. The parents took over the toys and had a rocket fight for about 10 minutes. It was actually rather scary. I just stood back and tried to keep Rachel out of the way. Don't let Scott and Markell take over the kid toys it's not very safe. :-)
We gave mom and dad a calendar and video for Christmas.
I also made a Zumba and Powertone workout video for my mom for Christmas. I gave it to all the sisters as well, but originally I made it for my mom per her request. I was so excited to see her response to the gift. :-)
We set off floating lanterns on New Years Eve. It was so fun. Each family got their own lantern.
Grandpa's got stuck in the tree. Thank goodness it went out before the tree started on fire.
William taking over the mic.
Singing Girls Just Wanna Have fun or some other all girl song.
Great Gandpa Barclay cuddling with Rachel on a bean bag. Happy New Year!
Look at all those girls! Go Girls! Way to dance!
It was a great new year celebration.Tons of little kids running around, a little bit loud, but lots of fun.
1 comment:
I'm glad you were able to vacation for so long and hang out with family. And thanks for stopping by for a minute, for fitting us in!
I love those lanterns. They were illegal for the 4th last year but they are so magical, like in Tangled.
I cried through les mis too. I LOVED it.
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