Our California Christmas

This year was our first Christmas in California. The weather was cooler than last December, but not uncomfortably cold. We used our cozy gas fireplace a lot. (And we are still paying for it! oops! We had a HUGE gas bill in January!)  

First Christmas Eve at our church's candlelight service. I wasn't sure how the kids would do being in the service with us the whole time. Anna Kate didn't make it the whole time, but Emily and Caleb did pretty well. 

I could not get a photo of all the children or the whole family on Christmas Eve. Anna Kate was NOT feeling it. I'll just have to be thankful for these blurry iPhone photos of Em and C. 

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

We had a simple day at home with food, presents, and lots of play with new toys. We wore PJs most of the day. It was relaxing and wonderful.

I love this photo of the kids even though AK's hair is crazy! Wish I would have taken a moment to fix it, but this is how they looked first thing in the morning on Christmas day. 

Not too many pics of Jeremy and me as we were still looking pretty rough! ha!

Guess where Emily is pointing? Someone we love lives there.

Heart Melting! They are usually eager to give baby sister kisses. 

I made a cranberry breakfast casserole, a traditional egg/sausage/grits casserole, fresh fruit and cinnamon rolls. I love Christmas morning breakfast. To enjoy good food, coffee, and presents without being in a rush is one of the best gifts. 

These were in the kids' stockings from Santa. They were a big hit. Caleb said he was "Mr. Potatohead."

Sunday sweetness. I believe this was the first Sunday in January. I

Christmas night at the Wards home.

Happy New Year little ladies

Jeremy took off two weeks at Christmas. I have gotten very spoiled to him having so much time off around the holidays. It is such a blessing. Most of his colleagues take off a lot of time at the end of the year. Many people are transplants like us and need to travel to see family or they take vacations. So, even if he went into the office, it's kind of a ghost town. He worked a little on side projects. Mostly, he was just with us. We tried to make the time off for Emily fun. We took her ice skating. I took all the kids to a jumpy house place one day. We enjoyed dinners with friends, a zoo trip, and festive outings to see Christmas lights. Thankful for another year to have and hold this beautiful family of mine.

A zoo trip with the Frasers during Christmas break