The World's BEST Nutcracker

Alex and Ben put on the World's finest Nutcracker Ballet today. They put on the music and then they whirled and twirled and spun and danced. It was phenomenal! The hat Alex wore was definitely a well added touch! What talented and gifted children I have!

Gingerbread house

OK - It really should be called a gingerbread slum! It was the funniest thing I have ever witnessed! I had to shower halfway through because I apparently made the icing to runny and had it in my hair - all over. Nothing would stick together - it just kept sliding off. Alex and Ben did not seem to care - just more icing and candies for them to eat. The only place the candies would stick was on the their noses! Frosting is a food group, right? I did not even realize Ben was licking the table until I saw the pictures! I guess this is one of my things that seemed like a good idea at the time!

Soup Plantation

I love it when my mom comes to visit. I get to eat at Soup Plantation. Alex and Ben love to go their too. their favorite is the ice cream! YUMMY!

Dr. Evil

Dan showed Ben and Alex dry ice today and they loved watching when he poured water on it.

I am not too sure he planned on what shirt to wear, but it fits!

Harrah's!

Nothing says family like a weekend at a casino! We loaded up everyone and went out to Harrah's for a few days of loosing money. It was a lot of fun. I do not think my dad was ready for Alex's growth spurt that allowed her to eat her scrambled eggs and pancakes, and still help Grandpa finish his breakfast too! They love the pool and were fish most of the day.

Playing at the beach

What a beautiful day it is for a splashing in the ocean. Alex and Ben were jumping the waves and having a super time until... a huge wave knocked all 32 pounds of Ben over. He was soaked! It was so funny, and I of course, always being a mom who wants to preserve their childhood, took a picture first - then asked him if he was OK. He of course was all smiles and said, "I think I wiped out!"

Hotel Del Coronado

We had our annual family holiday brunch at the Hotel Del this morning. I look forward to going here all year. This is by far one of my favorite things to do. I just love old hotels. I think Alex and Ben spend all year looking forward to the chocolate fountain- OK me too! It was a wonderful day and I am bummed that this is my last year. Guess I better start looking for a neat old hotel up north!

Glory of Christmas

We went with Jordan and Mrs. Harp up to Anaheim to the Crystal Cathedral to see the Glory of Christmas. We started out with a delicious dinner at the Purple Turkey and a ride on a fabulous Merry Go Round. We then went to the Crystal Cathedral's Glory of Christmas. The Glory of Christmas features all the traditional scenes of Jesus' birth from Mary and Joseph's engagement through their trip to Bethlehem and the visit of the three kings. (we got our pictures with two of the three kings and a Roman guard) There were live adult camels, horses and other livestock on stage rather than cardboard cutouts. There were three adult camels, six horses, a llama, a burro, a donkey, sheep and goats. The most amazing part was when the angels fly through the air! The angels were mounted from the ceiling, and they soar as high as 80-feet and travel as fast as 25 miles per hour. The music was fabulous and we all had a wonderful. What a magical evening!

Christmas

Our living room exploded gifts! Alex and Ben were thrilled when they woke up this morning. There were gifts everywhere. There are too many wonderful gifts to list. Alex loved her keyboard and microphone - because what 6 year old does not need amplified! Ben loves his basketball game and thinks he rocks when he plays and keeps saying, "I am the best, aren't I Mommy!" I of course tell him yes! It was a very exciting morning and we all had a wonderful day!

More Christmas

After they finally finished opening their plethora of gifts, they took their brooms that Mr. Dibble got them and went outside to sweep the sidewalk! It was so funny. They wanted to go rake his leaves too, but we had to tell them to wait- 6:00 in the morning is perhaps a tad too early to rake leaves! I really liked that Ben and Alex were so excited to give each other with what they had bought for one another. Alex picked out a Star Wars figure and Ben picked Alex a Hello Kitty purse. It is neat to see such a love between the two of them.