The Magic of Christmas........

Christmas is a magical time of year. I love everything about it.......the baking, decorating, shopping, wrapping, Christmas cards, and most important time spent with family, and friends!! It was even more magical this year with Brooke. She loved it all just as much as I do!!! She smiled, laughed, and enjoyed every moment of the Christmas season.............okay one thing she didn't always enjoy was Mommy's pictures (LOL) She was either super cheese or I am just going to stare at this camera, but the most important part are the memories that were made and boy were they WONDERFUL AND MAGICAL!!!!

Look what Santa left us!!

Brooke, Grammy and Granite Lori

Christmas Day finally arrived and I sprung out of bed because I couldn't wait to see the excitement on Brooke's face when she saw all the gifts Santa had brought her. Brooke told every Santa she met and everyone that asked that she wanted a black pony...........so Santa brought her a black pony!!! She was sooo excited!!!! She thought the stocking was great and loved that gifts kept coming out of it. She loved opening all the presents and of course wanted to take them all out of the package and play, play, play. We saved one big gift from Grammy until the very end............THE BARBI MUSTANG!!! She was thrilled and jumped in right away. She and Brennan rode around forever! It was hilarious! We had a yummy breakfast and then prepared for the rest of the family to arrive. Grandpa, Auntie Lori, and Cousin Kyle joined us for the afternoon and dinner. It was nice to have them in Rocklin and share in a wonderful Christmas Brooke and Brennan were such good playmates and had so much fun together. I love having all my family together!!! Of course we missed Kailynn and our loved ones that have passed on.

My little angel!

Our last Christmas Eve-just the three of us!

Looking and waiting for Santa

Opening her gift that Santa delivered-She loved it!!

Caroling, Caroling, Caroling..........

On Christmas Eve we hung out around the house with Toby, Tien, Brennan and Grammy. Grammy had an Open House for my side of the family. It was so good to see family and friends that I don't get to see too often. We then headed to Milbrae for the "Swedish Christmas Eve" We enjoyed a wonderful night of eating, caroling, gifts, and a visit from Santa. Brooke loved following her big second cousins around. She eagerly awaited Santa's visit and introduced herself the second he walked through the door. She was so excited to get a new Princess dress and a Snow White doll. She loved listening to all the caroling and was a such a good sport for staying up WAY past her bed time. Christmas Eve is a such a wonderful evening and the Gustafson family are all so great.






As always the Christmas season brings lots of visiting with family and friends, which also means traveling for us. We headed down to the Bay Area on the 23rd and stopped to visit Great Grandma Seffens in San Francisco and Grandma and Grandpa Seffens in Belmont. Brookie got lots of nice gifts and loved spending time with her grandparents. She really liked Grandpa's guitar and entertained us with some Taylor Swift songs. We then headed to Grammy's for a very quick nap and then off the see the Lunds and Tara. Krista made yummy appitizers, beef stew, and dessert! Katelyn and Brooke loved playing with eachother (they are 1 month apart) and for the third year in a row Krista and I found a matching outfits for them. Krista and I had matching bellies too-since our next baby girls are due 12 days apart! It was so great to see Tara and catch up with good friends. (There will be pictures from Krista too come.........I don't bring my camera-since she is the professional!)

Holiday Tradition!

We started a tradition of gingerbread house building with my niece Kailynn 6 years ago. Each year we have built a gingerbread house with her. Scott builds the house and I help her decorate. Anyone who knows Scott might be surprised by this but that man can BUILD AN AWESOME GINGERBREAD HOUSE!!!! We continued the tradition this year with Brookie but sadly Kailynn is heading to Florida for Christmas, so it was just daddy and Brookie..............building, decorating, the works!! Brooke loved holding the sides up for dad and of course greatly enjoyed sticking all the candy on the house and some in her mouth!!!! Look at their hard work!

Princess and the Frog

Today Brooke and I went with our friends Danielle and Rylee to see the new movie Princess and the Frog. It was a very cute little movie and Brooke enjoyed her first trip to the movie theater. I was a little worried (since she has never watched a movie that long) but she did really well. She got a little bored in the middle so we took a potty break and on our way back to the bathroom she shouted-I want to see more movie! She liked the movie and all the music (she even got out of her seat and danced) She gobbled down her popcorn and enjoyed some m & m's (what is a movie without some treats)! It was a very fun mommy and daughter outing! I look forward to watching more Princess movies in the future!

Sweet Celebrations!

Thanks Grammy for these cool aprons!!!

Frosting .............yum!

Here are our cookies for Santa!!!!


This is our second year of making cookies for Santa. This year we added new aprons that Grammy made! Once again it was super fun and the girls were really independent this year. They rolled the dough, cut out the shapes, and frosted their cookies...........and I can't forget........they decorated with sprinkles. I hope Santa doesn't get a tummy ache from all the sprinkles!! All the kids were caught dipping in the frosting bowls for a little taste of the frosting. They had such a wonderful time!

Look at our new gifts!!!!!!

After the cookie making we had our annual Evo/Seffens Christmas dinner and gift opening. Brooke was SOOOOO excited to open her gift!!! She got a stuffed Mickey and Goofy doll, and some new princess jammies! When she saw Mickey and Goofy she threw both her arms up in the air and screamed -YEAH! We gave Trev and Mar personalized toiletry bags (which their mom had been searching for but was havng not luck) and Marren got a Cinderella doll. Trev liked walking around with his frog bag and Mar was already attached to Cinderella! It is so nice to share in another special holiday with good friends.

Two tiny little reindeer...........

Let there be Light(s)

There is an amazing block of houses that goes all out for Christmas. They put up lights everywhere and have cut out characters from Disney movies or famous shows. There is trains, Santa, snowmen, princesses, Mickey & Friends, etc. This is our third year going and this year we even went twice!! The first time we went with the Lauers and the Impeys. It was was a rainy night so we piled in the back of Scott's truck and let the kids look at them from the bed of the truck. The girls loved it and were shouting out the characters names from the truck! Brooke talked about it all week and was looking forward to going again!

5 little girls with 2 more on the way...........YIKES!

Our second trip was with the Evos, but this time we pulled the wagon and strollers so the kids could a closer view of all the characters and lights. The girls loved pointing and getting next to their favorite characters. They shouted with joy when they would see Santa, Snowmen, Rudolph or a princess. They were so enthralled with all the action (sometimes so much so that Brookie wouldn't stop for a smile..........lol) We can't wait to go back again next year-I am sure the girls will know even more characters next year!!!

It is so amazing this year to watch how much joy all the Christmas Happenings are bringing Brooke. She is loving every minute of Christmas and so are we!

Getting Ready to check out the lights!

Brooke's Favorite Princess (Snow White)

Boy I am tired........Lets lay down for a minute