Solo Rider

Ready, Set, Go!

Brooke decided she wanted to take the training wheels off her new bike because her friend at school always rides his bike. So we took them off and a few weeks ago Scott took her out for a few minutes to try it out. She was scared to fall and was very wobly. Then with the busy schedule with the holidays we haven't had a chance to go for a second try. Well Scott wanted to make that his Christmas break "project". Little did he know it would be so easy. He took Brooke to the park on Monday and they came back about 20 minutes later with big smiles. She had done it -the very first time!!!!! So we went back with Grammy in the afternoon so we could see her go. It was so exciting! She can go all over the place and rides fast. The look on her face of how proud she was..........it was priceless! We are now working on stopping and using the breaks!

Christmas Dinner

The Vares/Seffens Family
The whole gang

The cooks

Granite Lori, Stoli and Bri Bri

Showing off their gifts.........scooter and Angry Bird stuffies

The West came over later and played make up with Kailynn

We hosted Christmas dinner this year. Mom and I prepped much of the food before so we could enjoy the company. Then Tien and I were in charge in the kitchen. We had a great time catching up with the family, gobbling up the turkey dinner, sharing gifts, and lots of laughs! I am so glad the family could make the trip up here and we could enjoy the festivities together

Christmas Morning

Yeah Santa!

Grammy and her grandkids
Kailynn and Santa Claus (Kailynn bought him the shirt)

Brooke got the two wheeled scooter she asked for from SantaBri got her very own kitchen

Brennan got his Power Rangers

The cowgirl horse-a must have

My favorite part of Christmas is waking up and seeing all the stockings lined up and the excitement of the kids running down the stairs to see what Santa brought them. It has been so nice to have my extended family with us too! The kids were so excited this year and were ripping through presents to see what Santa had brought them. I think everybody got what they wanted!

Christmas Eve

The Seffens Family ready to go

The entire family

We got a picture of the whole group

The kiddos goofing around

Santa came to visit

So excited for Santa!

Santa brought the girls Pillow Pets, which is what Brooke was certain they needed

Christmas Eve is always filled with great times.........catching up, Santa visits, presents everywhere, yummy Swedish food, and of course the famous Christmas carols.........Another successful and fun year

Christmas "Build up"

Toby and Brennan decorating cookies for Santa
Gingerbread houses!!!

My mom's friend Fran gave us some Gingerbread houses and giant gingerbread men to decorate. So on Christmas Eve morning we thought it was a good activity for the kids! They had lots of fun deocrating and building.

Let there be Lights!!!

Bri's favorite movie-Shrek! She was jumping up and down when she saw the "baby shreks"
Sponge Bob-K diggity's favorite

Beauty and the Beast

Marren and Brooke hangin' with Ariel

The Vares' with Scooby

Brennan and Trevy posing with Mater

Cousins ready to go look at some lights

Every year we walk the street in Rocklin with these incredible lights. The night prior we were supposed to go but all the kids were so tired. We decided to wait and walk them with the Evos and my our SoCal family. So Toby and family, Grammy , the Eovs and our family hopped in our cars and headed over. We got the kids bundled and walked around looking at all the different lights and characters.

Cookies for Santa

Marren, Brooke, Brianne, and Trevor

Rolling out the dough

Cutie making some cookies

Little froster......not sure if they got more in their mouths or on the cookies

Brooke said, "this is what I always wanted!"Little builder

Loving her Dora doll

This is our 3rd year of the Christmas cookie bananza.........It is getting a little easier each year and the girls are quite the little bakers. The kids had a blast decorating the cookies.....and EATING it! I swear they ate half of it. We exchanged presents after dinner. The kids all loved their gifts! Its fun to have such great friends to continue these traditions with. The kids love these traditions which makes it even better to see the smiles on their faces!