Before Christmas

There is no possible way to describe how excited we were to go home to California for Christmas. Unfortunately our usual long vacation had some hang ups. Cory started a new job after Thanksgiving and was not going to have time off other than Christmas day. His work was nice and let him have Christmas Eve off but he had to fly home Christmas night for work the next day.

So we jumped in the car on Friday the 21 and spent the first two days with his family before he had to leave. As always, it was a blast. If only the weather had not been rainy so we could have had family beach time together. 

Donuts with Grandpa

Helping Nana decorate cookies

Notice how this smile appears quite often? Apparently that is her happy face. 

 She loves her doll from Aunt Kristy and Cory.

 Finally meeting Grandpa for the first time. 

Every year my family decorates gingerbread (gram cracker) houses. It is one of my favorite traditions ever. I was busy helping Jocelyn build hers and was unable to get many pictures but here are the ones I do have. 

 Calli with Aunt Alisha.

 Is that my cousin in there?

Stephen and Alisha built the UT tower. We were worried it would tip over shortly after, but when I left on January 3 it was still standing. 

 For the last...I am not even sure how many years our friend and also former Choir teacher and her family have joined us in this tradition. After building their house she always plays carols on the piano. Jocelyn thought this was the best part of all. She sat and "played" and sang almost the whole time.

Cory, decided to take an adventure and ended up returning with his own Christmas present to himself. A very large helicopter. All the other guys seemed to like it as well.