Christmas Vacation

And then finally, Christmas vacation. It felt like it was a long time coming this year!

We opted for digital cards (i.e. Facebook post) again this year.  And you know what, I feel liberated! One less thing to stress about during this busy time of year.

First up we went to the skirball Noah's ark exhibit.  Scott had been before but I was pregnant with Owen and Mimi and Auntie and the kids and Aunt Charlotte had never been.  It was a super fun and memorable day for everyone.

If you haven't been and you get the chance, I highly recommend it. 

Two nights before Christmas we were able to hit up Candy Cane Lane.

Dodgeball.  Of course. 

And finishing up some hand made gifts.

And then it was Christmas morning.  Owen so badly wanted a mermaid pillow.  And Santa came through. 

And then it became a Christmas of sports.

Water polo. 

A new bat.  A new basketball.  A new football.

Sports.  Love language.  This has been established.

Late on Christmas day we dropped off the RV at Rincon for some post holiday camping before heading to Mimi and Papa's for Christmas dinner. 

Cousin Christmas fun

And then we camped at the beach for a few days.  Because nothing beats a California Christmas. 

Winter wonderland indeed.

We were home before new years with enough days off to plan some hikes with friends. 

And a must document:  Owen's Kevin McCallister hair post shower. 

New Year's eve.  Not complete without some spelling practice. 

Then we partied til midnight with our buddies. 

The beauty of this Christmas break was that after the new year we will had a week of vacation.

Our next adventure was a bike ride to Ojai.  Almost 20 miles round trip.

The boys crushed it.  It helped that we refueled with ice cream in Ojai. 

Trees growing out of the middle of the street, Ojai is one of my favorite towns!

We also went to Channel Islands national park and visited with my retired first grade teacher (sadly no picture) and I got to introduce her to my first grader (and kindergartener).