2014~A Look Back...

Out of Commission ...

I was trying to be a good grammy, and  

put "Minecraft" on my laptop for the boys

to play while they are here at the MH...

I know Mac's aren't supposed to get a virus, but mine got a type of one

on Safari.  Talk about panic...YIKES!

Luckily I found a place here in San Clemente that works on Mac's

and my beloved computer is good as new!

At home I have an external hard drive that automatically backs up my

computer weekly, but I haven't been able to here.  

It's actually was a problem with the program for the Mac version.  Traci had

the same thing happen, but since her computer was brand new, she took it

to the Apple store and had it fixed.  

So now I'm back in business and ready to blog all my holiday stories.

Holiday Surf Contest...

last Saturday we got to go to a Scholastic Surf Contest that Lauren was doing

at Oceanside Harbor.

It was cold and windy.

We actually got to see a couple of friends of ours that our boys

all did contest together when they were Lauren's age.

now instead of "surfing moms" we were "surfing grandmas"!

Lauren actually surfed in two divisions, shortboard and longboard.

This is what her uncle Geoff used to do too.

her coach is actually someone that we knew from church and he went to school 

with Geoff.  He also happens to be her Spanish teacher.

We were so proud of our little surfer girl!

Christmas Performance...

Last Friday we got to go to Miss Emerson's Christmas performance at her

pre-school.  She was so darn cute.  She knew every single song and all the hand motions.

it was so cute when she spotted her cousin Jack in the audience and gave

him a big smile and a wave.

she was so cute when Santa came in.  She doesn't really care for him and

was trying so hard not to cry.  We were so proud of her.

proud parents

Emme and her BFF, Luca Bella

Mrs. Smith and her sweet little class.

so glad that we were able to be here for this.

We love you Emme!

Oh Christmas Tree, 2014 edition...

One of our family traditions is the decorating of the 

tree at the MH.

Our tree here is just a smallish, artificial tree with multi-colored lights.

What makes it so special is that it's decorated every year by the grands.

All of the ornaments are unbreakable, so there isn't any worry 

about spoiling anything.

We noticed this year that now the tree is decorated all the way to the

top because the kids are so much taller, they can go all the way up.

Emme got to help poppa put on his "cherished Mexican (ugly) ornament"

it was Laurens turn to put the star on the top...they take turns every year.

these four are the most cherished things of all

(yes, even Chloe got into the picture)

We love this four and love this tradition.

Up On A House Top...

Grey and Emme decorated  gingerbread houses the other night.

Quite a lot of work went into these creations...

all by themselves.  Miss Emme even told her parents to leave

them alone!

they're quite the works of art

and each show the personality of their designer...loads of sweet candy and perfect precision.

and they smell pretty good too!

Polar Express Comes To A9...

Last week we did Close Reading with my very favorite book,

"The Polar Express".

Our homework packet, spelling and Language Arts was all about

the book.

I was surprised how many kids hadn't seen the book or even the movie, so

it was extra special for them.

When we finished on Friday, each of them got their own bell.

I brought in my own Christmas bell and let them ring it.

During the movie we made hot cocoa (you have to have it right?).

Kids were just enthralled with the movie.

After the movie we discussed it and I was surprised how many of them

got the message and said that they just loved it. 

Believe