Christmas

This year was a Sadler Christmas. Two of my sisters couldn't make it but My oldest sister who has 3 kids was able to come up. We had Christmas at my parents new house and since we don't live too far, we decided to head over in the morning rather than trying to figure out a sleeping arrangement there. So we headed over after the kids woke up and then we had to wait over on one side of the house for everyone to finish setting up all the presents. John's Parents came over too and brought a ton of presents.

We hung out for awhile, ate oranges, played and got breakfast in the oven. My battery died before we even got over to the other side of the house to do the stockings and open presents. (I did bring spare batteries but they didn't work either) I tried to get the pictures from my Dad and John's Dad. But they turned out fuzzy and John's dad was doing mostly video and I don't have the software to take the pictures out. I should be getting more from my sister who I know got some really cute pictures. But until then here is what I've got.

Christmas Eve we had Michael write a note to Santa (Ok John wrote it, but it LOOKS like Michael did) and we put it on the tree for him.

It says, "Dear Santa, Mommy, Daddy, Michael and Vivian are going to Grandma's house for Christmas. Please put the presents at their house. Love, M,D,M,V" And then John told Michael to draw a picture of Grandma's house so that Santa would know where to go.
Here is all the presents I wrapped Christmas Eve for the kids and all our family. The littler ones in the middle are the ones Michael picked out at the Dollar store for his cousins. He even helped me wrap them.
This is my mom's Christmas Tree.

WIth ALL the presents.

And more presents. You can't even see the ones that were behind the gate. The Food Max bags are all the stuff John's parents brought over.

Then here is all the stockings. Yeah it was a pretty crowded Christmas, but it was so awesome to share it with so much family. We sure missed my other sisters and their husbands though.

Then here is the line-up ready to go open presents. We were trying to get them in age order: Katie, Vivian, Michael, Matthew and Rebecca.

And then my camera died. But know that they all had a ton of fun. Rebecca and Matthew like playing with their toys as they open them and Michael just wanted to open presents. I am glad they were distracted though because if they hadn't been, they were old enough to figure out that Michael got way more presents than them because he had 2 sets of Grandparents there (plus parents that went a little overboard).

I thought it would be fun to see our Christmas last year which was a Bowmen Christmas, and harder times for all of us. These are all the presents for Michael, Vivian and cousin Abby. (Most of them we got for free)
Plus these 3 toys from Santa.
Vivian wasn't too into the whole present thing then, I can't believe how little she looks. And in this picture, she TOTALLY looks like Michael.
Michael also grew up a lot this year. I can't believe he's almost 4.
Then this present came a few days after Christmas. We told him Santa forgot it so he sent it in the mail.
Hope you enjoyed the flashback. And I'll try to get the pictures from my sister soon.

Setting up the Christmas Tree

Yes... I am aware these pictures were taken over two months ago. But they are so adorable and for any of you who know me, realize how big of a deal it is for me to actually let my children touch the Christmas tree (or anything else not labled "toy"). Of course fluffing the branches was all I let them do, after they went to bed I put a gate around it and then all the ornaments on it myself. But I'm glad I was able to let go of my paranoia long enough to get these pictures. Enjoy!!!

"Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas!"

Disneyland

So my Brother-in-Law, Evan Mountford, graduated from Chiropractic school in December. My sister decided to throw him a big graduation party and since family was coming down we also threw in a trip to Disneyland since their passes were about to expire. I left John here by himself for 4 days and drove down with my mom and another couple that are really good friends of Emily and Evan's. It was such a help to have them along, it gave Michael someone else to talk to besides me. My dad drove down in a different car with my Grandpa which turned out to be a good thing because they ended up leaving town early to take my Grandpa to the emergency room up here so that they wouldn't get stuck down there if he was admitted.

Anyways, so we drove down Wednesday and went to disneyland on Thursday. Emily had accumulated a lot of Disney Credits so we all (my dad, grandpa, me and Michael) got into the park for $1.00. Yes 25 cents each. The first thing we saw when we got in the park was the Hooks and Ladders Co.
Here is our group watching the show. (I should get the video's from my dad) You can't really see Michael and Matthew's face, but they are there looking behind them.
Chip and Dale came out to join the frenzy.

Then Cruella Deville came out to torcher everyone and to try and buy the firehouse dog.

Then Goofy came out to get giggy with us.

Then we headed over to It's a Small World so that my Grandpa could enjoy some nostalgia. The Christmas decorations were so awesome.

While we were waiting for my Grandpa to make it through the handicap line My sister took over waiting with him and my dad came with me and the kids to ride the Alice and Wonderland caterpillars. Since we were still waiting for Great Grandpa and since it was that time anyways, we stopped for a lunch break. Evan found us there.Along with Janae Gonzales and her family. We knew they would be there that day but it's still funny that we ran into them right outside "It's a Small World after all."

After lunch we decided to head over to California Adventures and ended up running into the Marry Poppins Band. Emily hadn't seen this show yet and was very grateful to see it before their passes expired. Bert showing Matthew and Michael how to make faces.

The second time they pulled this out Michael ran over to "Help" them put it back in. I didn't notice at first since I was taking pictures so I ran over there to get him and Bert said (In his accent of course), "It's alright, He's just being a helpful little chap." I thought that was pretty cool that they weren't annoyed with kids crossing the line.

I don't know if the previous incident is why but Marry Poppins chose Michael first to dance with her. I was pretty excited and started clicking my camera like crazy. Here are the best pictures I got though.

"Chim, Chiminy, Chim, Chiminy, Chim, Chim, Cheree."

Michael even got to hold Bert's hand.

When that was over we continued our course to California Adventures but we were stopped yet again when we saw the opportunity to meat Mickey and Goofy. When I had told Michael we were going to Disneyland the day before he asked if we were going to meet Mickey Mouse and I said yes and then he asked if he could talk and I said, "No, he can't talk." and then he asked if he could run and I said, "No, he probably can't run." Then he asked if he could walk with him and I said, "Maybe." Then he asked if he could give him lovins. and I said, "YES." It was sucha cute conversation so I'm glad we had the opportunity to meet Mickey Mouse.

We finally made it outside Disneyland and while we were waiting to get in Michael and I had fun posing on the candycane striped letters that spelled CALIFORNIA.

L is for Lucky Lorina

A is for Awesome

and Adorable

and Arriba (spanish for 'up')

Once we got in we were trying to hurry to the Bugs Life Show and had to watch out for this float. Michael stopped a couple times and I was like, "Come on hurry up." and he's like, "NO, I have to dance." It was hilarious. Finally I told him he could dance while he walked.

We let Emily and Evan go ride the roller coaster alone (which they had also never done and wanted to before passes expired) while we went to see the "It's tough to be a bug" show. After that we went over to the Bugs life Kid ride area to wait for them. I sat with Great Grandpa and Vivian (hoping she would fall asleep) while Grandpa took Michael, Rebecca and Mathew on all the little rides there. (And we were worried he wouldn't have enough time witht he grandkids... I think he was pretty tired after that.)

Emily and Evan still weren't back so we headed over to Turtle Talk. Some teenagers gave the kids some streamers. (Thank-you, thank-you) They had so much fun dancing and twirling with them while we waited to go in.

They made for some pretty cool pictures too.

Vivian kept seeing how far she could get before I could catch her. I'm glad the other kids were occupied because this one kept me running any time she got out of the stroller.

After that we watched the parade from behind the crowd (Emily and Evan had gotten us priority seating but without Great Grandpa, who was using the restroom, we couldn't use them.) Then we decided to send the kids and Great Grandpa home with Evan and then Emily and I could enjoy some time with our Dad. The kids were able to entertain themselves on the tram ride pushing eachother heads.

When we got back to the park My Dad got a super cool shot of the Christmas tree with the Moon in the background posing as the star.

We tried to do things that weren't possible with kids but I don't know if we were successful. We rode the submarine, Materhorn, and Buss Lightyear. We had just enough time for one more ride before the park closed so we choose... The Tea Cups.

Dad and Emily

Lorina and Dad

Emily and Lorina

I wish John had been there to enjoy it but I'm sure we'll get a chance to go some day. It was really nice to take the day at a slow pace and enjoy the shows and not worry about rushing to get as many rides in as possible which is how I usually am at Theme Parks.

Thanks Emily for giving us a trip to Disneyland. It was so great to see The Happiest Place on Earth at Christmas time. And Congratulations to Evan, Doctor of Chiropractic. It was so great to be there for your Graduation, We are so proud of you!