'Twas the Week Before Christmas

And all through the house...

And we have been busy!

On Tuesday night, we decided to trek up to Gilroy Gardens to their Holiday Lights display. We went all in and bought the tickets for the park and the dinner and play with the friends from Charlie Brown. The boys' eyes lit up before we even crossed the entrance to the park. (I could have stopped right there. Wonder in their eyes is one of the best parts of parenting.)

 Linus is C's favorite character because they have matching blue blankies, so you can only imagine his excitement when 'big Linus' was carrying his blankie around the park.

 Bennett, on the other hand, was a little unsure of the new friends.

 We had to take the opportunity to play in the snow machine (it is the best snow we will be seeing this winter!)

 The park was nearly empty and we were able to go on every ride as many times as we wanted, leading to Cullen proclaiming 'This is the best night of my whole life.'

 Then it was dinner and a show, by now B was loving Charlie Brown and Lucy.

 Enthralled by the show

 We spent another two hours walking around the park, enjoying the lights and rides. It was the perfect family adventure.

We also tackled a lot of baking this week: Gingerbread house (ok not baked, bought at Michael's, decorated by boys), shortbread cookies for teachers' gifts and a red velvet cake for Christmas Cocktails and dessert with our next door neighbors.

And then there was the picnic at Lover's Point in Monterey

And finally, we spent Thursday morning as a family, picking out Christmas gifts for the children we adopted from our church's tree. I was so proud of Cullen as he strolled through Target with such purpose. He never asked for a toy for himself and insisted that we get his 'friend Ethan' all the things on his list, and when I said to pick him out a shirt, he came back with pants too. As a parent, it makes me so proud to see him understand the concept of giving as well.

And so we head into the weekend, ready to celebrate with friends Friday night, go on a date Saturday and start our own family traditions on Christmas Eve and Day. This is the first year we won't be with our families and we will miss them, but I can't wait to soak up every moment of the holiday with my sweet little family.

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

P.S. Congrats to Beth Ann for winning my good karma giveaway! I will mail you something good next week. Thanks to all who entered!