Christmas Day

Christmas morning Josie woke early, long before her sister, and we suprisingly had to wake Annabel up despite her excitement.  When Annabel woke she stumbled into the living room, eyes half-closed, but clearly with her eye on the prize.  She saw the goodies and headed straight to her stocking.  (We had to point out Santa drank the milk and ate the cookies!)
 

A opened her gifts, and helped J through hers as well.  J loved the wrapping paper.

 

 

That afternoon we headed back over to my parents where the extended Fuji clan had gathered for Christmas dinner and our gift exchange.

 

 

Annabel quickly became Rachel's biggest fan.

And we finished up the evening with another game of Chinese poker.

 

 

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve we spent the day just hanging around the house and getting a few things ready for the evening's events, as well as dinner the following day.  It was very relaxing after a busy few days. 

That evening we headed over to my parent's for our annual Christmas Eve dinner with my dad's infamous beef wellington (which did not disappoint!) and gifts.  Annabel was very into opening gifts and kept looking for more with "an A on it". 
 

 

 

Man, your beard is so interesting.

 

In order to get a decent photo of the girls we had to get a lot of these first... 

In order to get this...

We got home late so we got the kiddos to bed so Santa could arrive.  He was very hungry and thirsty lugging his pack down the chimney but he was kind enough to leave them a little note.

And for the main event...(Santa Mimi visited too!)

 

Cookie Decorating Outfit

Chosen by you know who (yes, those are leg warmers too).

Writing

Annabel: "Look, I wrote my name."

Me: "Uh, wait, you kind of did!"

Now Josie it's you're turn. 

Nutcracker Sweets

The extended Fuji clan has gathered in Northern California once again for the holidays. Last year we convened in Hawaii and although that trip was very special, this year's festivities are shaping up nicely.  We'll always miss grandma's house in Watsonville (including the chili dogs and such), but the out of towners have changed up accommodations  renting a spectacular condo on Marina Blvd with bay views in SF. Not to shabby. 

Everyone humored the kids on Sunday attending an abbreviated version of the Nutcracker Suites geared for the under 10 years old set. In fact, the narrator specifically said there was no 'shushing' of kids allowed during the 50 minute show. Which was great because Josie was a little chatting during the performance. She actually loved the show!

We got to meet the cast after the show and while Annabel didn't want take pictures with the actors, Josie didn't hesitate to get friendly with them. (This little girl actually knew a lot about babies.)

This little boy maybe had a little less experience with babies...

 

Josie meeting Auntie Kathy and Uncle Glen. 

 

This is one of my favorite pictures!

Baking holiday cookies with Annabel

Josie supervised the activity, so needless to say these cookies are very "special". 

Napping

Every time Annabel naps I think I take a picture because I truly believe it will be the very last time. She doesn't normally take friends to bed but this time they must have worn her right out. 

Big sister is a big help

She's taken over feeding...I'm still in handling cleaning. 

Playschool Holiday Sing Along

I know, I have a lot of catching up to do blog wise having been distracted by sleep training, stomach flu, and more. In the meantime here's a few pics from Annabel's holiday singalong today. So adorable. (Annabel is in red.)  Video to follow.

Advent Calendar 2013

Move over 'tree of thankfulness', Christmas is coming!