Winter Break Fun!

Winter break is always fun...for the kids! For those of you fellow parents out there, 3 1/2 weeks off of school is sometimes rough. Entertaining the kids is always fun, but finding enough adventures to keep them busy is the hard part.

We got a little bowling in..

A winter staple is definitely ice skating! Living in So Cal, we don't have the opportunity to go outdoors, but Escondido has a fabulous ice rink we try to frequent as much as possible.

As you can see, Drake needs more practice. This is how he spent most of his time when he was not hanging on to my arm for dear life! At least he is smilin' :)

Oh wait, he did hang on to Keiley for a brief photo op, other than that, she was not having it.

All bundled up and cuddling for a quick break.
...And motorcycle riding.

Rick took the kids to a friends near Barstow for some after Christmas riding. They had a blast and along the way, they tried to say "Hi" to me while riding. Not sure how safe that is...

Christmas 2009

Christmas morning...very exciting stuff!

Started with stockings.
Uncle Kevin is a bit of an artist and every year he forgoes the store bought wrapping paper and makes his own Christmas drawings on plain paper. It has been a tradition over the past years and truthfully, we look forward to the drawings more so than the gifts themselves.

Here is a little sampling of one of Drakes presents...

The kids got the WII this year for Christmas. (yes, we are a bit behind, I understand the "it" thing is PS3 this year). As parents, it is alot of pressure to keep up with the latest and greatest gadgets and electronics, so we just don't :)

After present time playing a game they received for Christmas and wearing the "stocking" presents: Vintage Beatles shirts for both.

Drake covering Jack

For those of you who DON'T facebook (and I know it isn't many of you), here is Drakes latest performance and first singing debut.


I begged Rick to edit the crazy lady crying at the end, but said something about it being a "tender moment". Tender...ya right, guess who is holding the video camera next time because guess who was also crying...you guessed it!! It's just funnier when someone else is doing the ugly cry.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KEILEY!

Yes, it has been a while, but Keiley had a birthday late November. Yes, I said late November, I am a bit late on my posts but all of you loyal viewers should be used to my procrastination by now :)

The day of her birthday, she chose to go to her favorite restaurant for dinner and have a quiet family night at home with all of us playing Monopoly.

Don't we wish she could stay this young forever. Playing Monopoly...LOVE HER!

Though, we didn't leave her birthday at just the Monopoly.

My friend Renee and I surprised our girls for their birthdays and took them to San Francisco to see the play Wicked. Keiley was turning 12 and Rebekah turned 13 so we thought it would be super fun to do a turn around trip and throw in a play while in town.

Here are the girls as we are about to leave the airport.

At this point, they know they are going to San Fran only because the baggage lady spilled the beans....

We just arrived in San Fran..

We told the girls they were in San Fran to sight see, go to Ghiradelli Square to have chocolate, and have a very fancy dinner in the city.

Our first stop...Fisherman's Wharf

They're taking it all in.

As promised, hot chocolate from Ghiradelli Square.

All the while, experiencing public transportation....Good times!~

Getting all "dolled" up for the play. New outfit, curls and lipstick.

...And the ride home after getting off the plane.

Guess hangin' with the moms in the city is more than these little tweens could handle ;)