California December 2012

We got back last night from our annual December California trip and now I'm starting to feel like the Holidays are actually over. The decorations are packed up, the tree is gone, toys have been taken out of packaging, and the "vacations" are over. It always make me a little sad, but I'm also happy to be home, looking forward to getting back into routine, and excited to see what 2013 might hold for our little family.

We usually take our trip before Christmas, but because of the way the families Christmas party fell this year and how Christmas fell, we decided it would be less stressfull to go after the holidays.

The boys were excited to see Grandma and Papa, to have a huge house and yard to run around and explore in, to see their aunts and uncles, and especially to have a "second" Christmas.

Papa looking on as the boys open their gifts.

S's Stepsisters.

L especially enjoyed spending quality time with his uncle, who quickly became his favorite after he built L a "fort Castle" the involved several mattresses, blankets and sheets stapled together, and spanned the width of an entire bedroom.

The boys also got to open presents from their wonderful "Uncles" (S's best friends!)

It was a relaxing trip and good to see everyone. I didn't take nearly as many pictures as I should, so I'll leave you with these last two of L2 tearing apart his grandparents kitchen!