12 days of Christmas

We started Christmas festivities a bit early this year because we would be out of town for our entire Christmas break traveling to be with our families! Luckily Kendall has no concept of time so she didn't question Santa coming on Dec. 21st. We started the morning with our little family of 3. Kendall woke up before Keith was home from playing basketball so she discovered Santa had come before either of us got to see her reaction to the Minnie Mouse Vacuum he brought for her. She LOVES helping us vacuum even more now---they need to make toy vacuums that actually work, now that would be super helpful!

her stocking was full of books and  a few candy canes (her other big Christmas wish!).

Looks so much like her Daddy here!

From us she received a play tunnel and tent that has become her daycare center for all her babies.

And we also got her her first dress up dress---which she puts on daily and using a magic wand "zaps" spells on us. Usually we become cats.

Then we cruised on down to the Rettele's for an early Christmas brunch and gift exchange.  Marissa made the most delicious "healthy" cinnamon rolls!!!

Out of all her gifts this day the Dora sippy cup won the top prize! It's the little things in life.

Later that day I met up with Bernie, Joanna, Kelli, and Alli to get pedicures before we headed to Bernie's for an early Christmas dinner and gift exchange. 

The next morning we hopped on a plane to see Grandma and Papa Williams. 

Once there we exchanged gifts yet again---Kendall started to get really good at opening presents and going around thanking everyone. 

Best gift of the day was this super hero cape Grandma sewed. 

After running a few laps to test it out she was sulking on the steps. We asked what was the matter and in the saddest little voice she says "it not working, when it going to fly?" I had not expected this to be her reaction, and I almost started to cry for her! I didn't realize she'd made that connection from watching Super Why that when you put your cape on you fly into a book. Poor thing! But we got to talk about pretending and imagination. She was satisfied, and hardly took the cape off.  

Loves for Papa John

Keith working on his new Rubics cube, Kendall enjoying her nightly hot cocoa , watching  Gold Rush with Papa.

Candy cane cookies

Christmas Eve at my Dad's church

Cheese!

On Christmas Day we hopped on our next plane to Oakland to visit Great Grandpa Dave.

She preferred to push than ride the stroller! Hopefully by the time she's 16 her driving skills will improve! This flight was the only one Kendall has a hard time on. Her ears plugged up (but we don't think in a painful way, just felt weird to her) and she was yelling, and later crying "I can't hear you! I can't hear you!!!" It was pathetically adorable.

Giving her handprint snowman ornament to Great Grandpa and explaining to him how she made it.

"Oh, more presents you say? I got this thing down!"

She even began helping others open their gifts!

She is a little flirt with Great Grandpa! We figured out this is the 9th time these two have spent time together! I feel pretty blessed that she's been able to get to know her 99 year old Great Grandpa!

4 generations

One last flight heading further from home...San Diego! For a timeshare trip with Keith's family (which will need it's own post!). 12 days of fun holiday adventures!