Baby Shower and Christmas on the Coast

I know all my faithful male readers (and probably female too) really enjoyed Kevin's last blog post. He has the gift of gab and that comes through with his writing too. We'll see what we can do about getting him to post again soon. In the meantime you'll have to put up with my writing again.

In between out trip to Canada and our trip to the coast I hosted a baby shower for my sister Kara. Her daughter is due the end of this month. They are hoping for an earlier birth so she has a little break before she has to get back to classes. We had the shower at a restaurant so that no cooking and cleaning was involved on our part. The food was fabulous and the decorations beautiful. It was a very enjoyable night and Kara (and Eric) was blessed by all the great gifts.

Our third Christmas was out at the coast at my parent's house near Monterey. It was so great to be there with the whole family and to enjoy some very mild temperatures. The boys got 2 rounds of golf in and the girls made a quick trip to some outlet stores....does that seem a little unbalanced to anyone else? The kids enjoyed time with Uncle Eric and Auntie Kara and Nana and Papa. After Canada and Monterey we are still re programing little boy to realize that he can play by himself sometimes.

Ethan got a scooter from Nana and Papa for Christmas. Surprisingly he was able to ride it before we left the coast.

Of course Ethan had to open everyone elses presents for them. What would we do without him?

Thanks for the scooter Papa!

Watching the bagpiper with Auntie.

Cheesy smiles with mommy.

Throwing rocks with Nana.

Can you tell he's learned to turn on the smile for the camera?

Playing by the water with Mommy. Yes, my Canadian readers....I am wearing short sleeves in December:) A gorgeous morning on the coast, the rain started about an hour later.

Morgan bundled up in her bear outfit and loving it outside.

Ethan hanging out in the tree in the back.

Overall we had a busy but great Christmas season. It was wonderful to spend time with all our family, to rest, read, golf, play guitar hero and play outside (in the snow and sun). It was so fun to see Christmas through Ethan's eyes this year. As we were cleaning up the tree and other decorations at home he was quite sad to see it all go. We assured him that Christmas will come back again next year:)