Bodega Bay Weekend - Part One

The first weekend of the new year we headed to Bodega Bay for a quick trip.  It is now an annual trip for us and we have really lucked out on good weather the last two years.

We arrived out to Salmon Creek around 1:00 and my parents brought Avery out while Landon was napping.  We unpacked and headed to the beach - it was just gorgeous.

Seriously it was phenomenal weather - couldn't believe it was January.

My mom was a trooper writing the girls names in the sand...

When we got back to the house my sister, Geoff and Landon arrived and we played together.

That night we had a great dinner that Kris and Loren joined us on.  I feel so lucky to have an opportunity to have both sides of my family together.

On Sunday morning we headed to the beach for awhile where the kiddos had a blast.

Later Sunday afternoon Kris, Leana, Ryanne and Charlotte came over the spend the day and night with Cambrie and I while my family headed home.  There were lots of people with us that weekend and C loved having all of her family member around.  Avery ended up going home with my parents so she was able to hang out longer...so I painted all the girls nails.

Upside down pic!

Sweet girls playing Candyland...

That evening us girls headed back to the beach while the guys went gathering shrimp at the wharf.

Cambrie's School Play

This year for Cambrie's school play she had a special part...she was the sparkle moon :)  The kiddos put on a play to the story 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' and sing several Christmas songs.  They mostly dress in holiday pi's and it was fun to shop for a special pair for me.  There was a lot of work that went into 15 minutes of the play,  it is very unorganized chaos :)

Look at all of those kiddos!

Cambrie was very excited to have Ryanne, Avery and Landon attend the show, as well as Noah too!

After the play Santa comes to visit and take some pictures with the kiddos.

C helped to clean up the stage afterwards, but made time to play on the props too.

C with one of her favorite teachers, Miss Doreen.

We were so lucky to have such a big cheering section!

This was the last play that James will have at Building Blocks and it makes me sad.  Our kiddos love going to school together and I just cannot believe how big James is getting!

Christmas Night

After our time in Calistoga we went home to pick up Shasta and Cambrie's new bike.  It was a perfect day for playing outside with new toys, and the parking area at Damon's parents house is big, flat and safe.

Our only non-cell phone family photo...

Santa also visits the big mountain for the girls and C was very excited about her beautiful Elsa barbie doll.

There was another whole stack of gifts to open with a lot more arts and crafts supplies which is awesome :)

The girls all love taking baths together in the big tub.  Cambrie used to freak out about the bubbles, but she is now getting better about the noise.  Its funny how she doesn't like loud noises at all....she gets pretty scared.  At her birthday she was plugging her ears when we were singing happy birthday :)

We stayed until past her bedtime and tried to soak up all the minutes of the holiday.  

It was a great day with family and we are so appreciative of our little girl to be there celebrating alongside us.

Christmas Morning

On Christmas morning Cambrie was so excited.  The holidays are just magical when you have children.  Its hard to describe just how amazing it is.  And to be able to create magic in her life is awesome. 

We don't go too crazy with Christmas gifts for her since she is a lucky little one with so many family members who love her as well.  Damon and I struggle with the 'does Santa wrap presents or not' issue  each year since we have different opinions.  But, at this age, Cambrie hasn't formed any solid opinions which is nice so we can just play it by ear.

She was very excited for her presents from us and equally excited for us to open the gifts she got us.  A few years ago Morgan mentioned that she thought is was important for Noah to go out with each parent to get a gift for the other.  As a special activity and involvement in making the holiday not just about kiddos.  So, we have adopted that tradition and we enjoy it.  And C still talks about what she picked out for Damon last year :)

After opening her gifts we went to check if Santa ate any of her cookies.  And then she turned around to see her Santa gift.  Lots of happiness radiating out of her little self.

And I cannot believe that she has a full on princess Frozen bike...gah, what happened to neutral colors and timeless toys that I always told myself I would stick it?  Well, it was easy to change in order to make my little ones dreams come true.

After playing for a few, we got ready to head to Calistoga for our annual PJ morning event with the Cambra clan.  This year my sister and her family here in town and it was lovely being able to celebrate with them.

These little ones were so spoiled and so excited about their presents.  Lots of arts and crafts items which we love in this house!

The adults do a white elephant gift exchange and we always pass around two traditional items that are important to my Papa Hugh (my dads dad).  One is a trophy and the other a glass bottle that we fill with dimes and pass along.  It is great to keep up his memory.

My sweet Aunt Paula and her lovely kiddos (Casey and Chelsea both brought separate gifts for the littles, it was so sweet!  Casey gave C an awesome wooden domino set that we have loved playing with and Chelsea and Allie picked out some 'decorate your own slap bracelets.' Super fun!)

And, of course, a group photo (sorry, need to crop and edit out the side of my aunts truck still!)