Rollerskating!

Over the Christmas holidays we finally took Elizabeth and Emma rollerskating (it was a gift we gave them 2 years ago). Holton tried it out but decided it was more fun to watch. The girls had so much fun that they didn't want to leave even after 3 hours!

Our Christmas-at home

This is what we saw when we came home from our trip. Santa came!

I told the kids to pretend they were seeing the living room for the first time. I think Cyril did the best acting!

The kids with their stockings. No pajamas as it was the middle of the afternoon!

Cyril and I with our stockings

New trucks for Holton

Jaidyn's new dance bag

Bumblebee Transformer

Millenium Falcon!

Mateya with her new dance bagMateya and Jaidyn both got a new American Girl doll this year. Their other dolls are 5 years old and the hair is pretty knotted. They were really excited to have a new doll and to take care of her hair!

My beautiful girls giving each other a rare hug!

Happy New Year!

After our trip to Victoria we drove back to Olympia to see Don and Abbi again. We stayed at a hotel this time. Cyril's mom and dad had flown in for a few days and stayed at the same hotel. We spent New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with the Miguel side of the family. Don and Abbi invited a few of their friends and neighbors over for New Year's. There were quite a few kids around. We played many games, ate too much and hung out. It was lots of fun. All the kids even made it until midnight except for Holton.

Playing Apples to Apples

Proud Lola and Lolo

Cyril playing with his little niece

Mateya and Don playing the Wii

Holton fast asleep on the chair

On New Year's Day, Don came over to the hotel to swim with the kids. We swam for over 2 hours and had so much fun! The greatest thing was watching how confident Holton has become in the water. He used to be terrified and now he just needs waterwings and away he swims. We are so happy that he now enjoys the water as much as his sisters.

Holton just swimming around on his own

We were trying to do lifts like they do in ballroom dancing! Notice Jaidyn's pointed toes.

Cyril was trying to lift Mateya with one hand

Another lift...not too graceful

Mateya and Jaidyn getting ready to race

Don was throwing Jaidyn in the air to see how high she could go

Notice the crazy guy in the corner who jumped into the photo

After swimming we went to Don and Abbi's house for a New Year's meal. In the morning we were finally heading back home. The kids were very sad to end our holiday but also excited to get home to see what Santa had hopefully brought for them.

Cyril's mom and dad with all 4 grandkids.

Giving Hannah a goodbye kiss.

Relaxing at the hotel in Cranbrook after a full day of driving.

When we were swimming in Victoria I scraped the back of my leg on the edge of the pool. It really hurt at the time but I had no idea I would end up with this huge bruise in the shape of a heart. Very strange!

All in all we had a really great Christmas! We did tons of driving, saw green grass instead of snow, wore sweaters outdoors instead of winter jackets most of the time, traveled across the ocean on Christmas day, walked along the beach, spent many days swimming, and made tons of special memories with our family. Thanks Don and Abbi and Sherilyn and Jay for making our Christmas this year so much fun although we did miss the rest of the family back home and it wasn't the same without everyone!

Christmas-Part 2

We left Don and Abbi's house just before 9:30 Christmas morning and drove 2 1/2 hours to Port Angeles to catch the ferry to Victoria to see the Leishman's. We were a little early for the ferry so we walked around the pier for a bit.

For all the TWILIGHT fans!!

Holton's first ferry ride. He really enjoyed it.

The girls enjoying the ferry.

It was cold outside but we did manage to take a few pictures with the kids.

The next day we went to a nearby beach with Sherilyn and the kids, Jay was working.

The kids all had fun looking for seashells and running through the sand. It was so different to have no snow at Christmas but we still had to dress warm.

Holton's first time at the ocean.

Peyton, what a cutie!

Cousins at the beach

When we got home Sherilyn decorated cookies with the kids.

On Sunday after church, we drove to a lookout point and took some pictures. It was freezing because of the wind and we were up so high.

I like this picture of Jay and Mckenna.

Holton got to go in Kenna's van. Notice Holton and Mckenna weren't sitting right beside each other... it was a good thing!

After the lookout we went downtown to walk around and see all the lights.

In front of the Empress Hotel

The Parliament building

The kids playing and being silly on the lawn in front of the Parliament building. Notice the GREEN grass!!

A rare picture of Cyril and I.

On Monday we took the kids swimming but I didn't take any pictures. The next day Jay wasn't working so we all went to a different beach. It turns out there wasn't much of a beach but the kids had fun. I guess in the summer the water is a lot lower. It was raining a little when we arrived but it didn't last long.

Jaidyn examining a flower

I had to bribe these two to get some pictures together but I did get a few good ones.

The Leishmans

The Miguels

After the beach Jay took us to see the castle at Royal Roads University where he is attending. The kids all had fun running around the garden.

Next we went to Fort Rodd Hill. It cost too much to go in so we just took a few pictures outside. After our busy day sight seeing we took the kids swimming again.

On Wednesday morning, Cyril and I took our kids to the Miniature Museum in downtown Victoria. Cyril and I had both been there as kids but didn't really remember it. It was so neat to see all the miniature worlds they created. We all really enjoyed it. After the museum we went back to Sherilyn and Jay's house and then decided to go swimming for the third time in 3 days. The kids all had a blast.

This was the morning before we left. I like this picture of Mckenna. What a silly girl...we miss her so much!

One more picture with their little bud. The girls really miss Peyton, he is such a funny little boy!

Holton and Mckenna giving one last hug before saying goodbye.

It was so hard to leave! Mckenna was bawling with her arms out saying "Don't leave, don't leave me!" The girls and I shed some tears as we drove away, but Holton told us "I'm not crying". He might not have been as emotional as us girls but he really misses Mckenna and Peyton. We had such a fun week with Sherilyn, Jay, Mckenna and Peyton. Thanks so much to them for putting up with us and the all the chaos. We really appreciate the time we got to spend with them and the wonderful Christmas season we shared with them. It was a special Christmas we will always remember!!