Christmas Day

Christmas morning, the girls woke up bright and early. They were so excited to see what Santa brought them. The first thing they spotted were their American Girl Dolls. Peyton got one that looks just like her and Logan got the twin babies. Grammie came over as well to watch the girls open their presents. We made breakfast and spent most the morning just relaxing. In the afternoon, we headed to my parent's house for dinner.

Present Time

Pictures Outside

Holiday Adventures

Throughout the month of December, we have been to so many holiday functions.  Here is a little update of all the fun and exciting things we have done.


The girls and I went to on a journey through Bethlehem at a local church with our good friends. The girls learned so much about why we celebrate Christmas. We will definitely go again next year.

Geoff and I went to a holiday progressive dinner with some neighborhood friends that I play bunco with.  There were about 15 couples and we ended up visiting 5 houses total.  I was asked to provide a dessert to the last house we attended.  This is also where the gift exchange took place.  I ended up making cute little brownie Santa hats and peanut butter snicker cookies.  I got the brownie recipe from here and I attempted to copy it.  I think they turned out cute.  Next time I won't use the gilt free brownie mix from Trader Joes, I'll just use a Duncan Hines brownie mix. The Trader Joes brownie left a weird after taste in my mouth. I will also just make a regular white frosting as opposed to mascarpone cheese frosting.


Start with mini brownies

Let the brownies cool and cut the tops of strawberries

Add white frosting around the brownie and place strawberry on top.
Add a little frosting on top of the strawberry and there you have it.

Santa Brownie Hats

The dessert table.  I brought the peanut butter snicker cookies on the left and the Santa hats.

Our super wonderful neighbors!

We went on a Cruise of Lights tour in Huntington Harbor last week with some friends of ours. I've only been to the boat parade in Newport so this was quite a treat since the harbor is so close to home. It's amazing how some of these houses are decorated for the holidays.

We went to our friend's house for their annual Christmas party and gift exchange. The gift exchange is always entertaining to be a part of. The adults have a gift exchange and the kids have a separate one. Geoff took home two bottles of BV wine and I got two movies. Peyton was overly excited about the kids gift exchange this year. She wanted to start the exchange the minute she walked in the door. Peyton ended up taking home a soccer ball and Logan got a gift card to McDonalds. We are looking forward to next years party.

Geoff with his BFF

All the kids that participated in the gift exchange.

Peyton was very excited to get a soccer ball.

A Sunday Full of Birthdays

Sundays = Family Day! We recently had two birthday celebrations. We started off at brunch in downtown Orange for Madison's 20th birthday.

The birthday day girl with her mom.

In the afternoon, we headed to another celebration in Orange. Geoff's Aunt Nancy celebrated her birthday with Sprinkles Cupcakes.  I had the most amazing cinnamon sugar cupcake ever... delicious!!

Second cousins... don't they look alike?

Second cousins here as well.

Gingerbread House

Don't you just love traditions? For the past 3 years, my mom and dad buy a gingerbread house to make with the girls. The girls love making the house. Logan loves to eat the frosting and Peyton loves to decorate the house. My mom is so good and putting icicles around the house and buying cereal for the roof top, I would never think of that! How cute did the little house turn out?