Christmas break with the Bussey's

So after Christmas time my Parents, Paydan, and my Grandma came down to San Diego (after spending Christmas at my Grandma's in Central California). With them being so close that allowed us to get to see them too during Christmas Break. I felt really lucky to get to spend time with both sets of families over break!

Here are some things we did...

We went to Mission De Luis Rey and explored a bit around it since it was a rainy day . It was a cool historical places to get to see. Here is Chris, my Mom, Paydan and my Dad in front of the mission.

The Beautiful Mission- They sun came out just as we were leaving!
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We also got to go to the Wild Animal Park (a separate park of the San Diego Zoo). I was cool to see all the neat animals and go out on a safari-type ride. I was also excited to get to use my new camera lens my dad gave to me for Christmas.

Chris doesn't quite measure up to a Gorilla

It was VERY chilly at the park- which we were not quite expecting- so we stopped in the gift shop and this was the lovely outfit Chris put together.

The View of part of the whole park

umm... not quite sure why Chris' hand is on top of my head...oh well

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At nights we either helped my Grandma with puzzles or played games.

the resort they were staying at was the Lawrence Welk Resort. If you know any "old" people they can tell you who Lawrence Welk is or you can look at the wikipedia page here. So they put on shows in the theater at the resort. So for Christmas my parents gave my grandma tickets for all of us to go see the show- "Big Band Christmas". It was actually pretty good and fun to hear all the Christmas Classics- but we were definitely the youngest ones in attendance by at least 30 years!

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The last day we hung around the resort and my dad thougth we should partake in some of the activities the resort sponsors so we did the cookie decorating.

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Then since we only had like half a day we decided to go to downtown San Diego and explore. We were not quite sure what to do when we saw the USS M- a retire AirCraft Carrier that is now a museum.

Paydan, Me, Chris and my Mom starting to explore the ship

In front of one of the many planes on the deck

Aye-Aye Cap'n!

Chris and I are recreating the famous statue in the background


Overall Christmas Break was WONDERFUL. I am so grateful to have such wonderful family on BOTH sides!

Christmas with the WHOLE Jones Family

(What a lame blogger I am... but here is my weak excuse... first I edited all my like 700 pictures from Christmas break and then lost all the edits, so I had no motivation to sit and do them all again. Finally I finished the pictures and loaded some on to a post- but I forgot about it and haven't added text until today- WHOOPS! Better late than never?)

So this year we spent Christmas with the whole Jones family... which is a rare treat! We had all the three family members that live here in CA but then we had the Herrera's from Texas and the Jones' from Louisiana too! So here is a quick run down of some of the things we did over break.

We went to see TANGLED and I was totally impressed. It was great and I loved all the music. Here is Kallie, Maddie and Brooklyn at the movie.

Here is Chris and Kallie at the Bass Pro Shop (a HUGE outdoor store) that has a Santa's village inside with free activities and pictures with Santa.

We went to Logan's Candy shop to watch them make Candy Canes all by HAND! It was amazing to see the process and was such a cool little shop. Here are some of the Family looking through the glass at the demonstration.

Here are some of the Kids and Grampy with their Candy Canes that they got to bend themselves after the demonstration.

We also did a little Christmas Eve Bowling. So Much fun. Look at Chris' intense form.

Here is my awesome bowling stance

We had a cute Christmas Eve Program with costumes for the kiddos that Katie had.

Here is Coleman, Kristy, Wes and Chris waiting for the program to start. I have to make a special shout out to the stuffed Santa on Chris' lap. It is his favorite childhood decoration and couldn't keep from snuggling it.

Sawyer the Shephard, Maddie the Inn Keeper and Libby the Sheep

Brooklyn as Mary and Baby Ava as Baby Jesus

Collin and Sawyer- To little shepherds (Sheep and "hook" included)

Maddie and Grammy preforming a Christmas Song

The Chaos insues...Opening Christmas Jammies from Grammy and Grampy

Chris and I got Jammies for each other too... These are my WONDERFUL Sock Monkey ONSIE pajamas. Finally me feet don't get cold!
(Chris just got basketball shorts and a new tee shirt for his pj's)

All 13 of the our nieces and nephews! They are all sporting their new PJ's and their "JONES" tees that I made for them.



We didn't want to spend Christmas eve on our own and most of all miss out on the joy of Christmas morning with kids. So we spent the night at Chris' parents house.

Here are the kids ready to run down and see what Santa left them.

Brooklyn, Davis and Chris chrecking out what Santa ate of his treats.

Lily, Kallie and Brooklyn all playing with their cute new dolls!

Chris snuggling with Collin, Kallie and Davis... Can't you tell they love him.. haha!

We also enjoyed a wonderful Christmas breakfast at Katie's house! It was very delicious- thanks for the Nielsen family letting us into their home.

It was a wonderful Christmas, especially being all together with the Jones'

Christmas Festivities with Friends

Being a Washingtonian I am used to chilly weather with either rain or snow to help get me in the Christmas spirit. So one of the biggest adjustments living in So. California is getting used to the heat in wintertime. I mean I was wearing sandals and t-shirts just like a week ago. (I am sorry I know I shouldn't complain). So I needed some Christmas-y activities to try and help me get in the right mood for the season.

One festivity we partook in was to go again to see the Christmas lights on a street in our town. The whole street is decked out with decorations and LOTS of lights. Its fun to walk down the street looking at the decor. This year we went with our friends the Woolfords and Braziers.

Walking down the street

Chris and Brian posing in the Hawaiian Themed Yard- Chris is looking pretty good in the skirt!

In front of some of the lights

So cute to see Skylar and Boston holding hands... Maybe we should start planning their wedding in like 20 years?


We also threw a small UGLY sweater party with our neighbors. Here are some of the great outfits from the evening. We had fun eating treats, talking, and playing some fun games!

Clockwise from top left: Us, Harries, Braziers, and Woolfords

I am sorry this picture was too priceless not to put in... Chris' sweater was a real FIND at Goodwill- it caption was super creative (not)... it said "Rudolph the Red-nosed Rein-cat"

Hope everyone has done fun things themselves to get them in the spirit!

(oh and I guess I got my wish to help me get in the Christmas Spirit... it has been POURING rain non-stop the last 4 days)

Christmas Morning

So luckily I was able to sleep through the night on Christmas Eve, which usually is not the case since I am always giddy like a 2 year old child. But having young children still present at the cabin meant that the call time for opening presents would be early, 7 am.

The "beloved" (it is in quote to denote me being facetious) stairway pictures was taken before we could be let loose on our bounty from the man up North. We were given some great gifts by Santa, Family and each other. One of my favorite gifts was my new FLIP camera Chris gave me in our stocking.

It was a great day and I can not wait til the day when we can share these memories and times with kids of our own.

Blue Mountain Lodge- 2009

So here is a quick recap of our time spent up at the Blue Mountain Lodge. I had sooo many pictures, hence the collages to fit more in!

Here's a little history: In my side of the family Christmas is always been spent... AWAY (Gasp!) from home. I have only spent like two Christmases at home that I can remember and they were kind of weird for me. We usually pack up all our stuff and head out to a cabin with my mom's whole extended family. I love it since it has always been TRADITION, although to most it seems very strange. Let's just say it is an adventure to pack all the Christmas things in a car and ride for hours. So for the past years (since we outgrew the first cabin in Sunriver, OR) we have spent time at the Blue Mountain Lodge, out in the BOONDOCKS of NW Oregon.

We had lots of relaxing fun being with family and enjoying the snow, holiday and food. Since there is no internet, much phone service, or even a grocery store near by we make our own fun by:

• Cooking and Enjoying food
• Watching lots of movies
• Playing Games (like our new favorite... Up the River, Down the River)
• Going for daily walks in the WINTER WONDERLAND
  

• Sledding on our usually sledding hill (but we wished we would have gotten some nice fresh snow)
  

• And of course celebrating Christmas (more in a later post)

Tis the Season in Seattle

This year it was our turn to go to Seattle for Christmas. We had a few days in Seattle before we left for our traditional stay in the Blue Mountain Lodge (more to come on it later). So here are some things we did.

We got to see "White Christmas" the the 5th Avenue Theater. It was a great way to get into the Christmas mood. It was great, but not quite the same when there is no Bing Crosby crooning away.

The we fulfilled the usual Bussey Family tradition and headed to downtown Seattle to see the lights, ride the carousel and look at the gingerbread at the Sheraton.

(We took pre-wedding pictures with our photographer 3 years ago in front of this star)

What a great looking couple! I love my PARENTS!

In front of the Carousel

Zoom!

You are NEVER to old to enjoy the ride!

Us "racing on our horses"

Hi Paydan!

(click on the picture to really see the details in the gingerbread houses)
The theme this year was Christmas Movies

I also got to finally get together with the FAB FIVE... my best friends from high school. We enjoyed pedicures, some dinner and hanging out together. (My friend Melinda has the pictures)