Ah... now, I can relax. WHAT!!! It's Christmas time?

So I got done with all of my work, submitted my final papers (got an A on that big one by the way) and registered for classes for next semester. Good news, only 6 units instead of 9! Hooray.

I had a hard time wrapping my mind around the idea that I was done and I could relax. Then, I fell asleep! The next morning, I realized that I had Christmas to contend with and there was much to be done!

I did the Christmas cookies with my Aunts last weekend and we had a wonderful family dinner together afterwards. We had a great time and got some gorgeous and delicious cookies from our labors. We also decorated the tree during the week and got the rest of the decorations up.

Aunt Marie-licking the bowl!

Aunt Sylvia, showing us how to do the traditional holly and berries.
Just a few of the finished cookies!
Cousin Jeff made ribs and beans...oh, and Uncle Dave changed an outlet and put in a dimmer switch while he was here!
The kids were literally vibrating and had major meltdowns before crashing into bed!

We had a CRAZY fun weekend.. we went to the Whittier Christmas Parade and Gavin marched with our church. Ella and Andy weren't up for it, and I thought that sitting with them sounded nice... so he joined some friends and led the group! In the afternoon, we made our family ornaments. (A tradition since Andy and I first lived together, we make an ornament - or set of ornaments- for our tree) It has been challenging to find things that the kids can do with us, but we have done it. This year were these pretty, beaded snowflakes! Ella did a great job and even made two! Girls really are different! Gavin was more about getting DONE! Saturday evening we were scheduled to stay with GiGi (Andy's Gramma) so that his parents could go out. We had Indian food for dinner, ate a giant chocolate bar and watched "The Year Without a Santa Claus" by the fire.

Sunday morning we went to the L.A. Zoo with my brother Allen and his family. The kids had a great time! By the time we got home, it was getting late and we all got changed into our fancy Christmas clothes to go to the Friends Church Christmas Dinner with my mom, stepdad and Andy's family. We have done this together since that first Christmas together, too. The kids got to see Santa, but Ella did not want to get anywhere near him. He snuck up behind her so that I could get a shot! We came home, sorted through the piles of presents that I have been stashing in my closet for the last 3 months and figured out that we just need one thing for Ella and something little for her stocking and a few things for family members, but we know just what we are getting. We made our list and checked it twice and then, we fell into bed!

Is he thinking about what he wants for Christmas,

or trying to answer the "Naughty/Nice" question?

Posing in her pretty dress... FAR away from Santa.
She is not happy with me.. but, Thank You Santa!

I sent Ella to the babysitter today, just like I have every Monday (so that I could study) and I wrapped up ALL of the gifts. I did all of the laundry and put it all away! (since I have been in school, it gets folded, but not put away...) I caught up on quite a few t.v. shows and I made dinner. Now, I am blogging and next I am going to make some fudge

and then work on my Thank you notes from my birthday party.

Very productive.. but boy, I still have a long way to go!