Play date with Kaira

Kaira and her mom Bridget live on our street. Today was our first play date. It was a nice sunny day. The girls were on the move so it was hard to take pictures. Josie is two months older. 

Christmas celebration #2

We had a little Christmas celebration at home and opened gifts from more family. We started off with a pancake breakfast then opened presents. 

First Josie opened presents from Papa Andy and Grandma Kay

 

 Three books: one about a lion, one about dolphins, and The Christmas Story. What a surprise Josie got when she opened The Christmas Story and it was being read by Papa Andy!

Yummy almonds - all different flavors. Perfect for the airplane.

 Next Josie opened a gift from Karen, Luke & Katie

What a fun computer. The little voice was asking questions and Josie was answering but she kept saying "I can't see you".

Christmas celebration #1

We are teaching Josie about the real meaning of Christmas and she knows all about Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus and his birthday. We've read books about it and sing about it and play with the nativity and act it out. She does enjoy the other part of Christmas like presents. She also loves the decorations and the lights and Santa. But boy does she like opening her presents and other people's presents if they let her. She's opened a few so far and last night she got to open a few more as we gathered with family to celebrate an early Christmas together. It was fun to be together especially because Rebecca was in town. 

Rebecca showing a video of Josie's cousin Sofia in Bosnia.

Uncle Bill showing Josie a picture of her great grandparents.

Cousin Rebecca and Aunt Gaylynne

Josie opened a pony purse from Grandma

A tool set from Grandma and Grandpa. in the background you can see a cute doll from G & G with matching PJs for Josie that Grandma made.

Birthday kiss for Grandpa Rich

Eric, John, Jody & Uncle Bill

Christmas lights

We started a tradition of lighting the advent candles and doing a family devotion. We haven't done it every night but we enjoyed it when we made it a priority.

 One night we went out to visit the popular streets with lights. "Candy Cane Lane" in Redwood City was nicely done and hardly anyone around.

 Next we went to Eucalyptus St. in San Carlos and that was a mad house. The street was blocked off to one way traffic and the sidewalks were packed.

There was a "hill" kids were sledding down on snow.

Palo Alto Children's Museum & Zoo

We've been here a few times before and it's a fun activity close by. This time Josie kept wanting to go back inside to the museum instead of checking out the animals. 

Outside they had a cool pathway of logs. Josie spent quite of bit of time back and forth on the trail.