Christmas in California CONT....

December 25th

Okay now on to Christmas day. We woke up to a sunny mild Christmas day! So different than being snowed in last year. We went hiking in the canyon next to Randy's parents home. It was a perfect morning for it!

It was a full house, and oh so much fun! So many presents to open. Violet walked away with so many things it was unbelievable! Randy and I were so excited to receive a new camera (The G11 - which can clearly be linked back to one person - Thanks for the tip Jen - I do not have an eye for photography but I can always dream right? I keep thinking of things I could do with just the RIGHT CAMERA)

We were very fortunate to receive a very special visist from Santa Claus (AKA Uncle Kevin) He knocked on the front door, much to the dismay of Jubilee and Violet. At the site of him they ran screaming (in terror not excitement) see video below.

Violet had no trouble finding the chocolate and treats in her stocking, in fact over the course of the week she managed to steal everyone's else treats as well. I would often find her sneaking off to look in other people stockings.

Christmas dinner was a roast on the BBQ outside. It was gigantic and amazing. For desert a special request was made for my English Trifle. I had made it a couple of years ago, and apparently it's turning into a DeGroot tradition (we need to throw in a bit of Brit with the Dutch right?) Day 2 of Gluttony complete....

On a weird side note... the water in Orange County made my hair CRAZY. It was cross between Bon Jovi and a Lioness all week long - oh hair! Must be all the chemicals in the water. I promise I wasn't trying to make it big on purpose.

Doesn't Randy look like he just wants to devour that trifle?? I think it weighed close to 3 pounds!

We capped the night off with a BABY BATH!

Violet and Jubilee had a blast last summer taking baths , we had to continue with the fun. As usual they had a great time and got us soaking wet in the process.

There was one defining moment though... Violet has a very important phrase that she says ALOT lately

"It's the same Mama"

referring to pretty much everything. But, on this very special occasion, Violet pointed at Jubilee and said (in a very excited tone) "Mama, it's the same poopi!" I'll let you figure out what she was referring to, but she was correct, it is the same! So observant.