L.A.

We just got back from our trip to LA. We went down to celebrate Christmas with my sister's family as well as to enjoy Christmas Eve (Grandpa Tony's Birthday) with my family. The trip down was thankfully unevenful. The kids were armed with books, toys, dvd player and food. We stopped at McDonalds to let them run around for a bit, but it was so damn cold, we didn't stay long.


On Christmas Eve day we took a walk over to our old elementary school, then came back for dinner.



First for the kids.


Then for the adults. My mom always does a many course meal followed by a delicious cake from Amy/Eran. Michael opted to have dinner with his family but was back in time for the cake.

The girls found a willing sucker in Eran who was more than happy read to them before bedtime.



The next morning was Christmas. We didn't want to make the Marcus boys wait (since they were the only ones who even understood what Christmas was.) So we woke the kids up early and head over to their house arriving just before 6. Of course, the boys, those eager boys, were asleep. We waited for them and then opened presents. I was quite pleased with the presents we got the Marcuses and then all seemed to enjoy them.





Parker had no interest in any of it, opting to eat breakfast and then play with numbers. He had to be coaxed over with promises of calculators and pianos. Peter helped him open his presents.





We got a spectacular gift from Amy and Eran to help us with our tupperware management issues. "As seen on TV", this gift will not only help us get organized, but it will give us permission to get rid of some old, lidless ones.


After a bit more hanging out, we took the girls to Grandma Judy's and went off to enjoy two days of babyfree/Parkerfree time at a nearby Hyatt. A couple days later, we spent some more time with the Marcuses and then drove home. The kids all seemed happy to be home, in their own rooms, with their own stuff.