SUGAR COOKIE

Aunt Devon made Finn and Todd Snowman sugar cookies today, I told Finn he could eat 1/2 now and 1/2 after dinner, I should have hidden the 2nd half.....he snuck both parts and came to me licking his lips saying "Aunt Devon makes the best cookies!"

Oh well...no dessert for him tonight.

TRIMMING THE TREE

Every year Violet & Gus have us over to trim their tree.  This year Violet decided upon a Blue Spruce living tree.  I love it, I think Todd and I are going to try a living tree next year....

This has been the best Christmas so far,  Finn is so excited about all things Christmas that I have found a freshness and excitement I haven't felt since my own childhood.  How can you not smile when your son wakes up singing Christmas carols?  It is the cutest thing ever!

Trimming the Tree together

Families are Forever

This photo brings tears to my eyes, will I ever get tired of seeing my husband putting ornaments on the tree. 

 

While we were busy hanging ornaments, Kirra was in the kitchen making Carrot Cake cupcakes with Cream Cheese frosting for her Bowling birthday party the next day.

She used real, edible flowers dipped in chocolate for the toppers, compliments of her grandmother.

Aren't they just lovely?

Didn't she do a beautiful job? 

We were even visited  by angels,

they were a sight to behold.

Merry Christmas Everyone

THE LANDINGS

Our local airport recently went through a major renovation, new terminal and all!  When we dropped Gus off earlier this month we had just enough time to enjoy the new restaurant (The Landings) during happy hour.

For five people, two of us drinking cocktails...the total came to $19.50!!  Now when does that happen at a restaurant let alone an airport restaurant?  We had such an amazing time eating, drinking and watching airplanes land and takeoff that Violet wanted to go back with Kirra and Kayla.  We went last Friday after work.......

We had an ideal table right next to the window looking out upon the taxiway, Todd better be careful his face may stay that way!!  Don't you just love the tree with twinkly lights over our table?

Kirra & Finn

Nachos

I also love going out to eat during the Christmas season due to the holiday decorations.....why does the food taste better when you are surrounded by Christmas trees, angels and sparkly lights?

If you get to Palomar Airport.....make it a point to stop in at THE LANDINGS during happy hour!!

ADVENT

Thanks to our German Advent Calendar, we realized this morning that there are only seven more days till Christmas.....

Good Grief

This year I mounted the Advent over our archway...

this way Finn couldn't sneak into future days.

Final countdown,

Are You Ready?

SANTA

Finn loves to talk about Santa, he loves to watch Santa movies and even color Santa in his coloring books but sit on his lap..........

OUT OF THE QUESTION!!!

Can you tell by this picture?  This is as close as Finn wanted to get and he kept looking at Santa to make sure he wasn't getting any closer.........overall it turned out to be a good holiday photo of the Gustafson's, except for Gus hiding behind his wife!! 

Ho Ho Ho

THE GRINCH/OLD GLOBE

I have seen the Grinch at the Old Globe three times during the Christmas season, always with other people's children.  Since our first Christmas with Finn I have been patiently waiting for the right time to experience the Grinch with my own child.  I wanted to make sure he was old enough to appreciate the Theatre experience as well as limited fear of the Grinch (he can be scary). 

This was the year!!

We purchased our tickets back in September and counted down to the 27th of November.  We figured the four day Thanksgiving weekend would be a great time to kick off our 2010 Christmas Season.  Can you believe Todd has never been to the Old Globe?  How can you live in San Diego without ever attending a live show at the Globe? 

Finn and I in front of the Whoville Christmas Tree

We did visit the Whoville General Store,

we bought a "Grinch" Tree Ornament as a remembrance of this special evening.

When you bring a child into an adult setting, whether it is to a play, a concert, or even a Football game...you never know how they are going to act.  You want them to enjoy it as much as you do (and behave)....but with children it is totally unpredictable!  When I was selecting our seats I made sure we had balcony/box seats in case we needed to make a quick getaway (I try to think ahead as much as possible) Guess what?  HE LOVED IT!  My worries were for naught. 

After we were let out of the Old Globe Theatre we walked through Balboa Park, unbeknownst to us when we selected the date it was also the night of Balboa Park's Tree Lighting Ceremony. We rounded the corner towards the tree just at they counted down to lighting blastoff!  Truly a magical evening!  

How many children do you think have climbed all over these columns through the years?  In good parenting form, we made him get down and behave like a polite, well mannered child.  He does have it in him when he wants to be!  Merry Christmas everyone.....I hope your December has been as magical as mine has been so far!

TREE HUNTING

Not sure how it started or how many years back it goes but Devon usually accompanies Todd and I on our quest for the perfect Christmas tree, we both go home with our own idea of the perfect  Tree.....with the help of Todd's muscle's of course! 

Don't you just love it when your man  has his wallet out?

The boys have been so much fun this Christmas season....they were active participants in picking out the tree!  Can this be the tree Tiago and Devon have been looking for?!?!?!?  My favorite part is undoing the twine and watching what emerges as Todd twirls and stomps the tree!

 Finn and Tiago couldn't wait to see what was waiting under the twine....

The perfect tree was found for Tiago and Devon....can't you tell by Tiago's smile?  He has the best smile...very infectious!

Ahhhh...Todd's muscles in use!

Tree's are strapped down and ready to drive home......

who is that in the driver's seat?

 Tiago and Finn

O.M.G.

Our trees will never make it home!

The boys deserved a hot cocoa for all their hard work.  We couldn't have done it without them this year!  Hurray for 4 year olds!

I MET A ROCKETTE

The Radio City Rockette's

This will be the one and only time you will see me in the line up with the Rockette's.  They were even more beautiful up close. 

When Angie and her girls invited me to see the Rockette's Christmas Spectacular for my birthday....I had no idea it would include VIP Passes to Club 3500 and a personal meet & greet with the Rockette's!!!

RECOMMENDATION:  If you get the chance to see the Radio City Rockette's........

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! 

You must see the Toy Solider line up with canon in person!

CEDAR CREEK INN - SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO

When my parents started asking me what I wanted to do for my birthday.....all I could say was "Cedar Creek Inn".  I LOVE their Crab Cakes.........need I say more?

My wish came to true, at first I thought it was just going to be Todd, Finn and I with my parents..............much to my surprise, my entire family was there waiting in surprise....even my niece and nephew! 

Cedar Creek Inn - San Juan Capistrano

My birthday falls at a beautiful time of year........everything is decorated for Christmas, including the lobby at the restaurant.  Our table was right next to the 12' Christmas tree, perfect for dining with 3 children under the age of 4. 

After dinner we strolled around Old San Juan.......at one point my father stopped us all to share his memories regarding the night I was born.  It was very special, tears were shed!  I even learned some new tidbits about the night before my birth.  My poor father had no idea what was in store for him!!

Lovely Ladies Window Shopping

Me - Kara - Mother - Devon

Your eyes aren't deceiving you....

the MEN Window Shopping

Men Lounging

(Best Starbucks Coffee Shop Ever,

in an old warehouse in Ole' San Juan)

Cousins enjoying Christmas Cookies from

Grandma Cher & Grandpa Robert

It's not very often that we find ourselves all together, out and about relaxing over a cup of coffee or hot chocolate....it was wonferful, this was my view as I came back with my Mocha...my beautiful family filled up half the coffee shop.

We finished the evening at my parents.....we walked their street to view the Life Size Nativity Scene at one of their neighbors....it was the best one  have seen.  Where can I find one like this? 

The children loved Baby Jesus!

The Grandchildren finished the evening assisting Grandma Cher with her German Erzgebirgische Candle Nativity. 

Thank you family for giving me a fabulous Birthday Evening!!  Memories created to last a lifetime....I hear Mom and Dad are going to head back to the coffee shop as soon as time permits.....enjoy and think of me!

40

For those of you not living on planet Earth and haven't heard the news, I TURNED FORTY!  I know it is just a number but I can't believe forty years have come and gone!  I loved my thirties and am praying this new decade is just as fullfilling! 

My brother and his wife along with their three beatiful children sent 40 Long Stemmed Pink Roses to my work.  Biggest boquet I have received to date!

My birthday fell on a weekday...which meant I spent the day at work surrounded by presents, flowers, wine and chocolate with visits from friends and family. 

The roses englufed my kitchen table

Presents from Kara - Devon - Robert

This was the birthday of siblings......all three of my siblings honored and took part in my birthday!  Both my sisters stopped by to wish me a Happy Birthday and to shower me with gifts.  I was surrouned by them all!  I LOVE YOU KARA, DEVON and ROBERT.  Forever we will be sisters and brother....thank you all for making my birthday one of the best ever!

You want to know what Finn and Todd gave me?!?!?!?!?  Can you guess?!?!?!?

P.S.  Thanks Robert for all your input......your Sales Skills paid off on my husband and I reaped the rewards! 

YESTERDAY DEL MAR TODAY NEW ZEALAND

It's that time again......time for Gus to go back to work.  Want to know where he is going this time?  NEW ZEALAND  He leaves San Diego in the middle of winter and will arrive in Auckland just in time for Summer.  

Gus arranged for us to spend his last night in San Diego at the Del Mar Holiday Lights. Isn't it nice when the men in your life make the arrangements?  Doesn't happen often but when it does....it's magical!

Have you ever been to the Holiday of Lights at the Del Mar Race Track?  We go every year, it is a must on our things to do during the Christmas Season.  They set up the most incredible larger than life "LIGHT SHOW" around the Race Track....you actually drive onto the track and turn your radio dial to a station that plays only Christmas music.  On slow nights you can go around as many times as you can handle.

Surfin Socal Santa

Volleyball Elf's....in motion

Kirra and Finn in the bed of the truck....oohing and ahhhing over the lights.  Yes, your eyes are not deceiving you, they let children hang out in the back as long as we stay on the track.....like the good ol' days!

 

This was our favorite part......

Finn driving.......thank goodness Gus had control of the gas pedal.  It was a lovely "last" evening with Gus before he headed off to New Zealand.  It's mind boggling to think that as I type this entry.....Gus is landing in Auckland! 

Bon Voyage....see you in 2011 Gus!