A very Waldorf Christmas

On December 30th our Waldorf Teacher Jerre invited all of us to her home for a Christmas party. It wasn't your typical Christmas party but it was very beautiful! Jerre had a tea party for the children all laid out on her table. And we got to sit around her Christmas tree that had real candles on it while we sang Christmas Carols and Jerre told us a Christmas story. After we left Darrin said, "That was a very magical evening." I would have to agree!

The Christmas Tea

Jerre's Christmas Tree with real candles!

Christmas In Meadow Vista

It's very important to me that as Charley gets older we celebrate Christmas at home. I just find it so much more appealing than lugging a child and presents all over the country. So this was our first year celebrating Christmas at our home in Meadow Vista. But we made sure to include New Mexico by having a New Mexican inspired Christmas dinner which included homemade tamales, posole, and biscochitos!

Here are a few photos of Christmas morning from a two year old's perspective!

Christmas Morning!

Checking out the table Santa brought her

Opening her stocking!

Christmas with Darrin's family!

Zizi and Steve

Pop and Gaga

Enjoying her new tea set and table from Santa!

A few days after Christmas Grandpa Allen and Marilyn visited us on their way back from Reno

  

Opening presents with Grandpa and Marilyn

Grandpa and Marilyn liked the new family photo we gave them

Reading her new book with Grandpa

Playing with Grandpa

December Happenings

I am determined to get this blog up to date by Easter! So Stay Tuned for more postings!

When we returned home form our visit to Albuquerque, Winter decided to follow us! This was the first snow at our home in Meadow Vista and we were all very excited to see it! Except maybe the chickens!

The house looked so pretty!

Look, It's Snowing! :)

The chickens were happy to be dry under their roof!

The view down our very looong drive way!

Backyard pic!

Only in California can you have snow one week and
go Mandarin picking the next!

This kid cracks me up, here she is pretending that the
plunger is a horn!

In Mid December we had our 1st Attachment Parenting Christmas Party. My good Friend Kirsten hosted it at her mom's house in Auburn. It was huge success! One of the highlights at the party for the kids was the drum set that was downstairs, thankfully!

Our Little Drummer Girl!

Everyone had a great time! 

Giving Wyatt a hug!
This was the first time she let another child
willingly give her a hug!

Hanging out in the wagon with her friends
Wyatt and Ryan

Right before Christmas we went to visit the "Victorian Christmas" in Nevada City. 

Nevada City is so quaint and cute and it was a lot of fun! Charley's favorite thing was 

the Walking Christmas Tree!

Hanging out in Nevada City

The Christmas Faire

The Walking Christmas Tree

The church in on Main Street looked so pretty all lit up!

Before we left Albuquerque we had our family portrait taken. It turned out Surprisingly well considering it was a bit of a rough session! We received it just in time to send out to everyone as our Christmas card.

New Mexico Visit Part Two

 Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays! 

My mother has always instilled in us an appreciation for tradition 

so it was a real treat to get to spend Thanksgiving in New Mexico this year.

Getting some daddy time in while mommy and grandma cook

Here was my contribution to Thanksgiving!
A brown sugar and cinnamon meringue sweet potato pie!

The traditional family Antipast!
No Holiday is complete without it!

Charley enjoyed helping Grandma give Isla and Quinn treats during our visit! 

She would tell them, "No, No barking!

 Playing with Grandpa! 

We were afraid she was going to bury him and 

we wouldn't be able to find him underneath the pile of toys! 

On Saturday after Thanksgiving we got to help 

Auntie Katie and Uncle Skyler move into their new home in Albuquerque!

For six years I have been mentoring a girl on the Jemez Pueblo named Taina. She is now twelve years old and in Middle School. We were able to meet up with Taina and her family at Chuck E Cheese for the afternoon. It was wonderful to see them!

 Checking out Chuck E Cheese

Me and Taina

Taina with her sisters

On one of our final evenings in Albuquerque we went to the restaurant High Noon in Old Town to check out their upside down Christmas tree and then we took Aunt Mar with us to see the River of Lights at the Albuquerque BioPark.

Upside down Christmas Tree at High Noon

 The River of Lights had some really neat displays this year! 

Walking through the River of Lights

Group Photo!

Before we left town we snuck in one last playdate with Brittany and Kaelynn. 

We took them to the new play place on the west side called Red Light Green Light!

Who let these two behind the wheel?

Building with the big blocks!

Goodbye Albuquerque we had lots of fun! We love you all!