Merry Christmas...

It was another great Christmas this year. We had two great days of family, food (LOTS of food), and fun! Christmas Eve was spent at the Jacobs' and Christmas Day we were at my parents house. After we got home on Christmas Eve, we baked and set out our cookies and milk for Santa...Kate and Luke have been learning all about Santa bringing presents as a symbol of the wise men bringing Jesus gifts. Christmas morning was a lot of fun! The kids were, of course, up early and ready to see what Santa had left for them. Here are a few pictures from our evening & morning at home:

Setting out cookies & milk...

How could faces like these be anywhere but the "Nice List"?

Mr. Clause spent a great deal of time (a bit too much time if you ask Mrs. Clause) setting up the gifts to look just right...

Santa loved his cookies...

Trying out the goods...




After many failed attempts, we finally got a decent family picture by the tree...

Irvine Railroad...

Last night, we made our 2nd annual visit to the Irvine Regional Park Christmas Train. We were supposed to go last week with friends but, due to illness, had to reschedule. And, of course, the day we end of rescheduling for is freezing! Okay, okay, settle down all you non-Southern California folk! It wasn't really freezing but it was below 50* and there was wind and, let's face it, we're California born and bred...so we were cold! The kids did pretty well in the first 1/2 hour but after that we had probably 15 combined minutes of pleasantness (two 5 min. train rides and 5 min. with Santa) out of 2 1/2 hours. Long lines, cold weather, and late bedtimes for the last few days did not make for a very happy 2 year old. Needless to say, Luke was not as well behaved as I would have liked but for those three 5 minute intervals we had a great time. To top it off, my camera battery died just before we got to Santa so we had to buy their print and since my scanner isn't working I took a picture of the picture so excuse the poor quality.

Kate took Luke by the hand and they walked right up to Santa. Luke was quite star-struck. =)

By next year, we'll have forgotten all the mishaps and will, hopefully, have a better time. At least the only picture evidence of the night includes smiles so we can just pretend it was a great evening. ;)

Just because he's so cute...

Luke's survival test...

Today, Luke had and passed his Watersafe survival test at swim lessons! I was prepared for anger as the test consists of sneaking up and tossing them in the pool fully clothed. And boy was he angry! His instructor, Scott, took him by the hand right when we got there, walked down the side of the pool, picked him up and in he went. As soon as he came to the surface he looked at Scott like, "What the heck?!" He went straight into his back float and, despite screaming and crying, eventually got himself to the edge of the pool. I was very proud of him! I videotaped the whole thing but am unable to upload from my camera so here are some pictures Craig took...

Get ready...

Get set...


Go!


"What just happened?!"

Not too happy...


Almost there...


He made it!!



High five!


He got a ribbon and a bracelet saying "I passed my advanced survival test!"

And got to ring the bell...

Great job, Luke!!

Ostermann Christmas...

On Sunday, the Ostermann clan gathered for a Christmas reunion. Curt & Brenna were nice enough to host and almost the entire family was in attendance to enjoy Naples Rib Co. and some catching up. With some much going on amongst the relatives (an upcoming wedding and 2 new babies on the way) was a fun night of playing, talking, and celebrating with those we don't get to see often enough.

I love their little outfits, so I had to get a picture...

Cousins....

The highlight of Luke's night was getting to feed Maddie & Bella...

A good time had by all! Hopefully, it will be the start of a tradition we can continue through the years minus the sickness that followed...apparently we shared more than food, news, and good times as MANY of us came down with a nasty stomach bug this week. How's everybody feeling?

Happy Birthday, Johnny J...

Today is Johnny's 31st birthday. The birthday boy started off the morning with a breakfast burrito from Nick's II, then we picked up Kate a little early from school and spent a couple of hours at Disneyland. This evening we went to dinner with John's parents, his brother, Jeff, and Jeff's girlfriend, Stephanie. It was a nice, kid free (thanks, Mom!), evening out with delicious food. After dinner, we came home for cake and presents.

Dinner and a birthday dessert...and, of course, the moustache

Cake time...

Kate giving Daddy the card she made for him...


Presents...

(Maybe a new shirt will bring a little luck to the Redskins. Here's hoping!)

'Stache attack!


Happy Birthday, Johnny J! ♥

A party & a pageant...

We had a fun weekend this past weekend. On Saturday, Kate got decked out Minnie-style and attended Anna's 3rd birthday party. Emily, as usual, did a great job and put together a fun, red/black/white classic Minnie Mouse shin-dig. Kate had a great time swinging, coloring, bouncing, and decorating her own cupcake.

Happy Birthday, Anna!

On Sunday, Kate was an angel in our church's Kids Crew Christmas pageant, "A Night In Bethlehem." What a show! The kids were all so cute and did a great job telling the story of the night our Savior was born. I only took a few pictures as I videotaped most of it. Kate was so blessed to have all of her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousin in attendance to support and cheer her on. She had so much fun singing with her friends and can't wait to play in the bell choir next year. =)

Pre-pageant pizza party

Angel choir, King Herod, shepherds, Mary, & Joseph

Our little angels...

Kate & Reagan stuck together all night as good angel buddies should. =)

Kate's turn...

Tonight, while putting Kate to bed....

Me: "I need to go clean up the house. How is it that we make such a mess everyday?"
Kate: "Well, we play, we cook, and...it's our life!" (with a shrug as if to say, "That's the way it goes!")

She cracks me up.

Out of the mouth of babes...

My kids, like any other kid, say some pretty funny things and I realize that I will quickly forget them all if I don't start documenting. So, where better to document than on our blog. Here is my favorite one this week...

Luke: "Mommy, I want McQueen (from the movie Cars) shoes."
Mommy: "Well, Luke, maybe we should put them on your Christmas list."
Luke: "No, I no want put them on my Christmas list! I want put them on my feet!"