Snow Day

So a tradition has started and is now in its 8th year (I think) that my brother Scott brings snow to Southern California well at least at his house. It started in the beginning that he would drive up to the mountains fill a truck full of snow and then empty it on his front lawn. However it has changed quite a bit he now has found a company that brings it to him. The kids have sooooo much fun every year having snow ball fights and sledding. This year Jake was a crack up he carried his sled up and down the ramp nonstop for about 2 hours he didn't want to stop. Towards the end of the day some of the boys tried to be adventurous and surf down the hill it was fun watching them all try. Tera was awesome and had a constant supply of hot cocoa, bagels, and muffins to feed the hungry kids. I think this is one of the kids favorite Christmas traditions and we really appreciate being a part of it each year.

After the kids were done playing in the snow my family had a Christmas party and dinner. It is always a lot of fun! For the past couple of years us siblings have given each other white elephant gifts just to mix it up a little. The gifts are always crazy, funny, and make for a good laugh.

My parents gifts are always very thoughtful and this year was no exception. They had my Grandfathers map of the war along with his picture, awards, and discharge papers all framed and matted for each of us. General Patten ordered that an accurate map be kept of their progress through Europe. So my grandfather having an art background was ordered to draw the map which ended up taking him 2 years because of all the detail.(excuse all of the Christmas stuff in front of it...we haven't hung it yet)