December 2011

JAPANESE FRIENDSHIP GARDEN:

We went to Balboa park to see the street performers and the gardens.

CHRISTMAS DAY:

We had Christmas on Sunday and had to open Santa's presents and then go to church. Lainy got a Strawberry Shortcake clubhouse and Seth got a toy vacuum.

CHRISTMAS EVE:

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph played by Aubrey, Seth, and Elaina on Christmas Eve. It is a tradition to read Luke 2 on that night.

SAN DIEGO TEMPLE AT CHRISTMAS:

We made it to the temple in the month of December and got to see the Christmas decorations there.

CHRISTMAS CARD LANE:

In Rancho Penasquitos, we liked the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer display.

HO HO HO:

Aubrey Elle got to dress up like Santa for Christmas this year.

THE MISSION INN:

The Mission Inn in Riverside was uncrowded when we went to see the Christmas lights last year because it rained. This year, it was really crowded. There was an ice rink, and reindeer on display. Rain has its advantages though, because we couldn't get into many parts of the hotel due to the crowds.

SNOW AT SEA WORLD:

Elaina ate the snow. Seth slipped in it and hurt his bum. It was fun to play in the snow in Southern California.

SEA TURTLES AT SEA WORLD:

We love turtles in our family so we loved this exhibit.

OUR CHRISTMAS CARD PICTURE:

We got a passable picture of the 5 of us at the ward Christmas party, where we enjoyed the traditional fare of ham and funeral potatoes.

DECEMBER NIGHTS:

We got there early with our 3 kids this year and we didn't stay there as late. This is the one religious display of Jesus Christ's birth at Balboa Park. At least the ACLU hasn't gotten rid of this one yet.