Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen,
But do you recall, the most famous reindeer of all?

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Had a very shiny nose,
And if you ever saw it,
You could even say it glows.
Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah …

We had a wonderful Christmas in California this year with my dad, sister Suzanne, niece Brynn & nephew Kedryn. This was the third Christmas without my mom and the first Christmas with us all together since her passing. The chaos & craziness of 4 little munchkins running around certainly provided diversion and prevented us from sitting down for a minute & dwelling on it. No time for sitting with these crazies. Nonetheless, her presence was there and she certainly was on our minds during the holidays as she is every day.

One of Emily’s requests from Santa was nail polish! Boy was she thrilled to find it in her stocking and Papa Dave was happy to paint her fingernails and toes!!

She also received a pretty lavender long sleeve Ariel shirt from Aunt Denise, Uncle Paul, Kyle & Alexis

And a beautiful doll named Marianne from The Oma & Grandpa Dale which Brynn quickly took an interest in

Another highlight for Emily were princess & castle decals for her room from Auntie SuzyQ & Papa Dave. SuzyQ & Brynn took the time to put them up for her and she was thrilled to walk into her new Princess Room!

Max’s only request from Santa was a marble track!!! He was over the moon to receive not only one, but TWO marble tracks!!! He couldn’t get enough of playing marbles!

Papa Dave showing Max & Kedryn how to use the new race car track. The boys loved it!

Brynn was happy to receive a pink Hello Kitty purse and a pretty scarf from The Oma! She actually wore the scarf while ice skating in Tahoe! It was more of a designer, decorative scarf than a winter scarf, but Brynn didn’t seem to care! She wore it with flare!

Brynn with her new panda pillow pet from Emily & Max which she named “Oreo”

Perlar Beads were plentiful and also a huge hit with the kids! Kedryn with a fish that I made for him which he named “Q” after his mama! Ahhhhhhhhh!

Papa Dave, Max & Emily with a gift of Petit Fours from Uncle Frank. The kids were anxious to try their first petite four.

We hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful Christmas with family & friends. Here’s to a fun & fabulous 2011!

Max celebrated his 5th Birthday at SilverCreek Sportsplex in San Jose today

Peeking out from his balloons as he impatiently waits for his guests to arrive

His buddy, Brennan, was the first guest to arrive!

Sweet Christian has been a friend since Max was 4 months old.  They met in “Music Together” class at Los Gatos Rec.

Will, Brennan & Max take a quick rest before bouncing again on the inflatables

Wallace laying in the middle of the bounce house getting pummeled with balls by wild children

I think he is calling for a truce, but nobody is listening!   

An attempt to get a group BD shot of all the kids

Lining up ready to enter the party room for pizza & cupcakes

Max blowing out his candles

Family Photo in the party room:  Emily, Mommy, Max & Daddy

Will & Max after devouring a yummy cupcake

Happy 5th Birthday, Max!

Wallace wheeling out the presents, Max & Emily to the car

Max opening “Slinky Dog” from Alex & Josh

Slinky Dog was a real hit!

Happy Birthday Max!

I remember my mom every day, but on this day in particular.  This was the day, two years ago, that she was freed from the pain of ovarian cancer that inevitably took her life.  Although I feel immobolized at times with sadness, it also brings back incredibly strong wonderful memories of a person that lives on through me, my dad, my sister, her sister and many many others.

Mom & Dad

Mom & Suzanne

Mom, Brynn & me

Grandma Jane & Brynn

Grandma Jane, Kedryn & Suzanne

Nana & Max (she asked for my kids to call her “Nana”)

Meeting Emily Luisa for the first time (July 2007)

Mom, her sister (Margie), niece (Kim), & nephew (Jeff)

Uncle Tom’s Cabin in Lake City, Colorado

Emily Jane celebrating Emily Luisa’s 1st Birthday (July 22, 2008) in Los Gatos, California

She traveled from Pennsylvania to California even though she wasn’t feeling well and put up a good front

In memory of a wonderful mom to me & Suzanne, a loyal & loving wife to my dad, a generous & giving Grandma/Nana to Brynn, Kedryn, Max & Emily, a kind & caring sister to Margie, a special Aunt, an honest, true friend to many and a best friend to those lucky few.  Today and every day you remain a strong presence in my life and will always remain in my heart. 

We went to Hidden Villa in Los Altos Hills today for a Farm Tour

Sarah, Alex & Sarah’s mama, Gwyneth joined us.  Gwyneth is visiting from Wales.

The first part of the tour was the garden which didn’t hold a lot of interest for Max!  He just wanted to see the ANIMALS!  He’s not much into trying out the fruits and vegetables.

Emily enjoyed petting the sheep

She even said to me, “Take my picture, mama!”

Max really enjoyed the sheep too

He obviously got very comfortable with this particular sheep.  Max was tickling the sheep’s hind legs.  I told him that he could get kicked.  The tour guide explained that he was in the right spot to get peed on and that would be much worse than getting kicked so he went towards the front of the sheep and just leaned on her. 

Emily gets a little kiss from this sweet sheep

Couldn’t seem to capture Alex petting a sheep, but she sure did look pretty in her hot pink ruffled shirt, matching hat & necklace

I did however capture her taking lots of pictures of the chickens.  She enjoyed using Sarah’s camera!

Cock-A-Doodle-Do!  One gorgeous rooster!

SOME PIG

All and all, it was a great time for the kids & adults too.  Hidden Villa is, in my opinion, a hidden gem!

Emily getting ready for the Ariel Tea Party

Princess Alex (Cinderella) being carried into the Tea Party by her Grandpa Bee

Princess Alex & Princess Emily

Cinderella & Ariel

All the pretty princesses watching Ariel sing songs & entertain them

Princess Abby puckering up!

Princess Emily

She just got a pink butterfly painted on her cheek by Ariel herself

Princess Alex all made up

Coloring a princess

Alex & her beautiful mama, Sarah

Emily showing off her pretty pink butterfly

All the girls had a great time at the Ariel Tea Party this afternoon

We went to Winter Lodge in Palo Alto to try a little first time ice skating with Sarah, Erik, Alex & Sean on Sunday night

Max REFUSED to try ice skating so Wallace took him out on the rink in the stroller.  As a former hockey player, he was tearing around the rink … sometimes so fast that the wheels of the stroller were catching air!  Max was laughing hysterically the whole time!

Emily was keen on trying ice skating so we rented a pair of ice skates for her

Sarah & Sean having fun!

Wallace & Emily

Emily holding onto the railing

After seeing Alex, Sean, Emily, Sarah, Erik, Mommy & Daddy on skates … Max decides to give it a go! 

Max pushing Alex in the stroller to get comfortable on the ice

Max was running on the ice instead of sliding. 

Max holding onto the side of the rink.  He feel down several times, became frustrated and wanted the ice skates off ASAP.

So, back to the stroller he went … Erik & Alex pushing Max around the rink!

Wallace & Emily taking a break.

All and all it was a great first experience!  Emily, Sean & Alex seemed to really enjoy themselves.  Max … so-so, but at least he gave it a try!  We’ll try again next season!