Christmas Eve & Morn

We were looking forward to our little family celebrating our first Christmas Eve in our own home, but Christmas Eve day we received an invitation from friends that we just couldn't pass up. We joined them for a yummy dinner and the reading/acting of the nativity story. It was lovely.

Bryn played the part of the angel. If you recall, the angel is the only character in the nativity story with speaking parts. Without any rehearsing, Bryn recited her lines perfectly. We were all amazed! She is so awesome!

In all my years of nativity reenactments, I don't think I've ever seen Mary ride in on the donkey. Nice touch, very realistic.

Audrey was dressed as a cute shepherd, but only for a moment. I supposed she thought the story was in need of a little Audrey spice, rather than another shepherd.

 Santa was very, very good to us this year!

 Audrey rides her quad like a pro!

 I'm not sure we've seen a day without a dress-up since this Christmas morning.

 Bryn was thrilled Santa remembered to bring her Tinkerbell Snow Fruit Snacks just like she asked for in her letter to him.

 Santa left a slinky in Audrey's stocking. It was quite a hit.

 Bryn's dress-up box even has dresses that fit Audrey Podrey.

 Reindeer Pancakes!

On Christmas morning Justin and I laid in bed awake, giddy with anticipation, waiting, and waiting, and waiting for the girls to wake up. Of ALL the days in the year to sleep in, Christmas was the day they chose! From the moment they awoke, the love, excitement, and happiness were so thick, the emotions nearly felt tangible. We feel grateful and blessed to have enjoyed such a wonderful Christmas!

December Festivities

December 1st-24th is really more fun than December 25th, don't you think? We had so much fun enjoying the Christmas season. Some of our enjoyment came from:

Going on a family date to Pier 39. We went to the aquarium, had lunch on the pier, and got to watch some men decorate the very large "holiday" tree (oh brother).

 Justin and I went on a date to a Christmas concert and lights at the Oakland Temple.

 Carrying on a tradition from my childhood: getting all dressed up to go see the Nutcracker.

Bryn and I enjoyed experiencing the Nutcracker together for the first time.

 The Santa at our local Mall brings along snow from the North Pole, so that us Californians can enjoy making snow angels when we come to greet him.

 Bryn's letter to Santa

 Putting the star on the tree

 Elfie the Elf visited us again this year! We were so surprised to come downstairs and find this special Elf breakfast waiting for us. 

 Visiting with Santa at our church Christmas party. Audrey was not a fan.

 Christmas dresses

 Bryn's dance group did a little Nutcracker performance. It was unbelievably adorable. Justin and I were star-struck while watching our little ballerina. 

Bears v. Huskies

Okay, with the third football post in a row, I guess it's time to admit...We are the Maldens, and we LOVE football.

We joined my dad and Kim at the Cal/Washington game in November. It was fun to take the girls to their first "real" game. Kim cheered on the {victorious} Huskies, but we rooted for Cal because it is our man Aaron Rodger's alma mater. Although he's been gone for a number of years now, we could still be heard shouting "Go Rodgers!" all night.

Go Cougars!

BYU came out our way to play San Jose in November. It felt good to be in a stadium filled with cougar fans (I think there were at least as many BYU fans as SJSU fans).

While tailgating before the game, Cody stepped in an enormous hole filled with muddy water. His soaking wet shoe and sock would have kept his foot colder than going bare foot, so he opted for a glove and a flip flop. It was really too bad, and I felt sad for him, but I still can't help but laugh when I see this picture:

 Code and me, and the gloved foot

 Dawnie, Knox, and Cody

 Us

 Justin and Mark

Thanksgiving

I did not pull my camera out once during the Thanksgiving season. Sad. Luckily, my mom captured some shots from our favorite holiday activity: FOOTBALL!

The following 4 shots capture the Maldens' game faces:  

 The gang. We hadn't chosen teams yet, so we were all still friendly.

 Huddle.

 Bryn scores!

 Victory lap!

(K&C--that looks like a little more than two-hand-touch over there!)

 Sometimes you just gotta take a break to love on the baby.

 Coach Audrey, "Look guys, if you're gonna win this, you've gotta step-up your game. Here's what I propose..."

Service Day

In October we participated in our community's annual service day. This makes two years in a row for us. It falls on General Conference weekend and feels like the perfect thing for us to do together as a family knowing that our littles can't possibly do 8 hours of conference in one weekend. Our project this year was so fun! We helped a local garden harvest their pumpkins and prepare for a fall festival they were having. I'm grateful our community provides projects that even little ones can help with. It is an excellent opportunity to teach our children to serve others and be involved in the community. 

Halloween

I've been meaning to blog. I really have. There are a million reasons why I should. But the ultimate motivator who has me sitting in front of my computer this afternoon is my blog's biggest fan. I just know a new post will put a smile on her face, and I look forward to reading the positive, uplifting comment she will undoubtedly leave, signed with her clever alias "GS". Grandma, this post is for you.  

 Audrey enjoyed her first pumpkin carving.

 She loved eating it! EW!

 Bryn described what the Jack o'Lantern face should look like to our expert carver.

 Bryn was asked many times what Audrey was going to be for Halloween. She always responded, "a cute little ladybug."

 Bryn was Princess Tiana for our church's Trunk-or-Treat, but on Halloween night she dressed up in her Cinderella costume from last year. I guess you can take the girl out of the princess [costume], but you can't take the princess out of the girl. 

Ooooh, spooky vampires!