Christmas Break 2011

There's an old Chinese proverb:

"Some holiday seasons you sit on your fat rear in the dark, glossy-eyed with your hood on playing Angry Birds while your baby jabs you in the ribs.

Some holiday seasons you party like a rock star, looking better than ever, while your baby jabs you in the ribs."

Brutal, I know, but that's life.

I am thankful this was a Yang year and not that pesky Yin.

This holiday season went long and strong. Like this post.

We saw lots of these:



And these:



We went to some of these:



We put up some of these:





And watched some of these:



For the first time, we sent one of these:



And in return, we LOVED receiving all of these:



And after all that, we decided to take this party to the next level- in California.



Flat Brady came and visited us in Chicago. This was my 3rd flat Stanley. Flat Tim came and visited me while I lived in the dorms at BYU and Flat Jason came to watch me present my thesis.



Yeah, he can fit in an envelope, but we thought we'd treat him to a nice plane ride back home instead.







At first all the sunshine was weirding me out. I snorted at people who said it was cold outside. I was irked that I couldn't wear a sweater. Then I realized I was acting like a Midwesterner and punched myself in the face.



By the end of the trip I had highlighted my hair and was listening to Foster the People with the windows down.



Danny had no trouble acclimating.



I got home right in time to Persian Party with Kimi before her WEDDING.



My Goddess Oracle reading this time around:

Goddess Yemanya- Golden Opportunity – Important doors are opening for you right now. Walk through them.

I dig.

Proof it's all real- Kimi drew the cards of New Beginnings and Fertility.





Newport Beach- my temple


Most amazing wedding dress I've ever seen.









Belle LOVED the reception



Power nap





Belle stole this.



We tried to stay at both houses. First half- Streadbeck adult zone. Second- Francis child circus.



Belle LOVED all the extra uncle attention.



I've never seen her laugh so hard.

Tim was so gracious to let us stay in my old room. It has transformed a bit. Wish I took a picture of the wall to wall basketball posters. I guess I couldn't resist the medicine cabinet:



Sorry to invade you personal space, Tim. If you need somewhere to lay low after you kill that person- my couch has your name on it!



Belle pretty much lived in the walker my mom bought her.



We made a pretty cool gingerbread house.







Chuck-E-Cheese trip.












Dad's birthday party.



Belle got a balloon.



Christmas Eve at Grandma's house!















Thanks 2nd cousin Dean!



Back to Streadbecks' to open pjs.







And then back to Francis'.



Belle was perfect. She squealed and clapped for all her presents.



Apparently Tim reads my blog.



Church at 3rd ward. Really cool to see everyone home for the holidays.



Skype sesh with our missionary.



Did you know Jon's a chef? Grandma Great joined us for Jon's amazing 4 course dinner.

Streadbeck Christmas



"This photo sums up this Christmas." -Danny



New trick: We say "No-no-no, Belle." She responds "Yeah-Yeah-Yeah."



After skyping with our other missionary- Kevin- we got to do Christmas morning all over again!



So fun to see Belle and Kaia together. They loved sharing gifts.



Gal pal get-together:



There's mystery afoot in the Big Easy- Midas King, Pierre DuPre, has been murdered, strangled with a set of Mardi Gras beads. Pierre was always suspicious of those looking to sink their claws into his fortune. Was it the greed of those around him that put old Pierre in the grave? His beloved family members, friends and neighbors have now become suspects in the Garden District murder!



The victim



The crime scene.



The murder weapon.



Erin did it. Brady wanted to know what we did to her....I think we gave her a prize. Oops.



There was a time in my life where if I wasn't dancing somewhere on New Years Eve I would consider the holiday a complete failure. But I rather enjoyed my low-key New Years Eve with the Titeras this year.

Of course Belle stayed up until midnight.



We really should end this. Our trip was almost three weeks- I could go on forever! Go check on your child. If they are anything like mine, they have probably climbed on top of your nightstand and are jumping up and down as we speak.

I'll wrap this up by saying how grateful I am that I can go off on these adventures- away for college and now Chicago- but I always have Southern California to come home to. I'm very lucky to have such deep roots there. And I wish all you other people outside of California would just uproot your lives and go move there already! Just kidding....not really.

Anywho. May your days in 2012 be merry and bright. And may none of you Christmases be white.