Oakland Temple Christmas Lights

Our yearly tradition of going and seeing the temple lights this year was a little different but not much. We did have our normal company of our friends. Instead we got to enjoy having Tracie and John and their family come with us. (we love that they live closer to us) Our two good friends and their families were supposed to join us but they couldn't for various reasons. Tracie and John have never been to see these temple lights so we were excited to have them join us and be a part of our family tradition.

We all loaded into our car and headed to the Oakland Temple.

We walked round and enjoyed the atmosphere of being on the temple grounds.

It was a little cold and wet, but not that horrible. The kids got cold near the end. 

Enjoying the View!

Beautiful!

Mckinley inspecting her gloves! Cedar and Scarlett posing for a picture.

Tracie, John, Cedar and Bren

Our family picture in front of the temple.

We went into the visitor center and walked around, watched a short video and had another family picture taken.

We headed back to the car for some cookies, hot chocolate and apple cider (Josh made and it was amazing)

Being able to go to the temple with our kids and walk around is a tradition I hope our kids never forget. I remember going it as a kid. I love being at the temple and the feelings you have while being there. 

Girls Weekend

This year I actually got to be with my mom on her birthday. We had a short girls weekend here in California.

 

Friday night we enjoyed the evening going and seeing Brian Regan. My mom loves him. It was very fun and we had many good laughs.

Our group 

(Emily, Erika, Grandma Sam, Me, Ashley, Mom, Stef)

Waiting for the show to start 

(me, Grandma Sam, Stef, Ashley and Mom)

Mom and us sisters!

While we did our girl thing Grandpa came and stayed with Josh and the kids.

We love when grandpa has a reason to come and visit us especially when its for work and it doesn't cost him. 

Then Sunday night the kids and I headed to Oroville for a couple of days to go and help Aunt Tracie clean out some space so that she and her family can live with the parents for a while. Grandma definitely got lots of attention from the kids. 

Grandparents really are the BEST!!!

Thanksgiving Weekend!

Hosting Thanksgiving at our home with the Robertson Family has become a tradition. In years past that tradition has been broken because we have had the rare experience of being with the Cambra family.  But this year we had the Robertson Family in Lathrop!

We got to take the kids to the park and enjoy the beautiful weather. Payton and Jaydn get along really well and love playing together.

Grandma had some helpers in the kitchen while she made some pies. 

Thoma, Ella, Mckinley

We were able to go the the Bass Pro Shop and take pictures in front of their big tree and we got to go see Santa. 

Ella, Scarlett, and Mckinley)

All the cousins that were with us.

The men of the group

Our family picture!

What can I say my kids are cute!

After seeing Santa we walked around a little and these kids were not thrilled!

Saturday we got a babysitter for all the little kids and we headed to the BYU vs Cal football game.

The family that all came to the game

Payton was thrilled to be able to come!

The three youngest kids that we allowed to come to the football game with us. They were super good and had a blast!

Jaydn, Payton and Carter

The three boys spotted the cotton candy guy and went and chased him down so they could get their cotton candy.

Payton is just a cutie!

I definitely loved having Payotn with Josh and I.

The little boys and big boys sitting together. 

The football game was a good game. The score was close the whole time. We were going crazy cheering for BYU

BYU ended the game by winning. What an awesome game to be a part of. 

After the game the BYU fans stuck around and circled the whole outer perimeter of the football field while the BYU football players walked/jogged all the way around and slapped everyones hand. 

Slapping hands was definitely a highlight for a lot of the family. 

BYU WINS!!!!!

These two were cold in the car so they put their hands in their shirts!

The next morning we bathed the kids and got ready for church. Mckinley and Bren wanted to play after their baths instead of getting dressed

Mckinley, Scarlett and Cedar playing on the chair. 

Scarlett and Cedar dressed up as Snow White

Just two random pictures of Mckinley being Mckinley!