The Szabo Zoo: December 2011

Monday, December 26, 2011

Christmas Day

We had Christmas morning at our house with just the 3 of us. We enjoyed a leisurely morning of eating breakfast & opening presents from Santa in our pajamas.

Then we were off to Pappy & Mammie's for an early Christmas dinner with the Szabo family.

Bennett thought he should wear his tie onesie to dress up a bit.

He got a sweet fishing pole from Uncle Wyley & Aunt Brittany

And a sweet train from Uncle Steven

Uncle Steven & his girlfriend Jen

He skidded around the house in his new Radio Flyer

Just chillin with Uncle Jordy & loving his new beenie & sunglasses.

Luke's cousin MeKenna (which makes her Bennett's second cousin? Or first cousin once removed? Or second cousin once removed? Who knows!?!) loved spending time with Jolie & Bennett. They adore her!

MeKenna, Ashlee, & Bev

Bennett loves his Pappy & Mammie!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

Luke, unfortunately, had to work on Christmas Eve, but Bennett & I had a fun-filled day.

We went to the Christmas Eve service at North Coast Calvary with Jordy, Darcy, Jolie, Mammie, Pappy, Gigi, and the Henkens (Darcy's family). They had a petting zoo set up for the kids & the little ones loved it.

We went to Jordy & Darcy's for a nap & then headed to our church to help out in the Little Coasters classroom. (Bennett & I volunteer 2 weeks a month in the 10-17 month classroom.) Luke got off work a little early & he drove out to meet us. Then we went home & opened one present...new Christmas pajamas!

Bennett thought it was great fun to sword fight the tree.

"Do I just rip this?"

Enjoying his new pajamas while looking at pictures of himself opening presents

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Early Christmas with the Friesen Family

The weekend before Christmas weekend, the Friesens came down from Bakersfield to visit. They stayed with us and we had tons of fun. Luke was off on Saturday so we hung out all day & BBQed that night.

The cousins loved playing outside in our yard.

Swinging

Bennett & Shannon feeding the fishies in the pond

Luke & Mark

Bennett & Kevin played in the sand box for quite a while

Shannon & Bennett sitting on the kitchen stools watching me cook

Monkey PJ time by the fire

The next morning we headed over to the Szabo grandparents for an early Christmas brunch. It was DELICIOUS as always & we exchanged gifts with Mark, Timarie, Kevin, & Shannon.

Bennett got a sweet rocking horse. He was a little uncertain about it at first, but he has come to LOVE it! He even takes time to give his horsie drinks of water from his sippy cup. So nice to share!

Of course Jordy, Darcy, & Jolie came over too.

Here's a cousin pic.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

MOPS

These past few months I have been part of a group called MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers).
We meet at our church every 1st & 3rd Thursday morning to hear good speakers, meet other moms, eat delicious food, do fun crafts, & just enjoy some good conversation & discussion.
It has been such a blessing.

This is my table group

As a fundraiser, each December we put on a fashion show/boutique sale. Tons of different vendors sell things at extremely discounted prices & MOPS makes a profit to keep costs down for childcare & membership.
2 people from each table were picked at random to model the clothes before the sale started. I happened to be one of those people. My big prego belly & I got up on stage to strut our stuff! We got full hair & makeup beforehand. It turned out to be quite a fun night! I guess my modeling career has begun.

(Thought I'd show off how big the belly is getting!)

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Christmas parties

Each year there are always so many holiday parties to attend.
Unfortunately this year we weren't able to make it to all of the parties, but we still managed to dress up in green & red, have some apple cider, take part in gift exchanges, and get into the spirit of Christmas!

We had our growth group over for a Christmas dinner/gift exchange. The kiddos loved playing together since they normally only see each other for a few minutes & then go to sleep in side-by-side pack-n-plays while we have Bible study.

Jordy & Darcy...Jolie's wandering somewhere

Leif & Marisa...Canon must be with Jolie

Evan, Tyler, & Desi...poor Tyler got sick as the evening went on & couldn't play for long

Lorna, Landon, & Kieran

Landon had a fan club

The girls & kids
(I didn't get a couples shot of the Beiswengers...so in front is Karen with sleepy Ava)

The dads with the kids
(Szabo, Szabo, Palmquist, Swanson, Beiswenger, Leathers)

My friend, Kelly had an ornament exchange party. Everyone brings an unwrapped tree ornament & hangs them on display. Then just like a gift exchange, you draw numbers & pick ornaments. Of course, there is stealing involved, which always makes for excitement!
I got a pickle ornament...has anyone heard of the pickle ornament tradition? It sounds like a fun one to start!

My mom happened to be down because it was her Wednesday to watch Bennett, so she came too! It was fun to have a little Christmas celebration with her.

The girls

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Santa...

...didn't go so well.

As assumed, Bennett was not too happy about sitting on Santa's lap, but we didn't expect him to be SO ANGRY about it. For a pretty mild mannered kid, he was quite mad. I guess everyone needs a picture like that.
Poor Bennett. And poor Santa!

Friday, December 9, 2011

The Tree

It is so fun to see Bennett get excited for Christmas.

He really has no idea what Christmas is about, but he is loving the tree, the Christmas lights, the decorations, the Christmas music...the list could go on. I love these things about Christmas too, and I can only imagine that it gets more & more fun each year as kids start to understand more & more. What fun!

He was really into the pine needles all over the ground. He took handfuls of needles & threw them up in the air, laughing the whole time. His head was covered.