Kenna spent days wiggling, pushing with her tongue, and obsessing over her very first loose tooth. She finally was brave enough to ask Daddy to pull her tooth out. She was surprised at how fast it was over, and she was proud of herself that she didn't even cry!
A happy, happy girl showing off her toothless smile! Kenna really wanted to meet (and catch!) the tooth fairy, but the tooth fairy was too tricky, and Kenna was too tired. Maybe next time!
I really wish we could stop Kaelyn from growing up. It is unbelievable that it has been a decade since we brought that impossibly tiny baby home for the first time! This year she has changed and grown so much--She is starting to lose her "little girlness". She wanted to decorate her cake all by herslef and asked for an MP3 player for her b-day. She still loves reading, art and horses. And now add listening to Taylor Swift on her MP3 player, and taking pictures with her new camera to the list of things she loves. She takes after her dad in being goofy and silly, and her mom in being a bit of a clean freak. We love this girl!
And we are off! We rented a 13 passenger van so all 10 of us could ride together to visit San Fransisco for the day. We had so much fun! We squished everything into one day, but we managed to eat lunch at Fisherman's Wharf, laugh at the seals, enjoy chocolate at Ghiradelli's Square, ride a cable car to Union Square, be amused by countless street entertainers, and even see the Golden Gate Bridge across the bay. We didn't get home until close to midnight, but it was WELL worth it! Such fun memories! 
I love this picture of Kenna looking out at the big ships in the bay.
Of course we had to stop at the Jelly Belly Factory. Nana and Papa told all the kids they could fill their bags with whatever kind of candy they wanted. My kids took it very seriously--they didn't mess around finding just the perfect blend of candy. It is insane the variety of candy that is in that factory! Who knew that Jelly Belly makes delicious chocolate-- I got addicted to their malt balls! Anyway, enough of the candy... the week was fantastic and so was the company!
Ok, well maybe not at out house, here we got just barely enough snow to squeak out a snowman! Our house is in "lower Paradise" --and Paradise is basically built on a giant hill. So obviously most of Paradise is higher elevtion than our house. Sometimes we don't get any snow, or just a skiff, but other parts of Paradise are covered in white! 
Our friends who live just 5 miles away had tons more snow than we did, so on our first snow day, we bundled up and drove to their house to spend the day in some real snow. We even had to put the Yukon in 4 wheel drive to get through the cul-de-sac! The kids played for hours making snow forts, snowmen, and of course having a snowball fight!
The mamas even got into the snow action. I love how in California you can pick a flower in full bloom and use it for a snowman's eyes. 
Kenna and her BFF Ellie working on some snowballs to throw at the boys.
Jaren loved tasting the snow almost as much as playing in it. Our friend Ethan showed Jaren how to lick branches like a popsicle to get the snow. So funny to see! 
Our Christmas morning tradition is that the kids wait in their room until we (the parents) come and get them. This year they were up at 6:30, all waiting in the girls' room. I love hearing the giggles and excitement drifting from the room as they hear Greg and I get up and make our way to their room. Then we all walk out together and the magic begins...
New cozy jammies for everyone!
The kiddos sporting their new luggage for our Germany trip! Woo hoo!
Kenna wondered how Santa watched her all year long and kept saying, "I hope Santa thought I was good enough to bring me toys!" Phew! She was and he did!
Jaren said family prayer on Christmas Eve. In his prayer he said, " Please bless that Santa can make it to our house safely. And I hope Jesus has a good birthday tomorrow-that he can spend some time with Mary." Oh this handsome boy melts my heart all the time!
