Ahhhh Christmas!

So Christmas this year was just a bit different, but awesome! Grandpa Bill had been inviting us to his house for Christmas for months, so we decided that we would surprise him on Christmas Eve and just show up.

We got up at 3:00 AM Christmas Eve morning so we could be out of here by 4:00. It's a 10 hour drive and we wanted to be there in time to see the sunset at the beach. Steve surprised us with an early Christmas present. It was a Garmin and we named it Karen, cuz that was her name and we loved her cuz she got us where ever we wanted to go, (what did we ever do without her, especially in LA!)

Anyway, after a long drive we checked into our hotel then drove to the beach. It was just about the greatest thing we have done as a family...lots of pictures below. Then, using Karen, we drove to the LA Temple to see the lights. They were pretty, but nothing compared to Salt Lake, or Mesa, sorry Grandma and Eileen.

We knew that Grandpa Bill would probably be home by this time, so again using Karen, we drove to his house. Not there! We knew that he would probably be at the Christmas Eve service at his church, and, since we had Karen, we punched in churches and found his. As we drove up their service was just ending so we hid around the corner by his truck and waited for him to walk by. As he did we started singing Christmas Carols and he looked over at us and just about pulled a gun on us. I think we startled him a bit. My Grandpa (Bill's dad) was visiting from Florida so it was fun to surprise him too.

After we all settled down a bit we went to his house to visit. The next morning we were all going to go to Christmas Morning Service with them, but Raddon decided to wake up early and go exploring in the hotel. Unfortunately he got stuck in the elevator, for about 1 1/2 hours! The girls and boys were in different rooms, on different floors, so while I was getting ready I could hear the sirens (from the fire trucks!) and felt so bad for some poor family. Little did I know that my poor little guy was in dire need of his mother. And, of course his dad didn't want me on scene until they had him out! The nerve! Anyway, the front desk clerk finally had to call the fire department to come and help, and they got him out. They were great! They took everyone on a ride in the fire Truck after the trauma. :)

Steve had to come home early, to be back at church, so we took him to the airport after that. Sad he had to leave on Christmas Morning, but we had fun while we had him!

We spent the day visiting with family, and the next day we visited Nancy's family and my Aunt Maxine. She was always my favorite aunt, and it was nice to see her again.

On Monday we were able to go to the Reagan Library in Simi Valley. So glad we were able to do that. I loved President Reagan, and being reminded of his positive presidency again was refreshing.

It has been one of the best Christmas Breaks I can remember. Tomorrow we all go back to school, except Mandy and Kale. Mandy is home until April, YAY!...and Kale goes back next week. :( I love my family, and love all the time we are able to spend together, and the fun we have!