Christmas in California

Are we ever home? After a quick two weeks of MORE unpacking back in Tucson we left it all behind for a break in California. We had a wonderful time and saw plenty of friends and family. A few days before Christmas Cory and Brandy drove up from LA. It was SO much fun to spend time with them. Their cute dog Rocco came too, which the kids loved.

The best Christmas eve's eve surprise was finding out that Cory and Brandy are having a baby girl!!!! We are so excited! Another cousin for Jay and Amaya. We loved watching the ultra sound video and seeing Brandy's cute little baby bump. Hooray for babies! We're so happy for them and can't wait to meet their tiny baby girl - who of course is going to be unbelievably gorgeous. Just look at the couple!

Before Christmas day Jay helped Nonna put up some candy canes on the tree.

Mostly he wanted to eat them, but hanging them up was good too.

Christmas was so fun this year. Jay was SUPER excited for it. He is really into the whole Santa, Reindeer, presents thing. We definitely encouraged it with plenty of Christmas movies and music. On Christmas Eve we watched the Santa NORAD tracker all night - Jay was glued to it and thoroughly enjoyed updating everyone on Santa's status. It was fun being able to tell him, "Hey, Santa's in Germany now. We used to live there!"... or Spain, Chile etc. So fun :) We all opened one gift that night, a Christmas eve tradition. The adult "kids" seriously scored. Both Cory and Brandy and Mike and I received a brand new Cannon Rebel camera!!! I was thrilled! Thanks mom and dad. I've been wanting one for a long time. My parents are so thoughtful and generous! After the gift opening followed by leaving cookies and milk out for Santa (and a carrot for Ruldolph), Jay snuggled up in bed to try to fall asleep when suddenly he heard sleigh bells jingling outside his window! What in the 'mazing?? It was all rather exciting. Jay couldn't even believe it. Eventually he willed himself to sleep, knowing he had to be asleep before Santa would come down the chimney, and the rest of us watched our traditional Johnson Christmas movie, Scrooged. I sure love 4 year olds!!!

Christmas morning we woke up to a tree BURSTING with presents underneath. We all had a stocking waiting for us too. Next to Jay's was a brand new Big Wheel!

He also got a tractor from Santa (he's been asking Santa for one since talk of Christmas began) and plenty of candy and goodies too. Amaya wasn't forgotten by Santa either. She was pretty excited about her stocking... mostly just the eating the candy wrappings part, but for her it was a pretty good deal.

Once all the adults woke up we all opened the rest of our presents. Besides the camera, my favorite was a popcorn popper from Santa and cool popcorn tins from Cory and Brandy. Here are some more pictures from the morning (taken with my NEW camera!!!).

After opening presents we all went to a movie (minus Nonna Great, Nonna and Amaya). Then we went home for an amazing Christmas dinner made by the non-movie goers. Yes, we definitely owe them big time! It was a wonderful Christmas and we're so happy we were able to spend it with our family whom we LOVE. We are so grateful for them all!!!