Joshua Tree

Nick loves climbing and spent quite a lot of time hiking and climbing in high school and college.  It's something that he misses and, this Christmas, he put REI on the top of his Christmas list so that he could gear up and get back into the sport (and teach the kiddos too).

Our whole family loves Joshua Tree so we decided to make that our destination for vacation day two.  Nick stopped by one outdoor shop for some 'climbing beta' from the locals . . . and then stopped by another climbing shop to check his facts.  Yes, he is a smart guy because the second place gave us the best information.

Outfitters where we picked up a guide book and some 'jingus' beta.

Can you find Oliver in this picture?

 The girls loved climbing too.

The girls loved perching on this rock but refused to look up for a picture.

Such great rock formations.

Perfect for lounging.

Oliver got to the shelf about 6 feet above where he is now when his shoe came off.  He felt thwarted but vowed to return and conquer the cliff.

Evelyn was impatient and started her own climb.

 Abby was the bravest of them all.

Oliver was not ready to leave but we were losing light.

It's amazing to see all of the Joshua Trees.

Especially silhouetted when the sun goes down.

Nick titled this picture 'Desert Van.'  Awesome.

Palm Desert Getaway

The best part about family vacation?  Spending time with my crazy crew.  The first activity was a little bowling.

Bowling shoes are rad.

And that hand-dryer thingy?  Also rad.

Abby, patiently waiting her turn.

Selecting the right ball.

 

Evelyn bowling with Daddy.  Her reactions were priceless. 

 

Actually, all the reactions were priceless.

Oliver has great style.  Look at that form!

 Cheering each other on was half the fun.

After bowling and lunch, Nick let me take a nap while he wrangled all three kids at the park.  Awesome, right?  Then it was off to the fire pit to make s'mores.

Evelyn ate some the marshmallows off of her roasting fork before they could be roasted.

Yum!

Best buddies.

 Oliver wanted his marshmallow to light on fire, like Abby's did.

All together now.

We passed by the resort's pool and the kids thought it was hilarious to relax on the lounge chairs in their puffy winter coats.

Can't Catch Me . . .

I'm the gingerbread man!  That's pretty much what December felt like.  Go, go, GO!  I was feeling a little bit bad about all of the holiday activities that I didn't pull off this year  - no sugar cookies! - but, after looking over some of the pictures I realize that we did a fair number of things.  Each year, our family gets a little bit busier and this year, we only had one day off of school before Christmas.  So here's a glimpse of December.  At least the parts that I got pictures of (ahem, not the holiday concert).

 

 Abby was an adorable gingerbread man in her kindergarten class play.  She wasn't even nervous about it!  Oliver and Evelyn got to watch it with me and every time Abby's gingerbread man ran away, Evelyn would shout, "Go Abby!  Goooo!"  I love that my kids cheer each other on.

The entire cast.

We can admire the kids' stripey towels here, but mostly this is just to show that Evelyn climbs on everything and she is hardly ever sorry about it.

It finally cooled off a little bit.  Here, Abby is showing that she can wear both her rain jacket and sweatshirt.  It was that cold, lol.

Evelyn visited the nursery school a couple of times so that I could do a little bit of Christmas shopping.  Even at two, she is verbal enough to share a secret.

Oliver received a special award from his school.  So proud of him.

After a long car ride picking Oliver up from an after school class, we decided to do dessert first and hit up our local Baskin Robbins for an unexpected treat.

 

The kids decorated themselves and then we decorated the tree.

We attended a pajama breakfast with Santa . . .

 and family . . .

 and friends!

Nick and I escaped for a much needed date night.

My sweet niece and sister-in-law came for a visit and we trimmed a different kind of tree.

With frosting and M&Ms and Mike & Ike's and sprinkles!

The girls were all in princess dress for the occasion.

Evelyn loved every minute.

Oliver's looked amazing when he was finished!

 And somehow we made it to Christmas Day.  Wishing you all the best in the

New Year!