Kinzel Christmas

Last, but not least, we spent the day after Christmas at Oma's house. We normally go to Oma's on Christmas Eve but one if her sisters was coming in to town so we postponed the party. It was so great to hang out with Betty and listen to Oma and Betty reminisce about life growing up on a farm in Minnesota.

My dad and Brian were teaching Andrew how to play dice. Andrew was more interested in making towers!

More presents! He's an expert now opening these things.

I have to be one of the luckiest grandchildren in the world. I'm 30 years old, you can guess how old that makes my grandma. She is the only senior lady I know who still acts like she is in her 20's. The level or energy and enthusiasm that she has for life never stops. I think the following three pictures explains it best.

Yes, she is climbing through Andrew's new tunnel!

Andrew checking out what Oma is doing. She's almost through...

She made it! Notice that she is smiling the entire time!

The Kinzel Clan with Oma's sister, Betty.

4 Generations
I guess Andrew is a little concerned about this picture!

Wing Christmas

Christmas night was spent with the Wings. We went over to Brian's aunt and uncle, Peg & Ken. Andrew and Trevor had a great time opening more presents. Andrew showed Trevor exactly how to open presents and play with his toys!

Our little nephew!

Great Grandma Wing

Christmas Morning!

Merry Christmas! Santa has come!!

This year was the BEST Christmas morning ever. Andrew totally knew what was going on and was so excited when he walked out of his room in the morning and saw all of the goodies under the tree. He loves his new big boy bed and jumped in it right away.

Andrew really wanted to be tucked into bed so we got his pillow and blanket from his crib and tucked him he. He loved it!

Then he didn't want to get out so we let him open his stocking in bed. Talk about the royal treatment.

Andrew got a new airplane but.....

Mommy got a new car!! I love my car and I'm so excited. Brian did a great job hiding it and surprising me on Christmas morning with the keys.

Bye Bye crib.

Hello big boy bed!

My mom and dad came over later that morning to hang out. Andrew really wanted to help my dad open his new golf club. I just didn't want him running around the house with it.

Chef Brian

I love this little guy!

Christmas Eve

Christmas is almost here! We are getting so excited for Santa to come and bring some goodies. But first, we must remember what Christmas is all about, the birth of Jesus. We went to the Children's Mass at St. Elizabeth's. It was probably a good thing because Andrew had a lot to say during mass! We sat near the children's choir and he loved watching them sing and play their instruments. He even clapped after each song!

After mass, we went over to Tim and Kim's house for their annual Christmas Eve bash. It was great to watch the kids run around and play. It amazes me how fast they are all growing and learning.

Time to go to bed now, we have to be asleep for Santa to come!!

Lauren, Trevor and Andrew

Alex comes to visit!

Alex came out from Idaho for the holidays and stayed with Brian, Andrew and I for a week. We had so much fun while sh was here. We spent the week going to San Francisco, shopping, getting pedicures, watching movies and hanging out. The week went so fast and we were sad to see her go. Andrew keeps going around the house and asking where Alex is!

Stop #1 in San Francisco - getting a sourdough bread snowman

Santa was at the bakery!

Stop #2 - checking out the sea lions and looking at the view from Pier 39

Stop #3 - Rainforest Cafe to get a lighted cup!

Andrew LOVED this place. He was in awe looking at all of the animated animals. I think we'll need to go back again with him.

He wasn't too sure about the gecko.

Alex and Brian were super excited about their picture :)

Andrew didn't want anything to do with pictures when the animals were moving.

Alex really wanted to build a gingerbread house while she was here. We waited until Andrew was asleep so we would have one less "helper"

Before

During

After

Andrew LOVED Alex.

Duste Christmas

The Christmas parties have begun! The Duste family got together on Saturday to celebrate Christmas. For the first time in a couple of years, the entire family was here. Alex came down from Idaho and it was great to have everyone together. Andrew did pretty good realizing that not every present was for him but we're still working on waiting our turn and not opening them all at once!

Gpa, Gma and Andrew

Cheers!

The Entire Duste Crew

Christmas Train

We had such a fun time on Friday! My mom, Andrew, myself, Jen, Jane and Grevin all took the drive up to Willits to go on the Christmas Train! It was a 2 hour drive both ways but totally worth it. Andrew was in heaven, trains and Santa, life couldn't get any better. We boarded the train and went on a 45 minute train ride through the redwoods. Then we ended up at the North Pole where we picked up Santa and he rode on the train back with us. During the train ride, there was a musician that sang songs with us and they handed out hot chocolate and cookies. It was so much fun and we will go again next year!

Yes, we all had matching PJ's on!

It was impossible to get the boys to look at the camera!

Only 1 adult got up to get their picture taken with Santa. Yep, it was my mom!