Pre/Post-Christmas Pics

Here are some various pictures from Christmastime that didn't make their way into any of the other posts.  The most notable of which is the one of Alaster's first visit to Santa Claus.  It was Thanksgiving weekend and we made our way to Disneyland for the soul purpose of seeing Santa Claus.  Alaster slept through the entire event and Xander was very cautious of the big man in the red suit (which we thought might be the case).

We had talked up the whole experience during the entire drive to the park as well as the entire time we were in line.  He watched Santa Claus Is Coming To Town on my iPhone while were in line.  He was all set to meet Santa and tell him that he wanted a keyboard for Christmas.  Then, as you might expect, when it came time to go and meet him face to face he got a little freaked out.  We were thankful that he didn't throw some crazy fit as we saw many other children much older than he was do.  He did say hi to Santa and was able to shake his hand and tell him he wanted the keyboard, he just wouldn't sit on his lap which was perfectly fine with us; we got a great family pic nonetheless.



Alaster's first visit to Santa Claus and Xander's 3rd visit.  Being able to visit Santa Claus
at Disneyland is great because not only do we get to see Santa, but we get to meet his
wife, Mrs. Claus, along with his 8 reindeer; what a treat.

Taking Santa's sleigh out for a test flight.

This may have already been posted, but this was our official 2010 Christmas Picture.  The four
of us in front of the Disneyland Christmas Tree on Main Street.

Lisa snuggling with her precious baby boy.  Having a newborn around the house
at Christmastime is quite possibly the coolest thing ever.

We took a quick trip to the outdoor mall near our home called Victoria Gardens.
As you can see, Xander had a pretty tight grip on his Mommy's hair.

A quick snapshot of everyone scurrying across the street.  Grandma and Grandpa
were able to keep up so long as Xander was being carried by someone; otherwise
he would have left them in the dust.

One last picture of us in front of our 2010 Christmas Tree.  Lisa and Xander
did an excellent job of decorating; it was almost a shame to have to take it down.

I come from a long line of pyromaniac's and have quite a passion for fire and watching
things burn (that's Grandpa getting the fire started for us).  I had the great idea going
green this year and recycling our tree in the old fashioned way.  I figured it would be
much more beneficial to burn the tree down to a small pile of ash rather than fill an
entire garbage can with its branches. 

All I can say is that if you're a tree-hugger, you better be thankful I'm taking such an active role
in protecting our environment and preserving space in our land-fills.

I'm sure Xander will have no problem carrying on the family pyro legacy; he
enjoyed the flames and smoke just a much as my and his Grandpa.

Grandpa putting Alaster to sleep in Alaster's Great-Grandpa's favorite napping chair.

Great-Grandson's, Grandson and Son posing for a picture on Great-Grandpa's
favorite chair that sits proudly in the boys room.

Full of Joy!

There's never a dull moment around our house as you can tell my this impromptu dance preformed by our X-man.  He can always make us smile, no matter how bad our day might have been.

As Lisa Said…"Finally!"

I left off at Christmas Eve, so I guess I better get some pictures posted of Alaster's first Christmas.  Xander did a great job of playing Santa for us and showing baby brother how to properly tear off wrapping paper.  We all had a great day and enjoyed the sunny SoCal Christmas

Xander got a really cool electric keyboard complete with a microphone; he was very excited
that he could hear his own voice coming out of the speakers.

Xander also got a brand new toothbrush from Santa in his stocking.

Daddy & Xander un-packing our stockings.  Santa got everyone
brand new In-N-Out T-Shirts.

Alaster got a Teddy Bear from Santa in his stocking.

Xander helping Dad prepare communion and light the candles around
the Advent Wreath.  He was very happy that we finally got to light
the Christ Candle.

Xander helped Mommy play Santa and pass out everyones gifts.

Grandma and Alaster both closed their eyes in this shot…perfect timing.

Grandpa and Grandma enjoying the morning with Alaster and Xander.

Daddy got to spend some time Alaster too…here he is showing him how to
unwrap a Christmas present.

Alaster got a fancy new ball that does just about everything.

Alaster crashed out in Mommy's arms; he's exhausted from opening all of his
presents on his first Christmas.

Xander with snow in his hair…who says you can't have a white Christmas in SoCal.

Daddy and Xander got some yummy pepperoni and salami for Christmas.

Mommy showing off her new digital picture frame from Daddy.  He always
knows just what to get for her.

Xander is very excited about his RC Motorcycle.

After all the stuff Xander got for Christmas, he's still more interested in
the pile of wrapping paper than anything else.  Typical, right?

Xander enjoying his new Chuggington train loop-d-loop.

Daddy and Xander having some fun wrestling on the floor.

Alaster in his first Christmas-Coma.

Mommy enjoying her best Christmas presents ever.

Christmas Eve at Grandpa Woody's

Alaster with his Aunt Goolia.

Savannah & Melissa snuggling on the sofa

The chef's getting the meal finished up.

What Christmas Eve would be complete without a Wii competition?

The kid's hanging out at the card table.

A sweet family pic.

Sydney showing her little cousin how to color with magical paint brushes.

Alaster getting some lovin' from his cousin Mariah.

Xander playing with his Xmas present.

Sister's giving some special attention to our baby boy.

Christmas Eve Eve

Getting geared up for Christmas, we we're all getting pretty excited for the big day.

Daddy doting on his little boy.

Grandpa reading a story to Xander (or was it the other way around?)

Auntie Kaity and her biggest fan in front of the Christmas Tree.

Alaster and his biggest fan in front of the Christmas Tree

Grandpa being goofy with his grandson's.

Xander thought he had really found Santa's hat.

We Love Christmastime at Disneyland

Christmastime at Disneyland is absolutely awesome; there is nothing like it.  The lights and decorations are something to behold, but nothing stands out like what they do with It's A Small World.  Normally this isn't a ride that we would go one, but at Christmas you just can't go to Disneyland without taking it for a spin.  They put so many lights on it that I'm sure you could see it from space.  Add the wide-eyed gaze of a two year old to it all and you've got an experience that would melt even the Scrooge-iest heart.

The first picture below is of us out in front of It's A Small World just after they had turned the lights on for the night.  Precisely at fifteen minutes after five, all at once, the lights came on and it was quite a treat to see.  What was once dark became what you see behind us and everyone oohed and awed as it happened.  If you ever have the opportunity to see this take place you need to; it was worth the wait.

Our family standing in front of It's A Small World just after they had turned on the Christmas lights.

What an absolutely wonderful picture of Xander and his Mommy in front
of the Disneyland Christmas Tree.  We were blessed that everyone was
kind enough to move off to the side of the street so we could get this shot.

Xander and Mommy riding the Carousel at Disneyland

Xander and Mommy riding the Carrousel at Disneyland.

Daddy, Mommy, Xander and Alaster getting ready to take flight with Peter
Pan at Disneyland.

Auntie Lori and Alaster at Disneyland.

Xander and Daddy enjoying Christmastime It's A Small World at Disneyland.

Alaster and Mommy enjoying Christmastime It's A Small World at Disneyland.

Xander enjoyed the Disneyland Christmas Parade atop Daddy's shoulder's.
It gave him the perfect spot so he could wave to Santa as he passed
by.  Xander was very persistent and kept shouting, "Santa, Santa" until
he actually looked right at him and waved back.

All Smiles

Alaster was in a great mood this morning.  It was as if he woke up with a smile on his face and it stayed there until he fell asleep for his nap a couple hours later.

How cute is our little prince?

Precious!

Xander gave baby brother his teddy bear to cuddle with this morning.  That put a smile on his face too.

Alaster thought was having way too much fun playing with big bothers teddy bear as well as watching Xander dance around the room.