My friend Missy flew into Sacramento a week before Christmas to spend time with us and see friends and family in the area. Both Jim and I took the week off - and it was a good time with her and the boys.
We are chilling on the couch - listening to Jim read the real Christmas story of Christ's birth and the night before Christmas. We tried to reinforce with the boys why we are celebrating - but it is hard for them to get past all of the excitement of presents and toys.
We let the boys open one gift - a Sponge Bob "shaving" kit - and then they got to take baths.
Levi wasn't quite as patient or into getting soap on his face to shave - but he is cute!
Jacob had to shave a few times - so much hair when you are 5!
Just being cute -
We celebrated our Christmas on Christmas Eve morning - to allow the boys a whole day to play and relax and enjoy each other. Here is Jacob opening up his stocking stuff. This is the first year he has been curious about Santa - so we had to play it up a bit - with cookies, candy, and milk left out for Santa.
Levi testing his musical skills on his new kazoo
Levi got some new Cars slippers - here he is posing with a good "cheese" pose!
Levi surrounded by his haul
Jacob surrounded by his huge quantity of toys. These were just the gifts from us and Jim's family - the boys both still had much more to look forward to the next day.
Jacob trying out his new scooter. He is still riding it around the house - a good gig til it touches the outside dirt - then it will be an outside toy
Levi riding his new ride on - a twist and turn scooter (or something like that) - that propels itself by turning the wheel back and forth.
Levi's stacking blocks - almost bigger than he is
Jacob looking mean with his new big rapid fire nerf gun
The boys posing with their new aprons - they will all be cooking for Mommy soon - not a bad idea!
Levi "dressing up" with glasses and his brother's stethoscope. What's wrong with that?
Missy and the boys - trying to get them to smile - and a tickle produces this!
Missy and Levi - on Christmas night at bedtime
Missy and Jacob - getting ready to head off to bed
Missy and Levi playing with his new tow truck puzzle
Missy and Jackie - a few days before Christmas
Mom and Dad (or Nana and Poppop) on Christmas Day. We spent the afternoon/evening on Christmas at Uncle Joey's and Aunt Ofelia's house.
Guy had a time of it getting the kids to cooperate for a picture.......well, actually.....I guess it wasn't "the" kids - but rather "our" kids to cooperate.
Here's old grumpy gus....
Jim and Holly - one of our only pictures together this year - hard to get the photographer and videographer in a picture together
Ofelia, Joey and Caleb - great picture!
Unfortunately, the photographer didn't get in many pictures - here is Guy taking a break from corralling children for picture taking and opening presents.
Salma got some beauty aids as gifts - here she is pampering Missy
Doesn't Levi look like a natural with the pink hairdryer...
Another hit this year for both Antonio and Jacob were Nerf guns - they both got a few. Here is Caleb trying to permanently get some bullets suctioned on the windows.
And Jacob - yes - he managed to win the prize on getting a bullet stuck to the highest spot - on some crown molding near the ceiling - high ceilings at that. I am sure my oh so tall bro Joey is loving us today!
We played Lego Rock Band - what a blast! Jim is cheesin it up singing Free Fallin' with Caleb on the drums and Missy strummin it.
Caleb was good to help Jacob out with the guitar (after a previous freak out episode when he thought he wasn't going to get to play).
Jim had some mad-skills on the drums - along with Pros Antonio and Missy.
Last song of the night was a must see. Jacob on vocals for "Ghostbusters." Don't worry - although he didn't know the words - he rocked it! Might need to dry the mic out a bit - but he was singing and "dancing" the whole time. And sometimes he would ask for my help - and then subsequently within a few seconds - tell me to stop and go away.
Priceless moment - Jacob at the end of the song - leaning back and screaming/hollering giving a great finish. Where did he learn that! He was overtaken by the power of the mic - and was loving it for sure!
It was a great Christmas - wonderful time off - good times with family and friends. We leave you with this - a video of Levi and his sweet, innocent voice singing about the birth of our Savior
Pin the Tail on the Donkey - who can get it the closest! Here is Levi giving it a try.
Salma - getting blindfolded - no peeking!
Jacob checking out his spot - slightly on the wrong end of the donkey.....
Then they played "Hot Potato" - or "Hot Pink Teddy Bear" - which is much softer and just as fun!
The lil Princess Salma - looking all cute and grown up!
It was a fun afternoon. The boys always love going to Uncle Joey's house - playing with lots of toys - video games - going outside - and just having a fun place to be and freedom to be a kid. Can't wait til next year! 
