Sleepover!

Clark and Owen at preschool, well, making a train on our train table, and Abby, another friend and her barbie.

Abby is pretty cute!

 Ok, so here's the sleepover photos.
Our poor friend Kathryn was abandoned by her husband as he went to Jordan for 11 days to do some top secret military stuff. She was soley responsible for care of her son, Owen, for ELEVEN whole days. We took pity upon her and took Owen for the night. It was super fun. What did Kathryn do with her night off? She took her dog to the vet because Iris fed him grapes. Not fun for her, sorry Kathryn, at least you got a break from Owen. 

The boys are reading a Thomas book.

They are playing bumper cars.

And a long bath for all 3 kids.

 

with silly faces

and bubble beards

her royal adorableness

oh so cute.

It was fun. The end.

January cooking!

Tom made Tom Ka Gai, a Thai Coconut Lemongrass soup with chicken.  yummmmm

It has been a tasty month for us.

Recently, Tom made the most delicious steaks ever! It was Filet Minon steaks from our Amish dealer (grass-fed, organic, local) wrapped in yummy bacon, deliciously seasoned.  

Clark is a great helper in the kitchen. Here he is measuring Thyme.  We are making Pistachio Encrusted Tilapia

and getting ready to pour it in the food processor (don't worry, I'm careful about the blade!)

and here he's grinding up the pistachios and seasonings.   

And after a long day of helping, we let the kids relax with their favorite snacks. Iris and her milk, Clark and his thumb.

Greenwell Family Photos

 

Since we were all together for the holiday for the first time in a few years, and we had two new babies since our last gathering, we got Greenwell family photos done!

top L to R: James, Dad, Mom, John. Bottom L to R: Monica, Ray, Tom, Andrea

beautiful sisters

Nana and Grandpa with the kids. Clockwise starting with Noon. Will, Ivy, Ruby, Clark, Iris, Ben and Sophia

Everyone!

Just the dudes

Clark has been sucking his thumb and finger lately, this was captured in the rare moment when his finger was out of his mouth!

Our baby Joy, Iris.

Our beautiful, laughing family.

We lined the kids up to take a photo of them all. We told them it was a race!

IT was hard for them to hold still while we got the shots!

On your mark, get set, GO!

Ivy didn't want to leave Iris.

Sophia wasn't sure what was going on.

When Ivy finally realized that Iris couldn't run (or walk!) she took off. Iris indicated, "I'm waiting for someone to come pick me up and run me over there with the big kids!"

Daddy's Girl

Oh, she's so beautiful!

and he's a nut!

and a wonderful big brother.

All the ladies!

what the big kids did while everyone was getting their family photo!

we're a fun group!

our family with Nana

helping Iris walk. This is probably my favorite picture.

Silly kids with Nana and Grandpa!

How to make an awesome holiday...

STEP 1: High 5 on an airplane,

Step 2: Have tons of fun on the airport playground during a layover.

 Step 3: find Cozy Coupe in California. Play in it constantly.

 Step 4: Run around with cousins! Act as crazy and insane as possible (or as your parents allow before asking you to be quiet or calm down).

Step 5: Mimosas!

 Step 6: Open presents with Daddy!

Step 7: Open presents with mommy!

Step 8: Enjoy thyself with thine family.

Step 9: Enjoy thy presents! 

 

Step 10: Find that Cozy Coupe and PLAY!

or a scooter

or a skateboard with no wheels! Whatever, just have fun!

Step 11: Go to the beach. Dig to China.

Step 12: Go to Wild Animal Park and admire animals.

giraffe tongues!

but don't become one yourself,

Grrrrrrr!

 

enjoy your family

give lots of hugs,

and explore

Step 13: Enjoy local parks and visitors centers. Here's Clark at Mission Trail Visitor Center making a leaf drawing!

and adding a hand leaf to the tree!

Step 14 = SEA WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Step 15: Celebrate life, like Iris' First Birthday!

 Step 16: Visit with Friends, like our NFP teachers Dave and Cheryl.

 Step 17: Love your sister

 and your Nana!

 and Nana's dog ALLIE!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Step 18: Enjoy the Cozy Coupe... did I say that already? Make sure no one is in it though... Ben drove around on Iris' lap for a while before Tom rescued her!

 Step 19: If you have a holiday goal, I recommend pursuing it....

and achieving it! 

 Step 20: Smile

 enjoy family and down time,

Cozy Coupe!!!!!!

 and finally.... enjoy life's little

Surprises!!!!!!!!!!

There was more beach and friend visits, and some surfing too! Maybe we'll post photos of those things, or maybe we won't. But it was a great holiday and we had lots of fun with our little nieces and nephews. Clark loved his cousins, and Iris loved nana's dog! We are glad we went, and we are really glad to be back in our time zone in our own beds. We hope you had a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, and a great time in between! Love, the Greenwells!