We were so happy to have family with us for our first Christmas in California. Grammie Jean knit stockings for everyone, to match the ones that my Great Grandma had knit for our family many, many years ago.
Our living room on Christmas Eve... a bit different from our Kiwi Christmases!
On Christmas morning, the kids were so happy with their new paints from their stockings that they did not realize all the presents under the tree were for them.
Here is Uncle Matt reading to Ross on Christmas Day. Matt and Kristin flew out from London, Ontario, and stayed with Matt's brother, who lives about 30 minutes from here.
Ross and Grandpa reading in the sun... Ross would be happy if someone would just sit and read with him all day long.
Matt and Kristin brought some Christmas crackers which came with little whistles that played eight different notes and instructions on how to play carols. Pretty wild for a Hoffmann Christmas!
Ross helping screw together a wooden truck trailer made by Grandpa Mark.
Madeleine loves the horses and wooden fence from Grandpa and Grammie.
She also loves her new doll from Grandma Georgia and Grandpa Don. The doll, whom M has named "Jelly", spends most of her time in a blue carrier case that once belonged to Steve's sister Julie.
Kristin stayed with us for a few days and we all went to Angel Island one day. It is a state park accessible by ferry, and has a little cafe and beautiful views of the mainland.
Looking towards Tiburon, where we caught the ferry to the island.
On the ferry ride back to Tiburon... both kids a bit tired after lots of walking.
On Kristin's last morning with us, we made gingerbread cookies.
Ross is nearly two years old, and really does exercise his right to change moods on a dime. The pictures below show a typical transformation from happy-busy boy to end-of-the-world and life-is-so-unfair boy. I think this particular outburst came after we took away the bowl of icing he was starting to devour.
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