Team Berg!

Thanksmas vacation continued...........

 

The morning of our family picture taking adventure we took some time to feed the geese. They were all, of course, highly attracted to Grandpa the bird man.

 

Emmett and James with Grandpa and Grandma after Thanksgiving dinner.

My boys on the trampoline after dinner. It was James' first time and he thought is was a great adventure.

 

Just really way too fun.

 

My sweet Grandma Bev and Cousin Carly.

 

Emmet, James, and Boaz too. Grandpa and Grandma are so popular.

Adam got a Thomas the Train puzzle set from Grandma Bev for Christmas. It has been a favorite since we returned home.

 

Caleb got a very loud musical guitar which he immediately loved. I have loved that it has an off switch that is easy to find.

 

James got a little piano that sings and talks in English and Spanish. He loves it because he can hit it.

 

Caleb loved it too and figured it was community property.

My dad makes excellent breakfasts and Caleb just couldn't resist "helping" grandpa with this one. I don't know how he did it but the breakfast was made one handed.

Caleb playing with pieces of Grandma's new nativity set. Grandpa being kind enough to play too.

 

I know this picture is fuzzy but it was just way to cute not to include.

 

On the way home to Utah. Grandma Pamela gave the boys glow-stick swords for the trip. It bought us thirty minutes of happiness which we were so grateful for. Another visit to California successfully completed. Adam is already asking when we can go back for more.

The rest of our time in California was mostly spent with family and we had several fun parties. The first one was held for the siblings.

 

Adam and Caleb roasting marshmallows during the family cookout. I'm proud to say that no one was injured although the marshmallows were totally inedible by the end.

 

Adam goofing around.

Caleb poking the fire.

 

The boys got to open their presents from Grandpa and Grandpa and their Aunts and Uncles after the cookout. They were way excited.

 

Adam got a big box.

 

Filled with a Mr. Potato Head and other toys.

 

He looks pretty pleased with it.

 

Caleb got balls. Balls, balls, balls, balls.......you get the picture.

 

 The boy loves balls. What are you going to do?

 

And he's pretty darn good with them too.

 

Even the big ones.

 

James spent some of his time at the party trying to attack cousin Emmett. It only took Emmett a little while to learn he could fight back. Some restraining was necessary for both sides. It was all in good fun though.

 

One of the things James got was this cool book.

 

He was quite taken with it.

 

Emmett got a giraffe neck pillow. I'm still not quite sure how he felt about it.

Adam and Uncle Joseph.

 

Eric and I got some fun stuff from Kate.

This is a totally unflattering picture of Lauren and Taylor. Sorry guys. It was the only one I had. Maybe next time.......

Kevin and Kim. Picture perfect as always.

Kate asked for all those Peanut M&Ms so she could fill up her candy machine and use it to bribe the boys for good behavior. Such a good aunt.

Joseph is way too cool for the rest of us; or at least for my picture taking.

A perfect end to a wonderful day.

We spent Thanksgiving in California with my family. We felt so blessed to be there with them and to have our boys associate with family for a few days. We celebrate Christmas and Thanksgiving together when we visit my parents and, in honor of the occasion, my mom has christened the holiday "Thanksmas." We had way too much fun.....

 

On the way down to Cali. I'm not quite sure why these two need sunglasses more than the driver and co-pilot do but it earned us twenty minutes of happiness which was wonderful.

 

Our first full day there Grandpa Todd and Grandma Pamela took us all to the Orange Empire Railway Museum where Thomas the Train was making a guest appearance. I went expecting a hokey, quick jot down the tracks. After all, I had visited the railway museum on several occasions and always found the experience quite dull. Instead, I was presented with a mini amusement park full of various rideable vehicles and all sorts of other fun activities. Who would have known that the small city of Perris was capable of such things?

 

We started our day with a ride on Thomas the Train. I kept hoping that this dude would move so I could get a better picture but he was a no go and so he will be forever immortalized here in my blog.

 

Adam showing me the tracks while he waited patiently in line for our ride on Thomas. He was by far the most excited of our trio.

 

Caleb had the responsibility of holding our tickets. He took it very seriously.

 

James is happy to be anywhere. Such a good boy.

Adam got to sit by Grandpa and Grandma for the train ride. He felt very grown-up.

 

Caleb sat with Grandpa some of the time and with us some of the time. I thought the person in charge of our car was going to say something about Caleb moving back and forth between the benches on a moving vehicle but he never did.

 

Pure happiness. Adam's life was complete.

Such a goof.

 

 James found his own means of entertainment.

 

As did Caleb.

 

This was the Los Angeles Trolley we rode on after Thomas. It was a loud ride but so fun. While en route they taught us lots of stuff about trains, trolleys, and transit that I can't remember now. I guess I wasn't paying very close attention.

Adam and James playing on the Trolley.

 

James enjoying a moment with Grandma.

 

Look at that sweet boy.

 

Caleb still being a goof.

 

This is the Caboose Train. There were only two cars to this train and we rode in the yellow one. The boys spent most of their time in that area up top. James and I stayed safely down on the main floor with Grandma and Grandpa.

 

The three boys in the top of the caboose train.

We ended up at the petting zoo after we rode the trains. It surprised me how scared my boys were of the animals. My family always had different types of animals when I was growing up and I guess it is weird for me that my kids haven't had that same experience. I guess we need a duck or something.

 

Caleb staring at a pig. Not feeding a pig. Just staring at a pig. Weird.......