The girls are up early to start the day. We call Aunt Terri to tell her Santa has arrived and come down the street to our house. The girls love racing down the stairs to see what Santa left under the tree – my favorite part is watching them.

Elle found the pink car right away and she knew it was for her.

Emmy found a DS game she calls a “game girl” instead of a “game boy”.

Eleri’s car has a white top that snaps on to the base car. However, once it is snapped on, it does not come off. We will wait until we get the car back to Shanghai before completing the assembling of the car. Her car has a horn that plays music. Santa did a bit of research on where to get this car. This car cost $40. When looking for a similar car in Shanghai, it cost over $150. These items are an import from the USA (made in China), therefore, they have a heavy import tax.

Dressed for Christmas Day. We took a few family photos before we begun the family traditions on Christmas Day.

Christmas brunch is at Aunty Nancy’s house. She always has the best food so we all “roll” out with very happy tummies.

After brunch, we go home to rest our tummies before going to Mimi and Papa’s for Christmas dinner. It is a fun tradition spent with family.

Over the hill and through the woods to get a Christmas tree. We arrived in California earlier this year; therefore, we were able to go into the Santa Cruz Mountains to cut down our Christmas tree. Emmy was thrilled she got to ride to the mountains with Jim in his pick-up truck.

Eleri was ready to find a tree. She had her bear she got from Emersyn (from the Nutcracker) and a lunch box – who knows what is inside!

Emersyn was excited to find the right tree as we walked the “tree forest”.

Emmy picked out the family Christmas tree and enjoyed cutting it down with Dad.

After 18 years, the pick-up truck has made its last voyage for trees. It has official “died” with 175, 000 miles and many trips to the lumberyard and dump. We are wondering what we will do without the pick-up to haul “stuff”.