Saturday, December 31, 2016

Viva Las Vegas!

We headed to Las Vegas right after Christmas to see my cousin Ashley marry her love Keaka, with Lily as the flower girl! (I was the flower girl at my Aunt and Uncle's wedding, so it was nice that Lily could be the flower girl for their daughter. Traditions!) 

Kevin and I managed to sneak away for an afternoon date our first day in town.  We left Lily to hang out with Grandma and Grandpa and tried out Gordon Ramsey's Pub & Grill in Ceasar's Palace.  The burger was delicious, but the sticky toffee pudding was the best thing ever.  I'd go back just for that. 

The wedding was incredibly beautiful.  Honestly, one of the nicest weddings I've ever attended (#kkashgethitched).  My whole family was able to be there and it was wonderful.  Lily did an amazing job and was so cute; honestly, I think she might have stolen the show a little bit (sorry Ashley!).  I'm pretty sure there were more photos of Lily than anyone else (I'm not making this up--I've seen all the photos from the wedding).  Lily shut the party down, too.  She was on the dance floor non-stop from 6 pm, to when the reception ended at midnight.  She outlasted many adults.  It was pretty impressive. 

The next day we toured Las Vegas a little bit before boarding our flight and heading home.  It was a whirlwind trip with lots of memories and good times.  

Peace out, Vegas! 

(The photos loaded out of order and I don't care enough to try and fix them, but they are cute, so enjoy!)

Afternoon date with this cutie!

Wedding prep








The Klima fam



We fancy


Our traditional cousin lineup



The Klima boys

Klima Kids!

Our band photo. Seriously, we're posing like some teeny-bopper
band in the 1950s.  This is what happens when you're having too much
fun late at night and you're all getting older.  Sigh.  


Midnight and the party is over.  








Makeup by Mama (I wanted her to look good in the
wedding photos.  I was a little vain on her behalf...I admit it.
And she did look good, so worth it, I say.)




Monday, December 26, 2016

Christmas

My parents and two of my brothers (Chris and Ben) were able to come to our house for Christmas this year.  It was so nice to have them crowded in with us.  We were squished, but Klimas like to be cozy. Lily LOVED having her uncles around.  It was non-stop attention and so much fun for her (and them).  They indulge her, and I love it.  

Santa made a little stop by the house and brought Lily her much-wanted roller skates and even tucked her in.  I might have caught Santa with my papparazzi-like camera skills. 

I have loved celebrating this season with my family and celebrating the birth of our Savior.  I know that it is through Him that my family is eternal. And that is a priceless gift for me. 


Tea party with the uncles!

Deacon Dave's with the fam!



Uncle Chris is making sure Lily has a library
full of his favorite childhood books.  Go Dog Go
was a particular favorite and Lily has fallen in love
with it, too.  

Well, hello, Santa


Chris and Santa might have had a little disagreement on
gift placement/arrangment. 

Santa's biggest fans


Cuddling with Uncle Ben.

The longed-for roller skates!

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Christmas Shenanigans {2016}

December is crammed full of activities.  We did the annual "Zoo Lights" evening at the Oakland Zoo, decorated the Christmas tree, visited Deacon Dave's, Lily visited with Santa a few times (she's no longer scared of him, and quite happily gave him her list of wants.  At the top? Roller skates.), rode the Train of Lights, and watched a performance of The Nutcracker at the LDS Oakland Temple and checked out the lights on Temple Hill.  And we made and decorated sugar cookies.  Because, tradition!  I truly love this season and the time I get to spend with my little tribe, making our own traditions and memories with our Bean.      

Oakland Zoo Lights





Deacon Dave's



Niles Canyon Train of Lights

Niles Canyon Train of Lights

First time watching The Nutcracker performance!

Sunset from Temple Hill

Oakland LDS Temple


S'mores at Eddie Papa's after the Nutcracker and Temple Lights!

Making sugar cookies with Grandma!

Decorating cookies...the best part!