The Treats List

After having a fun and indulgent Christmas holiday with both sides of the family and numerous friends, the kids were still asking for more, MORE, MORE when we got home. So I came up with the idea of reviewing and writing down all the "treats" or special things that we got to do, see, or eat, in the hopes that we would be more grateful and less likely to continually ask for more.

Yeah, right.

I am actually documenting this now so that when my kids have grown and are complaining to their therapists that their parents were very strict and never let them have or do anything, I can pull them over to the ol' family blog and say, "Um, not so, kiddos!" =)

So don't feel like you have to read through this - unless you are one of those people who thinks I never let my kids have any sugar (or fun.) Then read on, friend. And prepare to stand corrected.

And though the treat of choice in our house involves something that produces a blood sugar spike, I wanted to expand their definition to include special people, events, and gifts.

We are SO blessed. Please, Lord, make us grateful.

PEOPLE - Besides family and their cuddly pets, we had the pleasure of seeing a number of my old college friends as well as catching up with our old housemates.

Becca (Dupuy) Jones, her husband Shane, Ben, Camryn, and Carsyn

Casie (Hogue) Messer and her daughter Tomi

Jodi (Briegel) Meiter and her kids: Jonah, Noah, and Amber Lee

Grannie Stannie, Papa Billy, and Puggy Sue

Uncle Jeff, Ebony, and their dog London

Aunt Barbara Faye and Uncle Tom and their amazing hummingbirds

Aunt Wanda and Uncle Tony

Cousin Tommy, Nikki and their boys, Collin and Brandon

Grandy, Poppa Len, Toby, and Buddy

Uncle Jason, Aunt Heather, and cousin Lily

David, Gina, Elena, Joseph, Kara, and baby Daniel Sunukjian

Dan and Becky Dau, Danny, Sophia, and Matthea

Greg and Michele Stump, Katrina, Natty, and Ellie

Seth and Teresa Carey, Gavin and Daylen

Kari Taylor-Reid, Raime and Roahn

Ian and Esther (Sunukjian) McCurry and their new house!

After all the new kids they met, Leah said, "I feel like I have friends in California!" =)

EVENTS - We did a number of things together as a family, but some of the events listed were only experienced by one or more of us. I'm sure you can figure out who...

Horseback riding

A lunch date with Uncle Jeff and Ebony

Ice skating

McDonalds Play Place

Playing baseball at the park

Painting nails with Grandy

Bike Rides

Multiple playground visits

A movie - at the theatre! Seriously, it was awesome.

Starbucks runs

Walking all the dogs

Shepherds Meal

Dance party

New Years Eve party complete with hats, noise makers and Oreos!

Flying a remote control helicopter

Gavin's birthday party

A visit to the craft store with Grandy

Slumber party with grandparents

Date night for the parents

and LOTS of TV!

FOOD - I feel full just typing this out...

Eegies

Mc Donalds

In-N-Out (3 or 4 times) SO GOOD.

Nicos

Sushi Buffet

Chinese food (twice)

Sharky's

Studio 1 in SB

Indian Buffet

Cupcakes

Frozen yogurt (3 times)

Hot Chocolate (4 times)

Candied, chocolate almonds

Aunt Heather's Creme Brulee and Peanut Butter Chocolate cake

Gluten-free pizza

Lots of juice

Rice pudding

A variety of gluten-free sweets

Ice Cream (at least 3 times)

Apricot crumble

Chocolate truffles

Pie at Aunt Barbara Fayes

Birthday cupcakes

and lots of mints and gum!

STUFF - we have a lot of good gift givers in our family and we are grateful.

Hospitable (and free) places to stay

Plane tickets gifted by Uncle Jeff and grandparents

Extra seats on all the flights, so that Noelle could lay down and nap - THANK YOU, LORD!

A keyboard with microphone from Aunt Barbara Faye

2 baby dolls

Lots of books and puzzles

A Dodgers blanket

Bathrobes from Grannie Stannie and Papa Billy

Money =)

Scarf

Calendars

My Little Ponies

Toy cars

Handmade thank you notes from Grandy

Stationery/art supply set from Ebony

Lots of cute clothes

Bike equipment

Remote control car

Puzzles

A baseball and 2 footballs

Travel binders with new markers and crayons

Slippers

Shoes

Matching mother/daughter aprons made by Aunt Wanda

CUTE Christmas outfits

Party favors

Stuffed Animals

CDs

Hair accessories

Yo-Yos

and donations on our behalf to people around the world who have much less stuff than us from our renter and friend, Barbara and Uncle Jason & Aunt Heather.

After reflecting on our time, Luke and I decided that we want to include more service in our Advent and Christmas celebrations next year. I think because of all the traveling and preparations we lost sight of that a bit. But I will say it again...

We are SO blessed. Please, Lord, make us grateful.