It’s the 4th and I’ve done NOTHING for advent. Eeeek! (Is feeling like a failure daily, a huge part of being a mom, or is that just me?) My friend Carlee told me about the Jesse Tree last year and I REALLY want to try to get it together… but I will have to wait till next year. I still have the Truth is in Tinsel and I’m hoping to do some of that this advent.
The excuse in my head is that my husband’s company Christmas party (which is rad and a super big deal) came quickly so my whole month feels a little off. This year’s theme was Alice in Wonderland and my hubby and I ran with the Mad Hatter theme… (You must check out 2011 2009 2008)
Below are scenes from this year. Be warned. We like to dance… no, we love to dance… no, we were made to dance.
I look forward to dancing with this group of peeps every year. REALLY. If we can only find a place without half naked gogo dancers and where people over 25 aren’t shunned. Or if we could bring our lil’ dance posse with us to every wedding. We would be golden. (There are a few friends missing… who has a wedding on a Friday anyway!?!?)
The next day we had the Family event. I’m not going to say the my husband’s kids company party is better than yours… but I’ll show you pix and let you be the judge… (2009 2011)
We also got to go to a preview of this year’s Christmas at the Zoo this weekend. It was sooooooo fun! Locals, try to go if you can. The animal keepers put special treats in Christmas boxes and it looks like the animals are opening presents. The price is right! (And I’m giving away free tickets below!)
Details:
Date: Saturday, December 8, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Cost: $2 per person (2 and under FREE), Parking $5
Location: OC Zoo (Inside Irvine Regional Park), 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869
Contact: 714-973-6847 www.ocparks.com/oczoo
While we were in the Irvine Park, we met up with Kyla from Funky Polkadot Giraffe for the Christmas Train ride. Our kids are a hoot together!
The Christmas Train has really become a special tradition for our family. It’s refreshing to be outdoors with some cocoa and a cookie instead of bombarded with toys and commercial stuff. (Though the cookie station by Santa needs a better display tray… ask me and I’ll pick something up, on the house.)
The train ride through the park filled with Christmas lights is magical…
And light speed…
Christmas Train
Date: December 7th-9th, 14th-23rd. I think the first train is just after 4ish.
Cost: $10 per person (children under age 2 ride free), Parking $5
Location: Irvine Park Railroad (Inside Irvine Regional Park), 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869
Contact: (714) 973-6835 or (714) 973-3173 Christmas Train site
Don’t cry because you didn’t get to go with us.
Win tickets below! 3 winners.
1st winner: 4 tickets for the train and 16 passes for the OC zoo. (NOT the Christmas Train, the regular train ride at the Irvine Park Railroad. 4 OC Zoo tickets which are good for 4 people each.)
2nd winner: 2 tickets for the train and 8 passes for the OC zoo. (NOT the Christmas Train, the regular train ride at the Irvine Park Railroad. 2 OC Zoo tickets which are good for 4 people each.)
3rd winner: 8 passes for the OC zoo. (2 OC Zoo tickets which are good for 4 people each.)
Good Luck Friends!!
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Stephanie says
Haha you make mommyhood sound like a fancy special event. I guess missing a daily feature is probably a good life lesson…most days in life are great but everyday isn’t going to be all fun and games.
I don’t often regret things but I was super bummed that we didn’t make it at all this year. Attending a wedding you already RSVP’d yes to is the RIGHT thing to do. Wish we could have done both but that’s how it goes…#firstworldproblems. Next year be prepared…the mister & I are going to be tearing up that dance floor with y’all.
Michelle says
My favorite Christmas activity is just hanging with the family…would love to take my kids to the zoo, haven’t been in ages! Looks like you had a fun time, love your pictures!
carlee says
i love the train too…makes me mad though that it is so dern expensive! also – wanted to tell you about the Jesse Tree- not sure if you use the Big Picture Story Bible with your kiddos (it is a pretty rad kids Bible – they use it at our church in the Sunday School classes) but i am tailoring our Jesse Tree to coincide with that Bible, so you basically read through the whole Bible in the month of Dec with your kids (by reading a story a night) – if you do want to do it, let me know and i will send you our daily breakdown.
samantha says
we go to mount shasta every year and do some winter stuff. then we head in to oregon which is about an hour away to do some tax free xmas shopping!
Tessa says
I love making and eating Tamales during Christmas time!
Crystal Anderson says
We love the train! And you know I love your blog…and your lids…and your taste in home decor…pretty much everything. 🙂
Maureen Enoch says
Yes, please!! We LOVE both places and haven’t been yet this year…sigh!’
Hollie says
I love the holidays and we have had so much fun already taking the girls each night to go look at Christmas lights! It’s fun to start holiday traditions!