Fun at Candy Cane Lane

We went down to El Segundo for our annual visit to Candy Cane Lane. The kids enjoyed looking at the block of houses decorated (some much less than others) while drinking their hot chocolates.

I think Xavier enjoy d his fried pickles at dinner much more though.

Paramount Christmas tree

We love this time of the year in our city. We grabbed Starbucks and took a few minutes to admire the giant tree that is decorated for the holidays.

Our house for the holidays!

Xavier's Christmas creations

Xavier has started to make some crafts at Marla's. He is so proud of each one and he says he has made each one for "his sissy" every time he brings a new one home.

My favorite so far is this Grinch one.

Yo Gabba Gabba - pt 1

We went to see the Gabba gang at the Shrine and the kids had such a good time. Maybe a little too much fun - Xavier was so sad and cried when they performed their goodbye song.

Yo Gabba Gabba - pt 2

Marlie's back!

Our family elf is back for her monthlong holiday stint in the Avila house. The kids were excited to see her!

Ati hugged her and told her a lot has happened since she last saw her - she "started Kindergarten, won an award at school, lost TWO teeth, learned all her words and letters in school, and can read!"

Xavier didn't want to hug her, but he gave her a high five. Hahahahaha

Knocked out!

Xavier was so pooped from Disneyland that he feel asleep drinking his caprisun juice!

Proud of #27!

Here are the kids (minus Rueben) with Oscar for his last high school football game. He did great and we're so proud of him! Way to go #27!

Big Hero 6

Kids wanted to take a pic with this guy before we went into Book of Life. Xavier can't stop shouting "I wanna see that movie!" every time he sees a commercial, billboard, or the massive plastered poster off the 405 freeway. Guess the marketing is really working!

Feliz Dia de los Muertos

Yesterday we saw Book of Life. It was such a cute movie and the kids really enjoyed it.

Here are some pics of the kids in their sugar skull shirts for the holiday. Days like today remind us to remember our loved ones while still celebrating life! Get out there and do something that would make your family proud!

Halloween: Family Costume

We got a lot of great feedback on our family Halloween costume as Run DMC (with an extra group member, seeing that they were a group of 3, but we are a family of 4) at Disneyland's Trick-or-Treat night. We had a lot of fun and the lines were actually really great in comparison to what they normally are like. We were able to get on rides that we probably would have not wanted to brave the line for AND we stood in line for a picture with Mickey & Minnie (despite the kids' wishes!)

It was a fun, memorable Halloween with comfortable costumes and I am proud of how it turned out. Now we have to start planning for next year!

Happy Halloween from the Avila Family

Here are some pics from Halloween morning. Dad and Xavier wore their costumes to work and day care. Atiana could not wear her costume to school. And Mom worked from home.

Xavier wore his third and final costume to Marla's house for their Halloween party. He had more costumes than Lady Gaga this year! Dad won the costume contest at the Gardena Kaiser office!

Pumpkin Carving

Though it was a school night, we waited until the night before Halloween to carve our pumpkins so they would last for Halloween night.

We listened to some good music and made some apple cider floats. Xavier had a little pumpkin while Atiana had a much larger one. We stuck to the traditional jack-o-lantern face, but the kids were happy with the turnout.

Frozen birthday party

Pictures from Tori's Frozen bday party a few weeks ago. Ati had a great time meeting the princesses and getting her face painted; Xavier, on the other hand, wouldn't go near them, or even the cardboard cut out of Olaf!