December: Part 2

Christmas greetings from the Panos Family! We had fun this fall recording a little Christmas CD for our extended family, and used this photo as our album cover; making a joyful noise unto the Lord with our brass, string, and rackety instruments!

We attended the annual Marine band Christmas party at A's work.

Checking out Daddy's office; very nice!

The usual Marine "voluntold" to dress up as Santa. Each of the kids received a gift!

 Celebrating Jesus' birthday in our cozy home.

Playing for the Christmas Eve services at our church.

Christmas Day with Papou and Yiayia! The guys enjoyed this mini baseball game.

Warm snuggles.

Holding the "Charlie Brown" Christmas tree.

On the 28th, we celebrated L's 33rd birthday! The girls both received these cute mermaid-tail "Snuggie" blankets for their birthdays, made by Aunt M!

Birthday Dinner #1 on the Oceanside Pier (Papa and Gigi were there too!). 

Ambushed by the servers at Ruby's Diner; thanks for the hat and sundae!

 Birthday Dinner #2 with Papou and Yiayia at Olive Garden!

Another fun outing on the pier, this time with our friends from San Diego!

The mommy selfie.

 Looking forward to what God has in store for us in 2016!

Star Wars Birthday Party

Happy 6th birthday to our cute little Jedi! All year long, Z requested a Star Wars party to celebrate her birthday, and we were happy to oblige! Convenient timing since the newest Star Wars movie premiered on her actual birthday, December 18th!

This R2-D2 (actually a balloon!) was quite the ham and tried to get in every photo!

Serious Jedi business taking place.

Darth Vader even made a guest appearance! (It was really Papa in disguise)!

Bouncy Jedi in the jumper set up in the backyard.

Beating up the Darth Vader pinata.

Z's buddies from church.

Make a wish!

Z's neighbor buddies who joined us later.

 

Happy to have Papou and Yiayia join the festivities.

With Gigi and Mommy (out of costume!).

Happy 6th birthday to our spunky girl!

December: Part 1

This month has been busy and full with fun activities! The sunsets in our neighborhood haven't been too bad either!

 Z singing in the kids choir at church!

Christmas shopping at Costco. Do people really buy these guys, and how do you fit them in the car?!

L performed at several Christmas recitals across the county, from libraries in San Diego to her grandfather's retirement community in Orange County.

Christmas concerts with a church orchestra in El Cajon.

 Perk of early morning commutes in San Diego: beautiful sunrise!

 We also enjoyed a fun trip to Knott's Berry Farm, courtesy of the park's military tribute!

 Snuggles with Snoopy.

Our local family celebrated Grandfather Meadows' 92nd birthday!

Z and her cousins.

Beautiful night in Dana Point Harbor.

Fun lights!

Annual tradition of a Christmas Tea Party with Gigi.

Baking the family recipe.

Decorating cookies.

Visiting Z at her school to see her class sing Christmas songs for the parents. She got to wear a crown since it was also her birthday!

Then Santa showed up in a military vehicle, of course!

Lollipops with her buddy Annabella.

Z attended a fun winter event with her friends/neighbors at their church. Loving the bunny in the petting zoo!

Camel rides.

Not a fan of lama smells!

                                                         Up next, Z's birthday party!