Christmas in California

Loooong time no post. Wow. Sorry everyone!
So for Christmas this year we went to California to see Paul's parents. His brother Jonathan got back from his mission a few weeks before, so we got to see him after a couple of years! Last time we were together was at Anson's baby blessing. This vacation was the first time I really got to know him. The first year of Paul and my marriage we were crazy busy with school in Utah, I was pregnant, and we were both figuring things out as newly weds. The first year of marriage is mayhem, in my opinion. Wonderful, but mayhem. So, that is pretty much why I never got to talk to Jonathan much. So, it was really fun to get to know him. We looked at a bunch of his mission pictures, Paul went and played tennis with him for an afternoon, and he helped me go get stocking stuffers on Christmas Eve. Fun.
Anson loved visiting his cousins and grandparents. He is at an age now where he gets the concept of playing WITH other children, not just in the company of other kids. He had a blast with Ethan, Trevor, and Kaitlyn.
During our vacation we also had our 3rd anniversary. Paul and I left the kids with the grandparents and went on a date. We went to Paint a Dream where we spent 2 hours glazing a cookie jar together. Then we went to Red Robin and had dinner. It was lovely to have time as a couple. The next day we went to the Getty Museum with the kids. That was a blast. We looked at drawings and paintings. When we got to the impressionist exhibit I was like a kid in a candy store. Anson had fun having some mommy time, since the baby was asleep in the stroller, and got a kick out of having me talk to him about all the paintings and drawings. I thought he would be bored while we were there, but I was wrong, he was very much enjoying himself. I think the fact that he sees me painting all the time helped him understand what was going on. He's a good kid.
The next day was Janet's birthday (Paul's mom) and so we went to breakfast at Mimi's Cafe (the Mann family restaurant...I don't think I have eaten out anywhere else with them, which I don't mind because it is so good). All 5 of the brothers were there with their families. We took a group photo on the lawn in front of the house when we got back. Then we went to Buena Ventura Beach. It was soooo lovely to go play in the sand with Anson. Adrian laid on a blanket and soaked up the sun. That's my idea of winter weather, I will tell you what. Paul and Anson also went down to the water and put their toes in. Grandma and Grandpa Mann took some wonderful photos.
Now we are back in freezing Ohio. It was so snowy and cold when we got back. The apartment has central heating, which is nice except that it doesn't warm the house up uniformly. Oh well, we are all getting out our slippers and flannel PJs. Welcome back to real winter.