Christmas in Washington

This year we spent Christmas in Washington in our brand new house.  Our first Christmas just our little family of six.  It was simple, relaxed and casual.  Just like us.

Christmas Eve I made a huge ham and potatoes dinner, and we had lots of sparkling apple cider to the kiddos delight.  That evening they each got to open one present (jammies). They were super excited about their new jammies, which cracked Dave and I up.  It probably helps that this is the first year I've let them open one present early, but their surprise and excitement made it worth the wait.

Christmas morning was filled with opening presents, playing with presents, feasting on cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate, and then enjoying a wonderful Christmas dinner of turkey and all the fix-ins. and yes, we were eating ham and turkey for the next week.

They are on their way..

I know I haven't posted anything in like three weeks..I'm sorry.

I promised myself that once the kiddos were out of school, that I would seriously limit my computer time, so I could spend time with them, and enjoy the holidays..which I so did.

I also got tons accomplished (maybe that had to do with lack of computer time too!!) Painting downstairs, painting furntiure, organizing, and so much more.  I can't wait to share.

I promise to get some pictures posted of Christmas, my latest finished projects, and our latest Washington adventure (yesterday) ..

..just be patient

They are on their way.. (this week I promise!!)

Gingerbread Houses

Last week the kiddos made gingerbread houses.  Instead of one large gingerbread house, like we usually do, I opted for each kiddo to create their own little gingerbread masterpiece.

I love the determination in each of their faces as they were decorating.  Daniel quickly finished his before I could snap any pics of him, but it was a fun activity enjoyed by all.

Thanksgiving in Utah

We travelled to Utah this year for Thanksgiving, to spend time with Dave's parents and siblings. 

We were so lucky to have 18 of the 27 cousins in attendance, and all but one of Dave's brothers (and family) were there.
(We missed you so much Joe & Val!!)

The kiddos spent their days playing with cousins inside (toys, pretend play, and xbox) and outside (on the little jeep, bouncing on the trampoline, or playing at the nearby park).  There was always someone to play with, and something new to do.

For Thanskgiving we had a gigantic delicious feast, and I had so much fun taking pics of the kiddos and cousins digging in.

We headed up north one day to visit Dave's best friend Casey and family, and it was so great seeing and hanging out with them. What a great family they are!!

We finished up our vacation with a drive up to Ephraim canyon so the kiddos could go sledding, and the big boys could take turns taking the 4 wheelers through the mountains covered with snow.

We had such a wonderful week in Utah, and are so grateful for family, and the opportunity to reconnect with everyone.

make two challenge

I am curently in the throws of making Christmas gifts for loved ones and friends this year.  I saw this on one of my favorite blogs, and knew I had to take part, and you should too!!

The idea, is to not only make a handmade gift for someone you love, but to make two of that gift, and donate the second to someone in need.

I'm excited to get the kiddos involved with this.  Making gifts for their teachers or friends, and making a second one to donate. 

I'll share later what we made,

what will you make??

Seattle's Underground Tour

My parents came to visit a few weeks ago, and their only request was to do the Underground Tour in Seattle.  Having only been here for a year now, I hadn't been, and was eager to check it out for myself.  I love Seattle, there is so much history, and I am kind in love with anything old or nostalgic.  This tour was a perfect blend of all three, because it included a history lesson on how Seattle came to be, tours of some amazing old buildings, and visiting the underground part of Seattle that still exists today. 

To read all about the history of Seattle, and the underground tours, you can go here, 

below is an exercept from Bill Speidel's Underground Tour website:

Halloween

This year I'm proud to say we only bought one costume.  Natalie wanted to be a girl pirate, so while my Mom was in town a week ago we went fabric shopping, and got all the essentials for her and Josh's costume.  She sewed Natalie's cute little skirt, and vest, and I added all the pink (did I mention that Natalie loves pink!!)

I was on my own for Josh's angry bird costume, and after thinking about it for a week, I just sat down and sewed it.  I wish I would have put the face a little higher, but he was happy with how it turned out, and he loved how warm and fuzzy the fleece was.

Daniel decided to be the Invisible Man, which was great since he already owned everything but the gauze, and bandages.  After rifling through our first aid box, he was good to go.

Caleb chose to be Optimus Prime, and as ambitious as I might be, I wasn't about to tackle that one, so that one came from the store.

We kicked off Halloween with a carnival at church on Saturday.  The carnival was so cute, and the kiddos had a blast.  They threw rubber chickens for treats and toys, pulled slingshots to knock over cans, tricycle races, fishing for treats, threw darts at balloons, had their faces painted, did a cupcake walk, and snacked on pocorn and hot apple cider.  It was perfect for the little ones, as the lines were short and they just hopped from one activity to the next.  They each came home with a bag filled with candy and treats, and it was a great start to our Halloween festivities.

Monday, after parties at school we headed to Daddy's work for some trick o' treat fun.  We hit his building first, and after four floors of candy just set out on chairs down every hallway their candy bags were heavy and up to the top.  After filling our tummies (of real food, not just candy) we decided to pack up and head home. 

Once home we took Josh, Caleb and Natalie through the neighborhood for trick or treating.  Daniel being a little too cool for us went off with a friend, and came home with a bag of full-size candy bars.  After our bags were full, and hands were cold, we decided to call it a night, and came home to hand out candy, and enjoy our treasures.