Christmas 2011

We have had a busy Christmas season.  Tons of family time, tons of driving, and tons of memories.  But nothing topped Christmas morning with these little munchkins.  It was just us four at our house.

This is what it looked like before...

During....

After...

All T asked for this year was a car...Miguel Camino from Cars 2 (pretty easy for Santa)

Once he got him nothing else seemed to mater as much.  But he still opened everything he got. 

T got a load of new Cars and other Cars items like books and puzzles and clothes.

G got a great new kitchen and babies and a stoller, highchair and bed for her babies.  She was in heaven that morning...feeding her baby in the highchair with her new kitchen.

It was a wonderful Christmas.  I can honestly say I thoroughly enjoyed every part.  Watching the kids open their presents, going to church that morning and spending the rest of the day with family.  We felt a lot of love.  It was simple and wonderful.  

Christmas Card Photos

Me trying to get some cute photos of the kids for Christmas Cards.

 

 This was the one I chose. 

Although it was hard from me to choose just one. I thought they were all adorable.  But I am the mom, that is what I am suppose to say.

Merry Christmas!

Mini Mommy

Lately G has been pretty fun to watch.  Her imagination is getting bigger.  She is girl all the way in what and how she chooses to play.  She loves to play with babies and stuffed animals.  She loves to play the "Mommy" she kisses them, wraps them up and puts them to bed.  She even puts them in time out.

She ran up to me the other day saying, "Baby no!" and shaking her little finger.  I couldn't figure out what she was doing, then she showed the time out mat.  Made me laugh and quickly grab the camera.

Then today I found this...

Two sweet little baby Jesus' in time out, one from our Little People nativity set and the other from our advent calendar. So funny!  I had to document this for when she gets older.

It is incredibly fun to watch her grow and to see the world through her little eyes.

Daddy's School

We finally took a family field trip to D's school the other day.  I have been wanting to do it for a while now, and I am so glad we finally did it.  Now the kids can know where he is when I say "Daddy's at school".

UW is a really nice campus.  This is the big "W" at the main entrance of the campus.

T just wanted to run up the stairs and go in the elevator.

 The classrooms were closed (it was Sunday) but this is just right out side his classroom.

 Top ten...it better make this worth all the time and money.

He took us to all the places he visits when he is there...including the vending machines.  They were excited to pick out some candy.  T is practicing raising his hand for when he starts school.  He is so excited to go to school one day.  So he can be just like his Daddy.  When D talks about school T asks if he learns about the letter A.  So funny!  D is one week away from being done with is first quarter, only 8 more to go.  He is managing pretty well so far. I am so proud of him and all the hard work he puts in.  We are all looking forward to a few weeks off.

Finally...

 I have been waiting almost two years to be able to put G in pigtails and I can finally do it.  Her hair is growing slowly but surely.  And it makes me so happy!!  I have always looked forward to doing my little girl's hair and so far there hasn't been much to do with it.  She never lets me put headbands or cute flower clips in her hair, they would come out just a couple of minutes after I put them on.  But this little piggies she can't take out (though she has tried) after a couple of days of wearing them I think she has gotten use to it.  She evens gives a little smile when you tell her how cute they are. I think she is so adorable and these little pigtails just put her cuteness at a whole new level!

Thankful

We had a beautiful Thanksgiving weekend! We had a wonderful feast with D's parents and Uncle Bill.  The kids didn't enjoy the dinner too much but loved dessert.

Whip Cream...yum!

We have so much to be thankful for.  We have a healthy beautiful family, two amazing kids that I get to be home with everyday, D's job that allows me to do that, a lovely home that is close to family and much much more.  I couldn't count all the blessings we've received this year.  I am truly grateful the all the Lord has done for us.  I am looking forward to celebrating the rest of the holidays with these little guys.  Happy Thanksgiving...now bring on Christmas!

Halloween

We attended two Halloween activities, one on Saturday night at my church's trunk or treat.  Dorthy, cousin Hadley, came with us.  The kids had fun.  It was a small carnival too with lots of games and prizes.

 

 On Monday we met up with a pink princess and scary pirate to follow them along for their trunk or treat.  Just love having cousins close by to do fun things with.

Maybe the cutest bumble bee ever!  She was just adorable, she loved getting that candy.  When you hear her say "trick or treat" it is just the sweetest....no wonder she scored some much good candy. 

Lightning McQueen race car driver guy was too cute. He had a good time and made sure he got to everyone he could for candy.  Poor D wasn't able to join us for either festivities he was in Arizona on Saturday and had class on Monday.  So sad, thank goodness for family that filled in both nights!  We had a Happy Halloween...now on to more holiday fun!

Choo Choo

T is really into trains.  Thomas is on regularly at our house.  So when I was notified of this great Groupon deal for a real steam engine train ride I jumped all over it.

The train was pretty amazing to see when it had all the steam coming out of the top and sides, wish I got a picture of it.  T wasn't as excited at I thought (which seems to happen most of time I get more excited about these things than he does).

The train had about 6 passenger cars and we got to choose where to sit.  T was a little scared of the loud whistle and was happy to sit in one of the middle cars.

 

 It was about a 60 minute ride.   Mostly going through farm lands we past some homes and streets too which was fun to wave at the people as we passed by.

 D was not able to join us, he has a group study meeting every Saturday now.  So sad he will be missing stuff like this for a while.  We are trying plan around it as much as we can but it makes it hard when he meets from 10am-2pm, right in the middle of the day. Thanks Mom for tagging along for the ride...it so great to have you around!

G enjoyed it too, despite it being right during her normal nap time. She has picked up on noticing trains now...she says "choo choo" in her cute little voice. 

They do a Polar Express Train in December that we might have to get on.  That is still one of T's favorite movies.

Cha..Cha...Cha...Changes...

Summer is just a hard time to keep up with the blog.  I hate not keeping it updated.  This is like a family journal for us so when I get behind I feel bad. Anyway, we are on to bigger and better things in this household...or should I say...new household.  We have relocated yet again, we just can't seem to feel settled anywhere yet.  We moved up north to Lake Forest Park, just a few miles north of Seattle.  We decided to rent out our little house in Kent and move into something quite bigger.  I am loving the space and the kids are too.  We are close to family up here it is nice.  I love this house and think it will be a good fit for a while.  D starts school next Friday at UW.  So I am glad we made this transition just in time for that 3 year battle to begin.  Single mom here I come...

The summer has been busy.  The kids are doing amazing.  G is just flying around everywhere now.  I knew once she started walking she would be a changed girl...and it has happened.  Everyone is some much happier...especially Mama.  It just makes me smile to watch her...she is just so darn cute.  She is saying all types of words now.  My favorite is "apple juice".  Every drink is apple juice and when she says it you can't help but smile and give her what she wants.

We took another annual trip to the cabin over Labor Day weekend with my family.  All the cousins were there and T was in heaven.  It was a quick over night but T enjoyed every minute.  The weather was beautiful so there was lots of time spent in the water. We got a new camera this summer also.  I love it! I don't know much about it yet, but the pictures are awesome! So much better than my cheap point and shoot Kodiak.  Check out these great pictures from our cabin trip.

 The Best Grandpa ever...taking all the kiddos for a walk down the river.

My adorable little niece striking a pose for the camera...love her!

Biggest wasp nest I have ever seen.

Frogs were out in full force.