Visit with Santa Claus

We took the girls to see Santa on December 23rd. We've been going to the same Santa since Payton was born and we plan on going back to him for awhile longer. It's a professional photographer who sets up "Santa's toyshop". The Santa is really good and definitely believable. Last year Payton wouldn't get near him and in her picture she is leaning as far away from him as she can, while still being in his arms. This year it was pretty much the same thing.

As you can see, Gracie is happy to be held by the jolly ol' man, but Payton can't get away from him fast enough! Thankfully Santa doesn't hold it against Payton and still brings a gift or five for her on Christmas morning. ;)

Snow, snow, and more snow!

It's been snowing everyday now for I can't even remember how long! The night of Friday the 12th I think was our first night of snow! I unfortunately forgot my camera over at my friend Hilary's house (see posting "hmm hmm yummy"), so I was sans camera for about a week until Hudson's (Hilary's son's) birthday party (see posting "Hudson's second birthday party").

Here's days 12 of snow at our house! Lola is in the far left corner running up the stairs. She's the black blob. I'm not sure how much snow we have now, a

Luke loves to lay in the snow. The dogs are in heaven with all of the white fluffiness and love it when Ryan throws snowballs towards them. They try to run and catch them. I love the snow as well, however it has put a major damper on getting things done for Christmas. Due to the icy roads and not being able to get down our road for a day or two, it made the UPS man not come for a total of four days due to it being the weekend as well. Now that Christmas is here, bring on the snow!

Yes, I let them in right after I took this picture.

I unfortunately don't have any pictures of Payton playing outside in the first snow of the season. I'll be sure to take some now that I have my camera and it's supposed to continue to snow for the next day or two!

Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree

We've had our Christmas tree up since the end of November, so I figure it's about time I post about it. Ryan and I used to go out and cut a tree down, or purchase one for the local boy scout troops until a couple of years ago my grandparents purchased a new artificial one. They offered their old one to us, so of course I couldn't resist accepting it! So now every year, I take our tree out of the box and put each individual limb into the tree. It's a process, but it's well worth the work!

Our tree is decorated with ornaments that Ryan and I have collected through the years since we've been together. Every vaction we go on, I make a point to purchase an ornament. It's fun to look back and see an ornament from when we were in Chicago in 2003, or our first Christmas together in 2001 or our new home in 2003, Vegas in 2005 etc. There are also a few from each of our childhoods. There is one that Ryan made in 1983! It'll be fun to explain to Payton that her Daddy was 6 when he made it.Our tree is pretty bare with decorations towards the bottom. Payton likes to rearrange them or add her own decor to the tree. One night I found her sippy cup tucked towards the base of the tree, but at her level to where she could see it. I find Gracie's toys occasionally hanging off the tree as well! It's too funny!

We used to have a glass snowflake atop our tree, but it broke last year. My step mom embroidered this beautiful Angel for us! It's absolutely gorgeous and the picture doesn't do it any justice!! She completes our tree wonderfully!! Thank you Rosie for our Angel!!
Gracie likes to think that the tree and all of its ornaments are her personal mobile. She'll lay under it and look up at the decorations and lights. Thankfully she hasn't pulled any off or down onto her.

I can't believe that Christmas is tomorrow! Our tree is slowly filling up underneath with gifts for the girls from us and gifts for everyone else. I wonder how full it's going to be tomorrow after Santa comes! ;)

Hudson's second birthday party

Wednesday December 17th was Payton's good friend Hudson's second birthday. On Saturday, He invited us to celebrate it with him at the Children's Museum in Everett. This was our second time going to the Children's museum and it was so much fun!! It was only me and Payton who went, and it was nice for the two of us to have some mommy/daughter time! Birthday boy Hudson

Maddie (in polka dot dress), Jordan, Payton, and Paige (back of her head) doing "ring around the rosey"

I had to pull Payton away from the cake so she wouldn't try to blow out the candles.
Hmm.. hmm.. yummy

Jordan and Payton playing on the fire engine

.. Maddie, Jordan and Payton putting their shoes back on..

.. Payton collecting money at the ticket booth..

..at the Pizzaria..

..Climbing the rock wall..

..driving the tractor

There is so much fun stuff to do at the Children's museum. I couldn't even post all of the pictures that I took, there were way too many!! Thank you Hudson for inviting us to your party! Payton and I had a great time and we hope you had a wonderful second birthday!

Hmm Hmm yummy..

Friday the 12th, my good friend Hilary had a bunch of us over for her first annual Cookie/Bar exchange. Oh my goodness, what a great idea! We all had to bring 5 dozen of whatever cookie/bar/muffin that we wanted and in turn, we took home about that many (if you didn't eat any along the way!)
That day, I had Payton help me make snicker doodles and of course I had to take a few pics along the way to show what a good helper she is in the kitchen!

Me and Natalie at Hilary's house.

Natalie is 17 weeks pregnant with her second baby and I'm so incredibly excited! I can't wait to hold this little blessing!!

Stephanie, Kelsie, Nadine, and Molly

Hilary and Charlie (Charlotte)

Charlie was born September 6th and is one of Gracie's good girlfriends! ;)

Round two of Stroller Strides Pregnant Mommas

Teresa (due mid February), Nadine (due early April), Samantha (due early April) and Natalie (due late May)

Here is everyone!

I feel so lucky to have these girls in my life! I truly feel blessed to have such an amazing support group! And my girls have made some wonderful friends as well! Love you girls!!

Playdate at Abbey's

A couple of weeks ago we had a playdate over at my friend, from Stroller Strides, Abbey's house. Abbey and her family are leaving for San Diego for five months on the 26th, so it was great to get together with all of our kids to play. Abbey is such a great friend to me and to my girls and we are truly going to miss her while she is away. Thankfully it's only for five months, and hopefully it will pass quickly!

Levi (5 months), Charlie (3 months), Crew (3 months) and Gracie (turned 6 months that following Saturday)

Of course Kelsie, Hilary, Elesha and I had to get a picture of our little babes together. It's crazy how fast they're growing up and it seems like yesterday that the four of us were having a group photo with our growing bellies.
Gracie and Levi have had this connection since they were born. I'm not sure if it's Gracie wanting to roll over him or hug him, but that day she couldn't keep her hands off of him. Shh.. don't tell Ryan! ;)

It was so wonderful to see all of our friends together and the girls had a wonderful time being able to play with their friends too!

Abbey, have a safe drive on Friday and hurry home! We're going to miss you!!!!

Happy Half Birthday to Gracie!

This past Saturday the 13th was Gracie's half birthday. Our little babe is now 6 months old. She's so active, rolling around everywhere and trying to crawl. She gets cuter everyday and we fall more and more in love with her. We feel so blessed to have her apart of our family.

Gracie loves to suck on these two fingers and occasionally her thumb.
Gracie is a gift and we are so proud to have her in our lives.
Happy Half Birthday Baby Girl!

Brunch with Santa

Every year Mill Creek Country Club has a Christmas brunch with Santa for their members and guests. This past Sunday Ryan, Payton, Gracie and I joined my grandparents and brother Ryan, sister-in-law Rachael, and our two nephews Trent and Kaden for this fun tradition. There was so much food and a lot of fun things for the kids to do.

Of course Santa was there for some great photo opts. Trent and Kaden were so good sitting with Santa and we were hoping once Payton saw her cousins sit with him, she would be more willing.
So we eased her in and started snapping away. Of course I couldn't get picky if there was a smile on her or not.

And then we added Gracie. Gracie was hungry and wanted a taste of Santa's beard. Thankfully Santa was quick and held on tight. The beard was slowly coming unattached.. if you know what I mean. :)

Gracie was not about to let go of the beard and the kids of course thought it was funny. Payton sat there like a good girl though, but didn't want to get too close to the bearded man.

Kaden, Trent, and my brother Ryan

We all sat down and started our feast! There was SO much food and of course it was all you can eat. We arrived very hungry, but after the first plate, we weren't sure if we could even go back for more. AND of course there was a HUGE dessert table too as well as prime rib, ham, waffles, pancakes, fruit, potatoes, sausage, bacon, crepes, muffins, doughnuts, croissants, etc. I can't even list everything that was there. The food was super yummy!

Back of Payton's head, my grandpa Gail, my Grandma Claire, and Kaden

The club had crafts for the kids to do too. They made foam gingerbread houses, bracelets and Penguin thermometers. I was trying to have Payton hold off a little bit so we could go and get a picture of her and Gracie together with Santa, but no such luck.

There was also face painting. The lady did an amazing job! If you can't tell what it is, it's a reindeer.

Here's Trent's thermometer and bracelet.

Trent got a reindeer too!

My wonderful Grandparents! I'm so lucky to have them in my life!!!!!

Bapa and Great Grandma
On our way out, Santa asked if we wanted a family picture, so of course we took him up on the offer. We also attempted to get a picture of the girls with him too. I'm sure Santa felt safer with Gracie being in her car seat!

Here's the family!

Standing: Bapa, Grandma, Ryan holding Payton, and my brother Ryan

Seated: Kaden, Rachael, Trent, Gracie, Santa and me (trying to hide a sippy cup)

Payton and Gracie with Santa

Payton thought Santa was so funny! He kept talking to Gracie and Payton would laugh so hard!

My beautiful little girls

We had a lot of fun at brunch. It's a fun tradition and I'm looking forward to doing it again next year.