Christmas

We had planned to head down to Portland several days before Christmas but were delayed a few days because of all the fluffy white that surrounded us. It was so beautiful and we had some fun times sledding with the kids while we waited for our departure. We finally made it down to Portland on Tuesday and enjoyed a wonderful Christmas Eve with Erin's side of the family. The cousins all had a great time together and loved tearing into the gifts!

On Christmas morning we continued further south to Springfield, OR where Phil's sister Carol and family live. We spent a wonderful day with them eating, singing, opening gifts, and game playing. The kids had a great time with their cousins Hannah, Madie, & Zach. Phil enjoyed the annual "RISK" game with several others while I worked on a puzzle with Phil's Mom.

Caitlyn's surprise...the Nutcracker performance!

I had been bummed for several days as it seemed everyone was getting snow but us. Well, we finally got it and got it in abundance! BUT it was on the scheduled day when I had to be in Seattle as I was going to take Caitlyn to the Nutcracker!

Caitlyn had read the book and was asking us everyday if we were going to go. We kept it secret and even told her we had to take our "Christmas" photos so she would not wonder why we were so dressed up. As it snowed and snowed I was still bound and determined to make it.
After the photos I told her I wanted to take her for a drive in the snow...a four year old is still not suspicious at this point!
She kept asking me, "Where are we going Momma?" "For a drive," I would say.
Then she asked why our GPS, global positioning system, knew where we were going if I didn't. Smart girl!
We continued on into Seattle and as we rounded a corner she noticed the HUGE banner on the side of a building, "The Nutcracker!" she exclaimed. "Momma, turn here...we are there!"
It was priceless.

She loved the performance and even asked if she could get up on stage!

The last picture here is after we arrived home and she is holding her keepsake ballerina which she wants to hang up in her room after we take it off the tree so she can "remember our time together." Precious.

Oh, and obviously we made it home safely. Thank you Lord!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Loving the white stuff!!!!
What a glorious display of God's creation. We have been hit with tons of snow and the kids are having a blast!
Phil has taken them sledding several nights and tried to build a snowman but the snow was just too dry.


Yesterday was a baking marathon for me and after nine hours we had four different varieties of Christmas treats to give to our neighbors. Here are the kids being pulled by Poppy with the treats behind them. They were able to deliver a plate of goodies to 14 of our neighbors!

Momma, I want to do my own hair today...

The perfect one all dressed up!

Caitlyn was a big help in decorating the tree this year.

Christmas tree hunt

We spent a wonderful Thanksgiving with Phil's family at his mom's house in Shelton. We stayed the night then the next day headed to the family tree farm to find the "perfect one..."



Grandma Doris and Levi

The curls...are gone!

I was not looking forward to this day but Phil put his foot down and said, "Get that boy a haircut!"
We have had several people in recent weeks say something along the lines of..."Oh your girls are so cute!" "I see you brought both your girls..."
Oh Lord...look at his clothes!!! He is dressed like a boy!

Well, today was appointment day. My girlfriend Comfort also had a boy, Gage, with some flowing locks so we tackled the day together.
Caitlyn loved spending time with her best girlfriend Ava and even got a pretty braid out of the deal! It was so fun and both boys look so grown up and handsome with their new styles!

Check it out for yourself...


Before...

They are growing like weeds...

But so much cuter!



My little kitchen helpers!




Levi's first ride


Phil...in the making!


Our beauty



In the toy box.