Christmas Trees & Reindeer

A first for us all: Cutting down our own Christmas tree!

Last Sunday, we headed out to Hutton Settlement, a children's home in northeast Spokane. The kids who live out there planted a Christmas tree farm a few years ago and have been selling trees for the past five years to benefit the Hutton Settlement community. We passed by the pre-cut trees and headed out into the field to pick our own.

 Heading out in search of the perfect (and smallish) tree.

 Mac was on the hunt as well.

 Ta-da!

 

 

We made our way to Stanek's again this year to see the reindeer that come for a visit after Thanksgiving. This year, we met Nick and Baby. Lola loved them. I again, was in awe of them and would love to have a reindeer farm at Peone Prairie, and grow some Christmas trees out there while I'm at it :)

 

We even found some elves busy working on getting some toys ready while we were there.

 

 

 Trimming the tree.

 

 

Our first real tree. We are so happy with it!

Thanksgiving

I woke up early to make pies before anyone else was awake. Turns out I hold myself to an incredibly high standard (Grammy) and need to not be distracted while I'm in pie making mode! When everyone was up and the pies were complete, we headed to Manito park to walk in the Turkey Trot. The kids were snuggled up in the stroller, ready to trot! Nana & Bub joined us too!

 Towards the end, Lola was ready to get out, but didn't care to "trot" herself!

Back home for hot cocoa to warm up!

My pies. Pecan and pumpkin.

Over to Nana & Bub's for some napping, football, and turkey!

Playing with Mama Bear.

Love those blue eyes!

Mac took part in the feasting as well.

 Before pie, we had some piano time.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Busy Day at Home

 Lola and Dan raked leaves together. Lola helped for about three minutes, supervised for about fifteen, and then came inside to warm up!

Recently, when I take a picture of Mac, Lola usually says, "I think I want to be in this picture with him."

 Mac loves his toes and now that he is sitting up, has discovered that he can still enjoy them.

 Heading out to run errands with her daddy,one of her favorite things to do.

 Napping and snuggling.

Dan hung out with the kiddos while I went to get a pedicure. I came home to see these cute faces, all playing together. Love my family.

6 Months

Mac is six months old. I am not quite sure how that happened. Time is moving too quickly and although I continue to tell my kids to stop growing, they don't seem to listen.

It is, however, so much fun to see them doing new things. Mac has been adding to his list of firsts a lot recently and we are all enjoying watching him get excited and be so proud of himself.

Mac is sitting up, rolling over from his back to front, and front onto his back, grabbing things with both hands, eating solids (so far he enjoys squash, pears, carrots, avocado, banana, and prunes, but not apples), smiling, laughing (he is SO ticklish), and he is making sounds like "mamama, dadada, lalala". In this picture, he actually sat himself up from a reclined position. Such a strong little guy!

He has been the sweetest little addition to our family. He is so happy and such a cuddly love bug. Happy six months, Mac Branson!

Height: 26 3/4 inches (55th%)
Weight: 16lbs. 14.5 oz. (48th%)

Reading Buddies

I am just loving the way Mac & Lola are interacting with each other these days. They have the sweetest relationship. Both just light up when they see each other. Lola adores Mac and he is amazed by her. The other day they were reading with each other and I had to stop being productive and snap some pictures.

Lola, being sweet and reading a book to Mac, telling him all about Christmas.

 Christmas? Mac is interested. Lola is more animated.

 Mac wants a turn, Lola isn't sure about that.

 There we go. Mac needs his own book for eating, not reading. They continued to read side by side, both happy.



Back at Home

We arrived back to town after our Seattle visit just in time to see Aunt Shelley! She works for ESPN and was in town to cover the WSU game in Pullman. She brought great books and coloring books for Mac & Lola. LOVE spending time with her, even if it's a quick visit!

Snow? Poor Shelley froze down in Pullman!

 Lola put on her new boots from Grandma Linda and walked through the snow in the back yard.

 Mac loves Lucy too :)

My Three Favorite People.

 

I told Lola the other day that I love three people in the world more than anybody.

"Oh, who are they?" she asked.

"Well, I love daddy, and Mac, and YOU!"

"Oh! I love four people more than anybody." 

"Who are they?"

"Rachy, James, Daddy, & Mac!"

"Wait, Lola, what about me? Do you love me the most?"

"No, but I love you too, I just love those other four people the most."

 

Thanks Lola ;)  I asked her the same question the next day and she told me they were her four favorite people after me, who she loved the most, so I'm going with that version of the story!

 Entertaining Mac.

 Since we've been home, we have a new sturdy step stool in the kitchen and Lola has been loving helping in the kitchen more. She cut the apples for some apple pie...

 ...mixed the dough and put glitter in our new "snow dough"

...and used pie crust cutters on her cheese slices to make little acorn and pumpkin shaped cheese snacks. I love that she wants to be in the kitchen with me!

I could easily have a condo in Seattle and spend a week there every month visiting with good friends, family, and not to mention, there's so much to see and do! We had a packed six days in the big city and had SUCH a great time. Can't wait to go back!

We stayed the first few nights with Katy & Abo. Katy made delicious tacos for dinner on Friday night. Rachael & James joined us and played with some Pinterest toys that I made Lola.

On Saturday morning, Katy and I took the kids around Wallingford, having coffee & treats, reading books in the "Alphabet Soup" bookstore, shopping around, and ending up at a cupcake store. That night, we went down to the pier, walking through Pike Street Market to the Great Wheel and taking a ride.

Lola was nervous at first, but ended up loving it. Such a great thing to do. It was really pretty at night to see the city lights, but I would love to do it again during the day so we can see the ocean and the sea otters.

Girls on one side.

 Katy taught Lola how to make a surprise face.

 Boys on the other side.

 We met up with Rachael and James for dinner and rode the carousel. Another first for Lola. She's been on the one in Spokane, but never has wanted to ride on the horses, just the bench. She went twice! Dinner at Ivars. Delicious Seattle seafood.

Playing her first video game with James.

Watching football with Abo. First of many, I'm sure.

 We spent Sunday morning at the Bennett's house. Lola played with Risa & Tali, and then their friends joined us with their two kids also. Jesse was brewing beer out on the deck so the kids got a lesson in between dressing up, playing with play dough,and having an alphabet picnic.

 Risa is joing in on the tummy time with Brit and Mac. We just made plans to go to Hawaii with the Bennett's in February. Toni and I are looking forward to enjoying margaritas and watching our babies sitting up, crawling, and maybe even walking!

 Sunday night dinner at the Rowlands. I'm thinking we could turn the third floor of their house into our west side condo. It is filled with all of their girls old toys, playhouse, dress up clothes, a ping png table, couch, tv, and yes, that is a swing naging from the ceiling. We all took turns swinging with Mac, Lola, or just ourselves! Delicious Italian dinner, and such great friends.

 Meghan, the Godmama!

 Love them all!

 Monday morning at the Brown's. Cuddling on the couch. Love my sweet babes.

 Mac needs a dog. He LOVES dogs. Penny made him so happy and entertained while we stayed there.

 Monday morning, we were off to the zoo with the Flaherty girls! Lola and Kinslee grabbed hands and led us around all morning!

 Jaguars!

 Just having a snack while the orangatan sleeps above.

 Highlight of the day. Elephants. Thanks Kinslee, Tayslee & Lauralee for a wonderful zoo day!

 

 The last few days, we stayed with Rachael & James. Lola enjoyed reading stories with them at night. We also got to meet up and have dinner with our Ellensburg friends, Zane & Kerry, Nolan & Morgan. I can't believe I didn't think to get pictures, especially of Kerry's perfect baby bump! Another reason to head back to Seattle sooner reather than later!