Oh Christmas Tree

Two families. Still under one roof. One family has an artificial tree each year, one has a real tree. This year, the artificial tree family took an adventure out to a tree farm and found a perfect tree to share. (Nana & Bub- thanks for letting us take over more of your living space with a tree)

We love Hutton Settlement. It's a beautiful home for children out in Spokane Valley, not far from our house on Peone Prairie. It is a place where children can go for an alternative safe & healthy home life. A few years ago, they started a tree farm as a fundraiser, and many of the kids living out there help out by directing people, handing out the saws, and keeping wood on the fire where people can warm up with some hot cocoa. It makes me so happy to find our tree out there.

Santa Sightings

Santa is everywhere this year! We ran into him in Leavenworth, took a cruise to the North Pole and saw him there, and went to sit on his lap downtown. Lola has never had an interest in sitting on his lap, but this year she had something very specific in mind that she wanted from him, and she wanted to be clear of her request. They loved the cruise and hearing Santa call out their names, but I think sitting on his lap and getting some one-on-one time was their favorite. 

Lola is asking Santa for a double stroller for her baby dolls. She spends the majority of her time at home and school playing house, family, school, or doctor with her babies, and she thinks having a double stroller will "really help take all of her babies on walks." 

Mac originally wanted a nerf gun, like the 7 and 10 year old across the street. Dan and I told Mac that since he is only 2 years old, and the other boys are much older, that Santa might think he may be a little too young for a nerf gun this year. His response, "Oh, since I'm too little for a nerf gun, I hope Santa brings me some chocolate. Maybe some hot chocolate too." He has told his family, friends, Santa, and even people who work at Costco that he wants chocolate for Christmas :)

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Leavenworth Christmas Lighting

Off to Leavenworth for Christmas Tree Lighting 2014. We got to watch the Living Nativity twice this year. It was the kids favorite part of the weekend. I love watching them get excited to see the characters, and tell them where Baby Jesus is. Lola and I went on our annual hunt for the perfect Christmas Tree ornament. This year she picked out Clara from the Nutcracker. Mac got to pick out his own ornament for the first time, and he chose a snowboarder. It was fun to spend extra time with Uncle Teal & Uncle Andrew. Teal let Mac and Lola ring the bell after the Lighting ceremony, which the kids loved, and they had a blast sledding and throwing snowballs with Uncle Andrew. We are looking forward to coming back again after Christmas for more fun, food, and snowy adventures. 

Getting in the Spirit

Decemeber began with us moving into Quinn's house for a few weeks to house sit and stay with him while his parents were Mexico. I started babysitting Quinn when he was 6 months old...and now he is 13! I can't believe it. He adores my kids and was SUCH a fun big brother to have around!

 Saturday night bowling together.

 Lola's first Christmas Concert. She was so excited about the music, her outfit, and Quinn coming to watch her! She knew every word and was so enthusiastic singing in front of a pretty packed St. Aloysious Church. It was a lot of fun to see her performing with such confidence!

 Setting their shoes out for St. Nicholas Day

 Quinn read Christmas books to the kids every night before bed. They loved it.

 Oranges, some treats, Christmas pjs & books for the kids from St. Nicholas. 

 Mac was especially fond of the marshmallows.

 Lucky Lucy even got a pair of pjs to match Lola's.

Enjoying our new books from St. Nicholas. This year the kids received The Animals' Santa and The Christmas Baby. 

Wrapping Up November

I have been so busy with the house and getting gifts ready for Christmas, I can not believe how far behind I am on keeping up on my photos! Here's a quick rundown of November!

 Wonder who she belongs to. 

 After schools snuggles and story time with Nana.

 Girls night out. Nana and I took Lola to the Christian Youth Theatre production of Peter Pan. As tradition goes, we got dressed up and went to the Davenport for happy hour before we headed over to the Bing Crosby Theatre. I love these nights, I love that only children put on the performances, and love watching Lola's eyes light up throughout the play. We started taking her when she was not quite three, and she still refers to intermission as "halftime." Love it!

 Lola and her friend, Banks, took a ballet class together through Spokane Parks & Rec for a few weekends. Lola loved it. I'm told she's a natural...definitely a Grandma Arlene gene that got passed down!

 These two... they are so much alike and crack each other up ALL the time.

 Progress! This month the electrical, plumbing, and drywall were completed. So exciting and crazy to see walls!

 The turkeys... ready for the Turkey Trot in Manito Park on Thanksgiving morning. It was the warmest Thanksgiving morning I can ever remember.

 Riding bikes with the ones that got away.

 Having some reading time with Chenese- our latest addition to the family! She has come to Thanksgiving for three years now and even though Rachael is in Spain, she still headed over the mountains to spend the weekend with us. The kids had so much fun with her. We all love our Chenese!

Smiley guy.