The North Pole

For the last three years we have been able to take the boys (well it was just Ethan the first year) on a train ride to the North pole. It's become one of Ethan's favorite Christmas traditions. The first year we went with friends and the last two years Jon's family has taken us. It's become a nice tradition. Ethan actually talked to Santa this year. And he was very impressed with Ethan's list because Ethan had very specific details on what he wanted lol. I know it is a bit late...but it's still worth remembering.

Ethan wanted his picture right up by the train wheels lol. He had to inspect them first though. And we had to hurry because you're not supposed to get that close. Although the train was not on or anything so I don't see why it was such a big deal. But I suppose there are always irresponsible people out there.

I am one lucky girl...

Ethan is so good with Isaac. I love this picture...

Helping brother back...

It was such a nice time. I hope we can do it again next year.

Christmas Recap

I just downloaded all the pics from my camera yesterday. How sad that I had pics all the way from December 2 on there. It was nice to look back at all of the pictures though. Christmas was fabulous as always. How can you complain when you get to celebrate it twice, Christmas Eve with Jon's family...and Christmas day with mine.

Christmas Eve started off good with us four all saying home and eating breakfast together and just relaxing and having fun. We headed over to Jon's family around noon for Christmas Lunch. Then we all open presents and had a good time.

Christmas Day we got up early and went to my parents for Christmas morning. We bring all of our gifts (like Jon's and Mine and what we give the boys) over as well. We had our favorite Christmas dinner. Homemade Mac and Cheese (Grandma Kitty's recipe), Broccoli, Salad, and my homemade rolls. I can't call it an official Grandma Kitty meal because we forgot the chocolate milk lol. And it is not the same without.

This was our first official Lego Christmas. Ethan was so excited to get his first real Lego sets. We got him a leap pad this year which he calls his "I-Pad" just like Mema and Papa have. Isaac got a leap frog train that he likes to rid around in, a lawn mower, books, clothes and a handmade quiet book my mom made for him. It's so darling!  They were of course spoiled.

I am horrible at taking pics at Christmas because I am to busy having fun. But here are a few...

This one makes me laugh. All I wanted was a picture with him lol...

Isaac and his Papa

Making sure papa is behaving...

The boys love Disney characters so IJ got a little Donald and Mickey in the top of his stocking and Ethan got a big Donald holding his stocking. Ethan has a big Pluto already and those are his two favorite characters.

I love this picture lol. It's so crazy with all four kids. But the reason I took this picture is because Isaac was most excited about the puffs he got in his stocking. He carried that thing around all morning.

Sitting in the corner eating his puffs...

A ROCKET LEGO he yelled...

Mowing Grandmas carpet. It's been vacuumed but never mowed before :)

Daddy and Ethan worked on his Lego's most of the day.

O Christmas Tree

We had so much fun getting our tree. Each year as Ethan gets older all of these traditions become so much more fun. I can't remember having so much fun getting tree and decorating it. I am fairly certain Isaac thinks it's cruel punishment to put all sorts of balls hanging on a tree in the house and not let him play with it lol. But he is actually doing better than I thought. A few minutes ago I found him laying under the tree haha.

Thanksgiving Festivities

Thanksgiving was a lot of fun this year. Last year we spent half the day with Jon's family and half the day with my family. This year Jon and I decided we didn't want to drive around going from house to house. It's very hard for Isaac because he takes two naps still so we invited everyone over to our house. It was very nice because I didn't have to bake two sets of everything. Just one! Well except the rolls haha. I make homemade rolls which people have been known to fight over. I was distracted and majorly burned the first set. Luckily I had made them early in the day so I had time to make another batch!

Everyone came over after lunch and we played for a bit then put the kids down for a nap. While the kids napped the girls worked on making ornament wreathes I found on pinterest. It was a lot of fun. You will never guess what the guys did. ;) FOOTBALL. My cousin came for Thanksgiving too. I haven't seen her in 9.5 years since our wedding. It was great to see her, even if it was for only 3.5 hours haha. After dinner we had Gingerbread houses for the kids to make, which was a hit.

I have so much to be thankful for and everyday I thank God for all my blessings.

Fall Fun

We had lots of fun this fall doing the pumpkin patch. We were spoiled and got to do it twice, once with my family and once with Jon's family. It was about 80 degrees when we went with mine and 30 when we went with Jon's haha...only in Idaho right. We also went to daddy's work on Halloween where they have a really fun party just for kids. It's so awesome. People bring candy and the kids can go around to all the desks and get candy. They have games, snacks, crafts for the kids and even a movie playing. It really is a wonderful benefit and it's become our Halloween tradition. We did the traditional pumpkin painting and Ethan even carved a pumpkin with Jon this year. They had a lot of fun doing it so I think we will be adding it to the festivities next year. It was Isaac's first time painting pumpkins...hard to believe he was in my tummy last time we did that. Leah was also with us last year and it wasn't the same without her. We miss you leah.

I failed with the pictures this year, the only one I got of both boys together Ethan has his eyes closed...and I never got one of IJ all by himself. oops. But don't worry...I still have way to many pictures to share, but that's okay because I know you like them. :)

Oregon Coast

I don't think there is a place I love more than the Oregon Coast. Well that isn't really true, but since this is supposed to be August, let's pretend. And then when I get to October...I will tell you where I love just as much as the beach.

We had a family reunion in August, that I co-planned BTW, talk about feeling like an Adult. It's odd to be in charge when your parents are there lol. Oh well...I think everyone had fun. We stayed in a rental house for the first time too. Not to bad actually. It was nice to see my cousins that I don't get to usually see. We all have kids now and it was great to watch them all play. Since we were in Portland already I convinced Jon that we had...and I said HAD...to drive to the beach for a few days. He eventually agreed and we spent 3 days there. Here are some of my favorite pictures...there are just a few :)