Grammy's Birthday

We took Grammy to Skamania Lodge for her birthday this year. She had never been, so she was very excited for their Sunday brunch. We decided to get all dressed up and take some Christmas pictures beforehand. The lodge was beautifully decorated. Isaiah was being a stinker for pictures, so we had to bribe him with a candy cane and stickers, but when he decided to cooperate we got some really cute ones. After breakfast they brought out a birthday treat for Grammy and we all sang to her. Grandpa had a flight that day, so they headed to the airport and we took hwy 35 back home thinking we would check out Cooper Spur and maybe go sledding. It rained the whole way and the kids ended up falling asleep, so we didn't do either, but it was a beautiful drive.

Ashley's Ballet Recital

Ashley did a great job at her recital this year. She took another session at the community center and this was a recital they do at the end of the 3 months. She's really doing well following the teacher and practicing at home. We signed her up for a 5-8 yo class that she'll start in January and I think that will help her advance (no distraction from the younger kids) and then we'll look into getting her into a studio if she still wants to continue. We love watching her and hope she does!

After the recital we had Grammy and grandpa over for dinner and decorated cookies. This guy had a good time piling on the frosting and gobbling it all up and soon as we were done.

Christmas Decorations

We started decorating for Christmas right away this year. We were listening to Christmas music a few weeks before Thanksgiving, but we did wait until after Thanksgiving to get the decorations up. I LOVE this time of year. I love the smell of the Christmas tree, I love getting out decorations that have meaning and stories behind them to share with the kids, I love setting up the nativity scene and watching the kids tell the story of Jesus as they play with it, I love driving home each night looking at the houses all lit up, I love the smiles on the kids faces as they open each drawer on the advent calendar bringing them one day closer to Christmas and most of all I love shopping for gifts. We have had a very blessed year and have a lot to celebrate.

Christmas Elves getting their rest

These munchkins found a comfy spot while Papa brought the Christmas tree in

Ashley putting the angel on top of the tree. I remember Dan and I used to take turns doing this. We tired with Isaiah this year but nearly knocked the tree down. Maybe next year will be his year. We got our tree for the 2nd year in a row from the boy scouts and it smells great! We made a sop at Calamity Janes for milk shakes too!

Sing Along with Santa

Isaiah got to have a special date with Grammy! She took him to a sing along with Santa that Broadway Rose put on while Ashley was at her ballet class. He got all dressed up and had a great time! He got a little treat bag at the show and listened to Santa read stories and sing songs with his elves. The kids had the option of sitting on Santa's lap at the end, but by the time they got to the line it was way too long, so they went out to lunch and were back for nap time! I'd say that was a pretty good date!

Cute pic of the two of them before the show.

Thanksgiving

Brian had the weekend of Thanksgiving off, so we went to Pendleton to spend the holiday with his parents. We left on Thursday (smart move because traffic was horrible Wed night) and got there around lunch time. Steph made a delicious Thanksgiving dinner with our favorite smoked turkey and pecan pie! We went around the table saying what we were thankful for and the kids got really into it this year thinking for weeks what they were going to say. They were thankful for family, listing each one by name. Friday morning we got all ready to go have breakfast with Santa only to find an empty parking lot. It was actually scheduled for Saturday morning, which worked out better because Brian had a car to take Brody hunting with (Grams battery was dead that morning), Ashley was in much better spirits on Sat and Gramps could go. The breakfast was really nice, we got a group picture with Santa this year which was kind of fun and the kids got to make an art project and get their face painted. We decorated our gingerbread house Sat night and headed back home Sunday morning so Ashley could go to her friends birthday party. That night we celebrated another Thanksgiving with my parents. Dad cooked a fried turkey for the fist time and it turned out great. We certainly had our share of turkey that weekend!

The kids masterpiece, Isaiah's is the one on the right that collapsed. He kept piling on the candy until we finally had to tell him it was enough!

Up close of our house

back

Steve and Steph's house

Oh, what a weekend of technology will do to a kid!

Surprise Visit

Aunt Becki loves to surprise us and that she did a few weeks ago. They were in town for a conference Dallas had to attend, so she spent a few hours with us while he was gone. Here's everyone at ballet class. Ashley thought it was really special that Aunt Becki was there to watch her.

Isaiah is a 3 Bee now!

Isaiah moved into the 3 Bee class the beginning of November. It was a little earlier than we thought, but they said he was ready and so were we. The Panda room had just gotten a few younger kids and I'm not sure if it was that or something else, but his behavior changed, he was acting up more and taking less naps (maybe because he was getting distracted). Who knows, but he's doing great in the 3 Bee room and loves the time he's in there. He's lucky to have such a helpful big sister through the change, too. I drop them off together in the big room now and she takes his hand and they wave good bye, then she takes him over to where her friends are playing. Now he knows more kids in his class, but in the beginning I'm sure it would have been more difficult without her there.

She's 5!

Ashley Cakes, how did you get to be 5 years old already!? You are such a beautiful person inside and out. We've been teaching you to pray lately and you have taken this very serious, just like most things in your life. The other day Papa was telling you about a patient he had to operate on that was very sick. He couldn't tell you his name, but you prayed for him anyways and he got better. Another morning you woke up telling me you didn't dream that night, you just prayed for those who were sick and so they would get better. You are so sweet and such a good helper at home and school. You love when your teacher gives you tasks to help out in the classroom or when mommy asks you to help out at home, folding laundry, making your bed (this one you actually do without me asking!) or your favorite... washing windows! You take pride in the work you do and like positive feedback. You encourage Isaiah to do good things and lead by example. He looks up to very much! Papa is teaching you to read "Green Eggs and Ham" and your deal with him is that when you can read the whole book you get to paint your nails. You are a very girly girl and have a great sense of style. The ladies at the grocery store comment on your outfits and with a smile on my face I tell them "she dresses herself!" Mama and Papa were blessed with your birth 5 years ago and we continue to admire the little girl you've become.