Christmas is Snohomish

We made a quick detour to the Puget Sound Aquarium before making our way up to grandma and grandpa's house.  Jaxon is fascinated by sharks, sting rays, scorpions and the like, and we weren’t disappointed in the least at all the fun creatures we saw….like this friendly snail for instance!     

Once we made it to Snohomish our first order of business was to meet and fall in love with our new baby niece/cousin Ava.  She’s so sweet.    Then we had a ginger bread house making contest….it’s too bad we were up against the self proclaimed reigning world champ of Ginger bread house decorating(Jarom)…or we might of had a chance!

Next it was time to jump into Grandma’s awesome bath!!  My kids could spend hours playing in this thing!

On Christmas Eve we made sure to make sugar cookies for Santa, got some new pajamas, and of course a quick Nativity.  Jaxon was adamant that he be a Shepherd man.  He’s a sweet kid, and loved the fact that it was really baby Jesus’ birthday that we were celebrating.

sweet little Christmas Ava Unfortunately, Sage fell asleep early on Christmas Eve so she missed out of the festivities.  But she got her pajamas in the morning, and seemed as happy as could be about it.  So it all worked out in the end.

Jake and I sat up after everyone had gone to bed next to the tree and just reveled in the magic of Christmas.  It was wonderful.  I then got to chat with Heather for almost an hour and hear all about her wonderful Christmas.  It couldn’t have been a better Christmas Eve. 

I actually had to be woken up on Christmas morning, which almost never happens, and the morning was full of your classic Christmas fun.  Santa came and brought way too many toys! :)

I LOVE stockings.  They are my favorite part of Christmas morning.

Sage and her fun dress up shoes from Grandma

Lego Castle.  Jaxon and I spent almost 3 hours putting it together.  It’s very cool.

This is what I got on Christmas from Jake, with a little help from Santa!  I LOVE it, and even get to take private lessons I’ll be a pro in no time!  I got the sweater too.  My in-laws know me well enough to get me gift cards.  Those are the best presents!  So I went out the next day and spoiled myself! 

It was a wonderful Christmas, and we made lots of fun memories! 

Yesterday was an awesome snow storm!  We obviously were caught off guard as you can see by Sagie’s choice of outfit for the day.  Don’t worry we had a coat on her, just had to take it off real quick for the picture! :)

 

 

What a wonderful Christmas vacation!  And to top it off, today we found out we’re having another perfect baby girl!  I can’t wait.

   

She did a big yawn during the ultrasound.  It was very, very cute.

Little perfect feet.

Isn’t she sweet? :) 

HAPPY HOLIDAY’S

Cousin fun

On Friday the 18th we stuck with tradition and had our annual cousin Christmas party, complete with pizza and a movie.  I had to include pictures of past years so you can see how our crowd has grown.  This year we were lucky enough to get Mya and McKenzie as well!  Next year it’ll have to be in Boise!

2007 (4 members)

 

2008 (6 members)

 

2009 (8 members)

Zoo Lights

Most days Jake doesn’t get home from school until 6:45pm, with just a half an hour before it’s time to get the kiddos in bed.  But on rare occasions he’ll show up at 3:00 or earlier!  Well, I like to make the most of those days, so on this particular one, we headed out the door to Zoo Lights.  It had been raining all day, but had stopped just minutes before.  So not only was it a pleasant evening weather wise, we were also one of the few people at Zoo lights that night.  It made for a great adventure, and anytime my kids get to run wild is a good time.  Also, I was impressed that they weren’t scared by all the large animals walking around the place.  I wasn’t so sure about that lion, but the kids were more than happy to have their picture taken with it!

Ahhh, don’t eat me!

I love this

We LOVE baby Grant

He’s warm and soft and cuddly and he smells so good.

We just can’t get enough of our new little cousin.

Dance Recital

Sage had her first dance recital today, and to say it was cute would be a HUGE understatement.  The costumes were so fun, so I have to post a picture of all of them.  There were 7 costume changes in all, if you can believe it.

#1

#2 (my personal favorite)

#3 (so pretty when she twirled)

 

#4

 

#5

 

#6 - I didn’t get a picture of this one, but I have video of it, so it’s okay.

#7 (okay, maybe this is my favorite)

What a little princess.  She had a dress rehearsal on Saturday and was really shy, but in her recital today she just twirled and leapt with the best of them.  I love watching my little girl experience and love new things, and dance has been so fun for her to be a part of.  A huge thanks to Miss Heidi for making it possible!

Videos coming soon!

Thanksgiving morning

My kids are just full of Thanksgiving this morning, and so I wrote down their lists as they rattled them off to me.  Very sweet. 

Jaxon is thankful for:

Sun

Live with Jesus again

Jesus and heavenly Father

Christmas is real

presents for Christmas

Cousins

mom and dad

Sage

The baby in mommy’s tummy (surprise?)

House

T.V

Baby Jesus

Everything

 

And Sage is thankful for:

Pajamas

Holly (said 6 times)

Abby

Princess book

Ballerina book

 

And I am thankful for so many many things.  My handsome husband and sweet little children, Heather, for her amazing example to me and for those sweet African children she is helping.  Heidi, for her example, and making these past 3 1/2 years so much fun!  For John and his kindness and willingness to always help out, Michael for making me want to somehow be able to touch people with my voice as he does to me with his, Mark for his humor and respect, my dad for his passion for life and for his love.  I’m so glad I grew up in a family of 6, because I can’t imagine my life without every one of these people in it.  For Rick for putting up with me, for Stacie and her capacity to love and give, for Mikalann for her sweet personality and willingness to put up with my brother, for Mirm and her a perfect example of what a loving wife should be.  I grateful for each and everyone of my friends who have shaped and influenced me throughout my life.  For an apartment that has been perfect for us, for Jake’s upcoming graduation and for moving on.  Oh gosh…..I’ve opened a can of worms here.  I could go on all day.  But most of all, I am grateful for a loving Savior who has made it possible to live with my family again.  Also I am thankful for my mom.  For somehow shaping me in 10 short years into the person that I would become.  For her love that she has for me that has sustained me through so many tough times, and for her presence in my life even still. 

 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Silly night

My kids are hilarious sometimes.  And this was one of those times.  We told Jaxon he could have  a piece of French bread, and this is the piece he choose.  Jake offered him $1000 if he could finish it before bed.  Luckily he wasn’t able to, because we really don’t have $1000 to give to our 5 year old.

Next thing we know, Jaxon is dressing up Sage, and Sage knew just how funny it was, just look at that laughing face.  She’s just a goof ball.

 

  After we had been laughing about Jaxon eating all the bread, Sage needed her chance to try.  Who knew French bread could be so much fun.

Of course Jake wanted in on the action.  I sure do love my crazy family.