Oh Christmas Tree

This tree was for Nathan, he found a smaller one for Natalie. I love how a kids brain works... the tree size matches the kid size.

It was pure excitement running amongst the trees... fake tree??? No way!

All done cutting it down. Nathan has a saw just like Daddy (it's the blade cover).

Staying warm in the car while we get the tree on top.

I'm not sure I could love a tree more than one that was decorated by kids. Notice the three balls together on the bottom, then the clump of balls near the middle, their are two giraffes together also (both from Great Grandma Bimmie for the kids first Christmas). I remember when Marissa's daughter, Sam, helped me decorate (she was 3 1/2). All ornaments that were alike went together (firefighter, dogs, angles...). I loved that tree!

A closer look at the shiny balls grouped together on the light strand. I think I counted 16! Normally we don't even use the colored balls. It's priceless.

Family Walk

Trever is always saying that I should bundle the kids up and take them to the park (usually his answer when I mention that the kids are tired - ie cranky, or I'm stir crazy, or we haven't done something in a while... it's kind of his answer to all of lifes questions). As I was giving similar advice to a friend recently, it hit me. I never listen to that advice. So, we changed that. Spur of the moment I decided to bundle Nathan up and go for a walk (Natalie was with my parents having a sleepover). We decided to call Trev at work (the house) and see if he wanted to join us. He jumped on the opportunity (freezing cold working by himself v. time with his wife and son????)

There is a great Nature trail along the lake in Olympia. It starts off with this dock along the water and then travels a paved trail with info markers about the plants. Nathan loved being on the dock. Once we convinced him to leave the dock he loved the path as well. He went from marker to marker ("OH! Another name!!") We jumped in puddles and learned about plants that have gone dormant for the winter. It really doesn't take much. I would say the evening was perfect... except that it really didn't feel complete without Natalie.



His lunch box came in handy. he was able to carry his new trains as well as berries and foliage found along the walk.

Visit with the Spencers

What a fun weekend with friends. The Spencers (Beth, Nathan, Zach and Noah) came down for a weekend visit. We are so blessed by our friendship with them. Nathan actually asked Beth to arrange for a weekend where he could come help with the house. He and Trev have some great commonalities, they enjoy similar activities and are both hard workers. Beth and I enjoy the craziness of running around with four kids, getting them down for naps and remembering to make the meals. Needless to say, a weekend together is quite nice.





Beth was planning to help me learn to use my camera. What were we thinking? It was so cold out, the kids were definitely not going to hang out for a photo shoot. ;)


One of those priceless moments to catch on camera... skirt tucked into the tights, senior picture??

Oh, did I mention all the dogs?

Moments captured

One of those smiles I know I will long to see in a few years... and for the rest of my life. This boy warms my heart. A common question in our house "Mommy, does that make your heart happy" Oh Nathan, everything my babies do makes my heart happy. I am just so happy to have both of them in my life!

Natalie loves to empty this cupboard out and then climb in. She says "door" to have us shut her in. Then she pushes it open with giggles. There is a cupboard in the bathroom that the kids play this game in as well (they both crawl onto their own shelf ... usually naked after a bath). Natalie is so much fun. She keeps us entertained by monkeying around, and she gives loves, kisses and cuddles like no other. She is amazing.

You can just feel the love in this picture

Pure joy

Nathan's trip to Alaska

Nathan just went on a really fun trip with Gagi and Papo. They took a trip to Alaska for four days. Staying in Anchorage with my Uncle Steve and Aunt Carol. Then they took a day trip to North Pole, Alaska to visit Santa's house. What a big boy he is already. My parents had so many fun stories to tell about the trip, many of them highlighting how polite he was (making his parents proud!!). He got home yesterday, and slept for almost 14 hours last night!! We are so thankful that he gets these experiences. In a few years he'll be able to go to Alaska for a fishing trip with Papo and Uncle Steve.


Nathan was really excited to sit in the flight deck.

On the flight from Anchorage to Fairbanks to go see Santa.

Visiting the Raindeer

Not how I would paint my house, but Santa likes to be fun.

Nathan ran up to be on Santa's lap. He was quick to give his list of wishes: "I want two trains, and one for my baby sister"

At the Anchorage Wildlife Conservation Park. They got to see lots of wildlife, even had a bear stand up on his hind legs about 6 feet away.
Nathan did NOT want to be put down the whole time.

The Anchorage airport is filled with fun animals to look at.

Are you kidding????

OMG!!! So many kiddos! Nathan and Anna are missing from this picture, not to mention Abby and Molly's kids.
I'm thinking Trever and I should have another kid... (almost) everyone else has 3!

Jessie, Katie, Marissa, Dena, Jen and me with (almost) all of our kids! CRAZY!

Abby and Cameron's 12th Wedding Anniversary

Cash and Natalie playing together. It looks like they are dancing. It was more like a game of fetch. Cash would roll a thing of tape, Natalie would retrieve it.

What a great celebration of 12 years. Cameron pulled off a wonderful surprise for Abby!

Some of our wonderful husbands!

The ladies, we always have the best time together. I can never have too much time with my wonderful friends!!!!!

Looks like trouble!

Time to get naked... I can't believe Carter is walking. What a darling.

I love Dena and Vinny! What a beautiful couple.

So happy together...

Halloween

Nathan is helping to take care of Natalie while they trick or treat! I love to see them hold hands!!

For the last month we have been talking with Nathan about Halloween. Every time I gave him ideas for a costume he said no. I even bought a dinosaur costume... which we forced him to wear once. I decided I wasn't up for the battle on Halloween so it was back to finding a new idea. When I would say "what do you want to be?" he would answer, "I want to be a Nae Nae" or "I want to be a mommy". Didn't think it would be fun to explain he was dressed as himself. And the thought of my little guy running around trick or treating in my heels, etc wasn't fun either (although I'm sure it would have gotten some laughs). Finally one day as he was helping Natalie leave kids club I mentioned how good he was at keeping her safe and taking care of her. We quickly made the connection that Fire Fighters "take care of people" (it's what we always say Daddy is doing at work). YES!!! He agreed to be a fire fighter! You wouldn't think it would have been so tough :). He was so proud to be a fireman just like his Daddy (trust me I had brought up this option earlier).

It says MIFD on his gear, he's offical!

Gagi and Papo joined us for the trick or treating fun

Relaxing at Auntie Marissa's house.

In the past we have gone to Westwood Baptist. I'm actually thankful that they canceled the open house tonight. Being with our friends and their kids was SO much fun! I loved seeing all the excitement with so many kids.

The kids

Nathan is giving Natalie a horsey ride.

It turned into a bronco ride. :) They were both full of giggles having so much fun!

We're teaching Nathan how to dial the phone. He kept wanting to call Gagi (we were at her house already). He's helping Natalie to talk also. He wouldn't let Gagi off the phone, and he took the phone to each of us so we could say hello to her. He was also telling us what to say when we spoke to her... they definitely learn from watching!

When the kids are getting along it is pure heaven!!! We are so fortunate that most days they "love" each other. Nathan is a very helpful big brother, and Natalie loves him so much. She watches everything he does and tries her best to follow suit. Our hearts overflow with our love for our children. They constantly bring us joy, and entertainment.

A play ground at home!

My dad has been keeping an eye open for a play set for the kids. He just found this one on craigslist... what a deal!! The kids are so excited to have their own play ground. On the right hand side of the picture is the toy firetruck that we will refinish for climbing and playing. So much fun!!!

Daddy braving the tube slide with Natalie.

You're never to old to have fun on a play set!

Nathan is so excited to have his own slide.

Ahh... so sweet!