MeRrY ChRiStMaS!

I've got mail...

I love checking my mail this time of year, anticipating Christmas cards from friends and family. It's fun to see how families have changed during the last year, and I like pictures. Today, I didn't get any Christmas cards...boo, BUT, I got something just as exciting! It was our confirmation and welcome letter from the Stephanie Inn at Cannon Beach. That's right, I have FINALLY felt comfortable leaving my kids overnight and am going on a vacation with my Hunny!!! It only took 6 1/2 years for me to realize that we NEED time away together, just he and I. We haven't been away together, alone for even one night since our Honeymoon, so ya, we're overdue! This year we weren't able to do anything for our anniversary because we were away for a dear friends funeral. Then we had planned to go down to Vegas with some friends for the NCAA tournament, but it didn't pan out. So, I told Shane we needed to do something else instead. I cannot even tell you how excited I am to go to Cannon Beach. It can be raining, windy, cold, sunny, I don't care, I'll take it! I just want to be away, alone with Shane. Some may think it's funny that I picked Cannon Beach. But there are a couple reasons why~First, it is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Second, there is not a lot do to there, it's a place where you are FORCED to relax, and that's exactly what we need. There is one other wee reason, it's still close enough for me to get home quickly if my babes need me! Lastly, this hotel sounds AMAZING! One of my dearest friends has stayed there and filled me in on everything. Thanks again April for helping us out with beach house, hotel, all lodging options! I can't wait to see you down there! I won't drag this on any more, and will definitely post some things about our trip, it won't be until February(Valentine's weekend.) I just wanted to share how excited I am =)
PS~I've included some pictures of our summer vacations down at the Oregon Coast...some are 4 years old, how time flies. Olivia looks like a teeny tiny baby girl in some, and I have a big ole' belly in others(little NJP was tucked away in there.)

The MaGiC & true meaning of Christmas have come to our house!

Olivia is finally understanding the true meaning(birth of Jesus,) and MaGiC and wonder(Santa) during this time of year, Christmas! I really want her to have a balance between both, and so far, I think Shane and I have done a good job at incorporating that. We watched The Polar Express last weekend, and it made me feel like a kid again, remembering back to what it felt like when Santa was "real." I have been so excited to bring the MaGiC and wonder of Christmas in to our home this year. Liv is thrilled with the idea of Santa~it was so cute to help her write a Christmas list to Santa, & watching her eyes twinkle at the thought of what he might bring to her. Nolan has yet to really understand this MaGiCal, special, heavenly time of year. He does find excitement in tearing down Christmas decor, breaking mamas candles, snow globes, and trying to open up presents under the tree. Shane and I are now in agreement that presents will be placed under the tree on Christmas Eve, and no earlier. Nolan would tear in to every one! Today he told me "I don't like Santa, he's gwoss(gross.)" I have no idea where he got it, I did have to crack up because his little voice is so cute. He got to see Santa tonight on our CDA cruise to the the North Pole. Santa kept saying "Ho Ho Ho Ho!" So now that's what Nolan has been talking about and saying all night.

Little NJP helped decorate the gingerbread house with us this year, and loved it. Of course he snuck about 10 pieces of stale/hard as a rock candy into his mouth. We had fun putting it together, and it turned out pretty cute. It has lots of character with its crooked candy, and windows full of icing sliding down the sides. Hope you are all staying cozy, enjoying family, and most of all finding or continuing with the traditions you enjoy most this time of year!

Daddy gets the star for being the most fun today!

I had an appt this morning and when I got back, I came home to a little fort in the middle of the living room. The kids were thrilled, and obviously so was my husband(big kid,) since he came up with the idea! The little "house" has 2 different doors(out of blankets obviously.) Not only did he move all the furniture to the middle of the living room, he even tipped them over(upside down) so that the kids had little cubbies aka sleeping areas inside the fort. Olivia had one side and brought in her phone, slippers, and water. Nolan just brought in his trucks =) On top of the fort were all the pillows and cushions from the sofa's, and turned into the kids roof, were they were pretending to shovel off snow? Of course Nolan is using it as a jumping/climbing castle. Dad gets the star for today =) I'm just boring ole' mom...LOL! The kids love it, and I have a feeling will want this set up all day.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

It was muddy!


Uncle Richie, Ella & Liv taking a ride on big red over to the tree farm.

Let the hunt for the tree that would be calling our name begin!


Uncle Todd, or Clark if you will, using the ole' saw to cut our tree down.
Everyone watching the VERY TALL tree come down.
And there she is, she's a beaut!




My Loves!

We've made it to the cabin for snacks!

And to all our amazement, got a fun group shot of entire clan, yahoo! This might have been take 4 =) But we got it!

This was our 2nd year(and hopefully tradition,) of tagging along with The Wells to a Christmas Tree farm that Mr. Wells =) has been tree hunting since he was a little boy. Another link we have to this tree farm is that our other close friends, The Ruffs, are also familiar with the tree farm, because my friend Laura's husband works with the Owner of the farm. The land Theodore owns is amazingly beautiful, and hands down one of the best chunks of land in Colbert, WA. The kids had a blast and ran around the small, lovely smelling, & muddy forest for almost an hour. What's more exciting is that because both of these families know the owner, he got his cabin ready for us after we cut down our trees. As if just the land wasn't enough to be in ah of, he also has a tiny little cabin next to his house. It is so cute! It's very traditional, and feels so cozy even though your nose is cold because the only heat is a fireplace. We brought snacks/treats and hung out in the cozy cabin for an hour or so. After we were all stuffed on cheese/crackers, apple slices, raspberry & choco/carmel oat bars, and cocoa, we called it a day! Of course the cherry on top would have been if it were snowing, but it was wonderful just the same. I'm loving our silvery green charlie brown tree, and it smells so good!

Some of the things we're thankful for...

When we asked Olivia what she was thankful for~
1. "I'm so thankful for my brother."
2. "My Baby"(obviously her baby doll!)
3. "God"
4. "My Family"

Nolan's turn...He didn't really answer so Liv said~
1. "He's thankful for me"
2. "Daddy & Mama"
3. "God"

Shane~
1. My health
2. My beautiful and healthy kids
3. God
4. My Wife

As for me~
All of the above! It's been an interesting year, and sometimes I get in my funk and don't see all the wonderful things to give thanks for that are right in front of me. I'm THANKFUL, and once again, sometimes have to hit the reboot button on my life and check in with how truly blessed I am...even when I don't see it.

We had a small, and fast Thanksgiving gathering this year. Since we'd already had a get together with my family the weekend before, we didn't get together with them again on Thursday. We went out to Shane's Mom & Rob's place. We had a feast for sure, and so much dessert to choose from. I did miss my little brother Noel so much this year at Thanksgiving =( This is one of the first years that he hasn't made it home during the Fall/Winter. Once again, you'll notice I failed at getting a picture of Shane & I, and even worse, Shane, the kids and I...WHAT A SHOCKER! I seriously need a volunteer to take our family picture, or else we may not have a Christmas Card.

Finally, Olivia had a darling Thanksgiving feast at school last Wednesday. The kindergartner's made the most delicious homemade chicken soup, and pumpkin bread. Both of which I asked her teacher for the recipes. It was delicious!