Family Time Christmas 2014

Christmas week was full of family, food and well.. more food of course! With having only 2 of the three levels complete, we crowded 17 of us on the main level for as much chatting and laughing as we could get in. Actually, I did not take a picture of it but the tent trailer was fully set up in the garage for the K's to sleep in. No, serious, fully set up! We put the newlyweds in the cold basement with an air mattress and fake fireplace... ahhh how romantic...and the rest of us were in beds throughout the rest of the house.   It was a great time and memories were made.

 



Time for a sister picture but first this took place....

 And then this...

 Some more family conversations

And silliness...

 and smiles....

then there's the Dramatic look...

and joyfulness...

Of course family game time was a hit. We played some crazy game on the iPhone that you guess the words. Anyhow, it was fun and a little bit crazy too! I'd like to say my team won but we didn't this time. Hey, We're All Winners, right?  So the saying goes. :)

We took a trip to the barn where Becca works for the K nieces and nephew to ride a horse. It was cold, brrrrr.  They did so great! The horse was so much bigger than they were and they walked up without fear taking it all in.

 
 This little pickle was very stoic and not willing to look our way for a picture. She was practicing for her future rides in horse shows, I'm sure of it!

We did do some crashing and resting too. 

So the week ended with New Year's Eve! These beauties got all gussied up for a BIG outing.
The movies of course. Hey, why not get dressed up to see Hunger Games!

I love this last picture. It felt so right looking in from the outside. Our family had left, all was quiet, lights twinkling, and the room still. After a busy week of fun, quiet and still was in order.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Eve 2014

Christmas Eve 2014 ... in Washington state this time. So many changes since this time last year in Colorado and settling in here, celebrating Christmas is all a part of our new adventure. We had family arriving on Christmas day so I decided to make our big dinner on Christmas Eve.

 

Turkey in the roaster, ham in the oven and sweet potato casserole done, green bean casserole done and mashed potatoes on the stove top. Rolls waiting to go in the oven. Almost done! Yumm!!

The Christmas Eve presents were ready to be delivered. Santa dropped these off early. We do love our traditional jammie delivery every year.

Santa's helper chicks sent T and I a special delivery too!  I love, love me some jammies like really love them. I look at new jammies in the store before I look for new clothes. Call me crazy but being cozy comfortable is well... cozy comfortable.

 

 Time to model

 

 

and pose

 

 

 and be silly

 

 

and hug their daddy.

Time for Santa to come!!!

Merry Christmas Eve!!

 

 



160 Acre Search for the Perfect Tree

Winnie the Pooh lived in the Hundred Acre Woods and I am sure he would have approved of this 160 acre farm we explored. Our Christmas trees past have been from Oregon most of the time so moving here to Washington got me super excited about cutting down our own tree. We were told about this little treasure up the road from us about 20 minutes. Now normally we get our tree on December 1st but with Boo's graduation we waited this year. And wouldn't you know it, we were the only ones searching for that perfect tree.  And there were too many Perfects to decide on!

 

 

This here is Elvis the miniature donkey. He was our welcomer to the farm. Is that a word... welcome-er?

So after receiving instructions as to where we would find the four varieties they grew here at Washougal River Road Tree Farm, off we went. Axe in hand and tree carrier in tow. After searching this part of the farm, we found the trees gorgeous but too short for our liking. So we sent the girls back to the farmer to ask where the TALL trees are on this land. Hey, the price is all the same, a whopping 30 bucks. We were searching for THAT tree.

 

 Too Short

 

 

Too Thin

 

 

Too Small

 

Just right! And the selfie proves just how right.

 Honestly all the trees were beautiful. After a while we started laughing cause they all looked so good. How to decide!!! The sun was setting so we finally said, "This one!"

 Oh my, oh my! I love this man and am determined to get a picture every now and then with him. He on the other hand doesn't always like it when I NEED a picture. And he bought me my camera. I had no clue this is what he did until I looked at the pictures today. LOL!!

He still makes me smile.

 

 

 Now to cut the tree. First Lina tried.

 

 

Then Bec, then T took over.

 

 

A little exaggerated but it was not wanting to leave the tree farm.

 

 

Finally we have our tree! What a blast the whole experience was for our family. I think next year I may get two trees. Oh to find TWO perfect trees.

 

Charley thinks it's a mighty great tree too all tucked in the corner.

Oh Christmas tree, OH Christmas tree.

How lovely are thy branches... and fresh.

 

Merry Christmas!

Party Time!

Now that the graduation ceremony is over, it was time to celebrate! We were walking distance from the hotel to many great restaurants and the convention hall. I love parking and walking any time I can. Thankfully Connor and Bec walked down the street to the Cheesecake Factory after the graduation to get our name on the list while we checked out of the hotel.  By the time we sat down, any and all food sounded great. It was scrumptious!! Now it was time to scurry down the highway to Monument, pick up the cake, and celebrate some more!

 

Let them eat cake! It was de-lic-ous!

 Boo had so many great friends come and celebrate her big day and of course it gave us a chance to hug a bunch of necks we hadn't seen since we moved.

 A blessed day of family, friends and joy! What a perfect day for our girl.