We kicked off the holiday season with a turkey trot here on the ridge, about a week before Thanksgiving. Braedon took off like a banshie and held strong the whole time. Adi...well she's cute and knows how to apply nail polish, lip stick and blush.
My parents and sister came up for Thanksgiving and stayed the week with us. We had so much fun, playing games, visiting, and just screwing around. The day after Thanksgiving they came with us to pick out a Christmas tree. Last year Derek was kind of a Christmas tree Natzi, which left both kids in tears because they didn't get the tree they wanted, so this year we told the kids they could pick out the tree. I'm not going to lie, I was a little nervous when the kids could not decided on a tree that they both liked. However, they came through and both decided on the one.
Just kidding. Here's the winner.
My mom, dad, Derek, and myself were all relieved.
After getting our tree, we had to come home and watch the Huskies play. Derek got us season tickets and it has been so much fun going to the games. We are looking forward to it again next year!
My parents left on Saturday and that night we took the kids to our city's tree lighting ceremony and to see Santa. They were very excited to tell him what they wanted for Christmas. I just love seeing the excitement and joy on their faces. It is the best part of this time of year, if you ask me.
We have also been doing all kinds of fun Christmas things at home. Goofy, our elf, is here and the kids look forward to seeing where he is and what he has gotten in to every morning. We've made cookies for him, decorated gingerbread houses, and made snowflakes. We have also drank lots of hot cocoa, and have listened to copious amounts of Christmas music.
Over Thanksgiving, Derek introduced us to Catan. I had played it maybe once or twice before with him, but it had been a long time. It is one of Derek's favorite games, but you need at least three people to play. Well, we discovered that we have another Catan fanatic and I think Derek is super excited about that. Let me introduce you to our third player, Derek's mini me...
Braedon is obsessed with this game and is always asking to play it. I also have to admit that it is growing on me too. It is so nice that our kids are getting old enough to play fun, adult games with us. Here's to hoping we can retire Candy Land soon:-)
So far, this month we have had quite a bit of snow when compared to the last 4 years or so. We live in such a gorgeous place being surrounded by mountains, and when it snows it just takes the beauty up another notch.
I could look at these mountains forever. The kids on the other hand, don't care as much about the scenery but were so excited when there was enough snow to make a snow man and go sledding.
Or climb trees, whatever. Actually, he was looking for the perfect "arm" for his snow man.
Last Friday we went to Bellevue to listen to our friend Gina play in her flute group at a Nativity exhibit. She is very talented and the kids loved it. There were also 500 kinds of Nativities from all around the world, we were able to walk through an exhibit that showed Jesus's life, and we got to play dress up and make our own Nativity. This was definitely a high light of this Christmas season.
Christmas Break starts in two days! I need to get myself ready, and by ready I mean I need to go stock our wine cabinet. Merry Christmas!
