Let the festivities begin!

I have to admit, this is my favorite time of year.  I am a big sucker for Christmas music, decorations, lights, and all the holiday cheer.  I think some of my holiday spirit has rubbed off on Braedon as well and I love it!  Yesterday we went and cut down our Christmas tree and then came home and spent the evening decorating it.  Braedon had a blast and did a great job!  Enjoy the pictures!

Searching for the perfect tree!

We found it!

Time to cut it down.

Good work guys!

Family photo.

Then it was time to decorate!!!  Our favorite part.

The bottom half of the tree is very well decorated.

The star on the top meant it was complete!  My favorite part is watching the excitement in my kids.  It makes all the chaos so worth it

Our house has a roof and windows!

(Ours is the one on the right)

Thanksgiving 2012

This year for Thanksgiving we drove to Kennewick to spend a few days with Derek's family.  Braedon loves going there because he has lots of cousins to play with!  We stayed with Derek's parents and then spent Thanksgiving day at his sister's house.  We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with great food and great company!

Adi and her grandpa P.

The Thanksgiving spread, minus the food.  Didn't my sister in law do a great job at decorating the table?

Unfortunately, I was horrible at taking pictures and the only other ones I took were of the kids playing after dinner.

And I didn't even get all of the kids.

I should be fired.

When it’s raining…

We have been dumped on these last few days.  It has been raining hard, as in outside for 30 seconds and you come in looking like you just got out of the shower.  Or if you are like me, worked out.  So, what to do, what to do when you are stuck in an 1100 square foot apartment with two kids who have way too much energy?  You work your butt off to keep them entertained.  Despite all the rain, we have actually enjoyed our time all cozied up indoors. 

If you can’t work them physically, work them mentally…

Or, since you get a shower every time you step outside, try taking a dry bath…with your clothes on.

They are actually quite fun.

Also, there is nothing like cooking up some comfort food on a cloudy and cold day.

There is nothing like an indoor weights session to warm you up when you are a bit chilly.

Adi’s workout included trying to get the weights off the floor.  Then she called it quits and went back to the comfort food.  Carb lover.

Lastly, you can always break the rules and start the Christmas decorating early.

Look at that teamwork.

Ha!  Yeah right.

I bet I know what Adi is thinking.

She’s probably thinking, “Smile while you can you little brat of a brother.  In a couple more years I am going to pummel your a$$.  Sucka.

Tonight when Derek got home, we got to officially start our Thanksgiving vacation.  Tomorrow we are off to spend a few days with Grandma and Grandpa Peterson plus many cousins and aunts and uncles. 

Watch out world

I have a full blown toddler on my hands these days.

She is walking, babbling, and chalk full of attitude.  I am in trouble.

She can throw a tantrum like no other 14 month old I have seen.  She is tough, but so sweet at the same time.  She loves her brother and has no problems holding her own around him.

This girl is going to keep me on my toes like her brother never did.  Again, I am in trouble.

It's a good thing she is super cute.

Splish Splash

They were taken a bath!

These two love bath time!  Especially Braedon.  He will play in the water until it is freezing cold.  It reminds me of the Dennis the Menace movie where Dennis can't get out of the bath until his fingers are wrinkly. Too bad they don't like the actual bathing process.

Halloween 2012

Happy early Halloween!! We started early last Friday.  Derek's work put on some fun Halloween stuff for the kids including a bounce house, carnival games, and trick or treating.  Braedon had a blast, as usual.  He totally gets Halloween now and knows it involves tons of candy!

Adi still doesn't get it and just wonders why I dressed her up in a goofy outfit. She did enjoy her first mini Snickers bar though, so I think she is beginning to be a fan too.

 
Braedon tried Pop Rocks for the first time and was a little weirded out by the popping in his mouth.

Adi tried the bounce house for the first time and even though she didn't do much bouncing, let alone move an inch, she couldn't stop laughing the whole time!

Here is to the start of the holiday season!!