WEEK 20!!!!!

THE FIRST SEMESTER IS DONE!
OVER!
Completed!
HAPPY!!

Week 19

LAST WEEK BEFORE FINALS BEGIN!!

This past week was full!! 

Caleb had his first Birthday. 

The school put on a couple potlucks for families to attend with their student.

I am finishing up Christmas shopping and Christmas cards! 

Getting super excited to see my sister, brother and dad in a couple weeks!!!! EEK SUPER STOKED!! 

and of course

Benn and I are wrapping up our first semester of school!!! 

We had a blast and I am looking forward to next semester.

 If you find cookie crumbs or frosting smudges in or on your Christmas card. This is why. I have two little elves do the sealing of the Christmas Card!

 This past week we took a stroll around the Arboretum here in Yakima. The path was lit with many paper lanterns and it was pretty. There was a slight chill in the air and with hot chocolate and music at the end it was wonderful!

 Sunday we made a Ginger bread house together. The boys had fun putting on the candy and smearing frosting all over.

Happy 1st Birthday Caleb

Yawning. . .

I gave him a fork and he finally dug in

 I love the first birthday and the messy face!!

Grams and Pops singing Happy Birthday to Caleb

Caleb had a wonderful first birthday, I think. :) We went to Dave's school for a Lunch Potluck and then a Dinner potluck and then we had a few friends over to eat Cake!! Caleb enjoyed his cake and opening his presents. We skyped with Grams and Pops and then Grandma and he crashed that night from a major sugar high :) Thank you to everyone who came over and help celebrate his big milestone!

week 18 and almost Christmas

WOW! 1 Week left of school for Dave and then it is 2 weeks of Christmas Vacation!!  This last week was full of CHRISTMAS stuff. The kiddos and I are are working hard making all of our Christmas gifts this year. They really enjoy all of the fun projects! Look out Grandparents these kids are going crafty nuts!! :)

 We had a fun time last weekend (The first weekend in Dec) We enjoyed a wonderful Yakima Electric parade and hot chocolate!

He was a little scared and unsure

 One big difference from last years Christmas celebration in Anchorage. . .was the warmth. While it was still a little chilly, notice the lack of all out SNOW GEAR! We are enjoying the slight increase in temperature! :) But still miss the snow.

 They go all out here! There were many trucks and they were WELL lite up!!

MMM Hot COCO

 We enjoyed a wonderful parade and then it happened the BIG lighting of the Christmas tree!!!

Yep, that is it folks. . .

Only 1/4 of the lights turned on. . .there was a big groan through out the crowd and a mass exit. Bummer, but the parade was still wonderful!

As I enter this season I have made it a big deal to say Merry Christmas to anyone and everyone!!  I respect others and their Holiday traditions and I hope they can respect me. I have become use to hearing "happy holidays" and I respond with my typical Merry Christmas, because this is what I celebrate. But the other day, I mailed a package and when the postman said MERRY CHRISTMAS as I left the building,  I was caught off guard. I back up and said Thank You, Thank you for saying Merry Christmas.

Here is the deal people. . . say what is in your heart. If you want to say Happy Hanukkah to me, then say it!! If you want to say Happy Holidays to me then SAY IT! I will not be offended by what you say! But to hear people say Happy Holidays because their boss told them they have to. . . well.  . . I wish that there was still a freedom. There is not.
ON THAT NOTE!

Merry Christmas!

CHRISTMAS TREE!!!

 After many years of wanting to cut down our Christmas tree, we finally had a great opportunity! Some friends of ours from church took us out to Little Naches about 40 mins west of Yakima and we had a blast finding and then cutting down our tree.

 The place we chose had perfect sledding so while we hunted the boys played in the snow to their hearts content!

 Even Caleb had a great time, he snuggled up with me and we trudged through the snow looking for a tree.

 The friends we went with have this down to a science. They started a fire and brought out hot chocolate and snacks. It was the perfect day!

OUR TREE!!!!!

We found the perfect tree, a Ponderosa Pine!! It is BEAUTIFUL!!!

Caleb took a couple days to warm up to the tree. As you can see, we are trying to get a group shot and he is not happy about being that close to the tree. For a couple days he avoided it like the plague and I was happy to not have to keep him out of the tree. However, today he ventured toward the tree and touch his first ornament. Big step for Baby, a long road for mommy :)