more christmas in oregon!

Since we didn't go to Oregon for Thanksgiving this year, we decided to head up after Christmas. We stayed for about a week and enjoyed seeing lots of family and friends! I'm not sure where to begin...

When we got into town we decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and let the kids open all of their presents! It was crazy in mom's tiny condo and all of those presents!

This was one of Addie's gifts from Uncle Brent, Aunt Leeanne, Marek, and Luke. 

How adorable!? Isn't my sister-in-law creative?! Addie also got another great gift from my cousin's wife, Linsey. It was pillow cases sewn together, then you insert the pillows and it's a little mat. We didn't want to open it while we were there, so that we could keep the pillows squished down to fit it in the car on the way back home. But once we got it home and put it together, Addie loved it!

Reunited with her buddy! This was completely their idea to hold hands. So sweet. 

We were so grateful to have Kyle and Linsey in Oregon this year! Kyle has been deployed, so we haven't seen them for two years! 

Sisters!

Our two brown-eyed girls!

Fun at the park with Grammy!

A little fun with Auntie Pam and Grammy at Los Dos Amigos!

Auntie Pam, Kyle, and his mama, Auntie Jan.

Mom and I snuck out for some time at a wine bar and then for pedicures (and more wine!) So much fun! 

Grandpa with Liam!

Photo session with T and Rachelle!

There is four generations in this picture! 

Our friend Mel was getting some snugglin' time in with Liam. 

We also got to see our friends, the Leahy's! Eliana and Addie rode the carousel that all us parents rode on many times as kids. Kind of neat to think about. 

christmas day

Oh the memories...

Merry Christmas Everyone!

christmas eve

Kevin and I have decided that we might not make it up to Oregon every year for Christmas, but no matter what our traveling plans are, we want to establish our own traditions here, in our home. So...we did just that starting Christmas Eve!

We dressed the kids up and headed to a nice church service, the Hulbert's invited us to. The kids did really good and enjoyed watching the children's pageant that went along during the service. 

Then we came home and the kids opened two presents each! Pajamas and a new book! We all changed into our pj's, lit the candles and had a nice dinner. What did we eat for dinner you ask? My family's traditional mac-and-cheese, the real stuff topped with bacon! I'll have to post the recipe, consider yourself very lucky! Hee! Hee!

Addie's ornament she made at preschool for us. Sadly, we had to miss her preschool Christmas program because she was sick. 

baby boy's first christmas

As I was putting up decorations this year, I pulled out the fourth stocking holder and the stocking I bought before I even knew I was pregnant with Liam. I got a little emotional just thinking about how much his life and presence was wanted and dreamed of, and that only a year ago there hung three stockings. My heart is full with gratitude for the four stockings that now hang above our fireplace. 

oh the weather outside is frightful...

The weather lately has been quite winter-like, but Addie and I have been busy inside with our advent calendar activities! 

We made snowflakes and hung them up in the windows of the french doors! She loved it!

another year at santa's secret adventure

This is our second year attending Santa's Secret Adventure. We met up with the Hulbert's this year and had a great time! Addie was full of smiles and giggles and enjoyed being with her friends at this sweet little celebration of Christmas. Kevin took lots of video and it is so fun to hear the girls' dialogue. Enjoy!

I know it's kind of hard to hear Addie's conversation with Santa, but she told him she wants a lot of bikes, a lot of toys, and a lot of books. She also told Santa Liam wanted a dog, which let into talking about Bentley living with Auntie Pam (I think she threw in an Aunt Jan too, just to cover her bases.) So sad and so sweet. Santa was very fond of their red hair and I have a feeling Santa might of had some red before all of his white.

Liam was fascinated with Santa's beard and we were finally able to get him to look our way so we could get a picture. No tears though!

Pure joy!

Getting ready to ride a horse!

Thanks for the fun night Hulberts!

26

Oh how do I begin to blog about our everyday, cozy life without acknowledging the horrific tragedy that took place? As a teacher and a mother, I felt much emotion about this event. I've replayed scenarios  of how I could've protected my Kindergarten students in my old classroom, I've thought much about the shooting that took place my senior year at the neighboring high school and of course I've thought tremendously about how to protect my babies from EVER encountering such a terrifying event. It can be debilitating and I know that I cannot be a mother who lives in fear. I read a quote recently "fear does not stop death...it stops life." 

So with that, I pledge not to live in fear but to be an advocate for solutions, so that these acts of evil do not continue. I pledge to remember those sweet babies who lost their lives and I pledge to make 26 acts of kindness in honor of their lives. 

candy cane lane

There is one of those crazy neighborhoods that go over the top with Christmas lights for all of us to enjoy! It's called Candy Cane Lane. We've done a drive through before, but this year we parked and walked. Addie was thrilled and pointed out every detail! I'm not sure what Liam thought, but he was warm. I do know that.

I had to take a picture of  this house because they had a Bentley-dog in their yard!
We are missing him. 

nutcracker

I got to start one of my favorite Christmas traditions with Addelyn this last Saturday! Every year, my mom and I would go to the Nutcracker ballet and for many years I was in the performance. Oh how I loved ballet as a little girl! 

I'm not sure if Addie will have the same love as I did and that is completely okay. For now, she seemed enchanted by all of the sparkly tutus and tiaras and really be enjoys her ballet classes.

Addie loved the Nutcracker, my parents gave me as a little girl, so I got her one of her own.

barber joe's

Liam got his first official haircut this weekend. We took him to a cute old fashioned barber shop in downtown Vacaville. Kevin has been going to this barber shop for years, but today we made it a family event! We had Cris, Kevin's hair dresser, trim Liam's hair up around his ears and give it a little shape like Daddy's. She didn't even charge us and said Liam was so sweet and easy! 

Love that little round pumpkin head! 

Not quite sure what to think, is he?

He looks like such a big boy! Ahhh! Please slow down!