2012 christmas tree

Since we didn't go to Oregon this year for Thanksgiving, we didn't get to chop down a tree at the farm and bring it home. So this year we went out to good old Larry's Produce and got a huge 9 foot noble for $40! The experience wasn't anything to write about, but you can't beat the price! 

We all had a great time decorating, even baby boy, and especially Addie. It was like opening a present with each new ornament. We had fun talking about all of the ornaments from Kevin and I's first Christmas together to last year's ornament, which was an ultrasound of Liam. 

christmas countdown

This year I'm so excited about our advent calendar! I'm doing things a little differently. One of my homeschooling families gave me the great idea to do Christmas activities for the advent calendar instead of tangible items. It made so much sense to me! Every year, I kept struggling trying to find inexpensive little items that would fit in the tiny boxes on our advent calendar. Then her room and our house was cluttered with cheap little trinkets and the focus was all about "what-do-I-get." (Pretty soon it would be times two with Liam!) 

So this year Addelyn has been finding little messages in the advent calendar of things we get to do together, which is the best part...quality time together! So excited! Here's the list...

December 1st- watch Santa light the city Christmas tree!
December 2nd- decorate your own Christmas tree in your room.
December 3rd- paint your toes red for the Christmas season.
December 4th- pick out a toy and deliver it to the fire station.
December 5th- make a Christmas painting.
December 6th- write a letter to Santa.
December 7th- make Christmas cookies.
December 8th- go see the Nutcracker ballet!
December 9th- take a stroll down Candy Cane Lane.
December 10th- make a Christmas craft.
December 11th- read a new Christmas book
December 12th- make an ornament for the Christmas tree
December 13th- read a new Christmas book
December 14th- paint pottery for a Christmas gift
December 15th- see Santa Claus at Santa's Secret Adventure!
December 16th- make a gingerbread house
December 17th- do some caroling over Facetime
December 18th- make a Christmas craft
December 19th- read a new Christmas book
December 20th- make snowflakes
December 21st- read a new Christmas book
December 22nd- make Christmas cookies
December 23rd- go see Zoo Lights at the Oakland Zoo
December 24th- open two gifts from Mama and Daddy!
December 25th- open Christmas gifts from Santa!

family of four

We finally got around to getting some good professional pictures of the four of us! They came just in time for Christmas cards!!!

 These were the ones that were paid for with our package, but I'm thinking we're going to have to get a few more. If you want to see them, check out this website. You can enter my email address (alissawidmer@yahoo.com) and then my first name.