first snow

We are all getting very excited for Christmas around here! Yesterday we ended up taking all of our ornaments down and cut the tree up for fire wood. We didn't actually NEED fire wood, but the tree was beyond dead. Throughout the day I would hear ornaments falling off the branches because they were drooping to the floor. Luckily for us, my mother in-law bought us a little 3ft fake tree last year when life was too crazy to get a real one. So we pulled that out, set it up on a platform, and redecorated our tree! I think next year we should probably wait until December to cut a tree down.
(we went out thanksgiving weekend this year)

This morning, I got to dig through all of our boxes to find the kids snow gear. Once it was light out, We all bundled up and tromped though our backyard to play in the snow before it all melts. As always, Wyatt loved it, and Ruby focused on trying to make the perfect snow angel. All Shep wanted to do was stomp in the mud puddles that scatter our driveway. It was pretty cute.
I wonder if we will have a white Christmas this year?

decorating time!

This Christmas, we decided to go up to Mt. Pilchuck to cut down our tree. We brought hot cocoa, snacks, and a lot of warm extra clothes. The kids got to play in the snow and mud while we searched for the right tree. We ended up picking one that had split off into two trees midway up the trunk. The next day we put on the Muppet's Christmas album while we decorated the house and tree as a family!
I can't wait to start making more family traditions in our new house!

a little musician in the works

On Christmas Day, Ruby got a wooden harmonica in her stocking and fell in love right away. She played it all day long and even joined in with Grandpa Nick and Jeremy while they were playing a song on the guitar.

holiday bliss

I can't believe we are already in 2012! Merry late Christmas and happy new year everyone! We were very blessed this holiday because we got to be together as a family for over 2 weeks in Seattle. Even though we weren't in our own home, we got to be together and spend some really quality time with all of our families! Thank you to everyone who has been hosting us as we continue to try and find a house in Seattle.

      Our Christmas was so wonderful! It included lots of family hang time, Chamorro food, and a surprise visit from my sister-in law who lives in Palm Springs, CA! We hope to soon start this new year with making the final transition to Seattle and hopefully stay put for a while!

 

 

 

 

 

Day 3: Advent calendar

Our Day told through pictures

Day 2 : advent calendar

We got through half the night with Ruby sleeping in her toddler bed! Yesterday at the grocery store I found a tinker bell night light for her room which helped... I think. Man, what that kid will do for tinkers and princess things.

        Anyway, the rush to the advent calendar was not immediate this morning. After breakfast she finally realized that she hadn't looked in a pocket yet. So we went through our routine of finding the date and today she got pez candy to put in her hello kitty dispenser. I love that simple things like one pack of pez can satisfy a two year old. I am sure I could have gotten away with even a picture of pez...well, maybe not. Candy is pretty desirable at that age.

         

Day 1 : Advent Calendar



world market advent calendar



Last night while Ruby was at grape juice club at the church, Shepherd and I went to Michael's craft store to buy some trinkets and candy for the advent calendar. I rushed home just in time to fit each little gift in the pockets. As I was filling each one my excitement grew in anticipating for the time when Ruby will get to see it. Growing up we got the individual calendars from the grocery store that where filled with chocolate.

The numbers on them were usually scattered like I did on my calendar. Since Ruby hasn't quite learned her number recognition yet I thought of using number flashcards so she has to match the number I give her to one that is on the calendar! What a way to sneak in some learning while she is receiving gifts!! I also am going to read her a bible verse to her each morning before she opens the pocket so by the 25th of December she might have it memorized.

                    

This morning the first words out of Ruby's mouth were, "lets go see what is in my pocket!" I gave her the number one to look for and it took her a little while to find it, but sure enough she did. In the number one pocket was a candy cane and minnie mouse tattoos. We spent the rest of the morning putting those tattoos all over her:) Tune in tomorrow to see what she gets next!

DIY advent part 2

Well, I finished! I made it my goal to take every opportunity today to work on the advent calendar and it payed off. To find the first part of this DIY click here

       The next step in making the calendar is to sew your squares on your canvas. Again, I made 5 rows and 5 columns. Once you have your squares sewn on, you can go ahead and hem your canvas around the perimeter of the calendar. I used red thread to give a little hint of some Christmas color.

Finally I cut out 2 inch squares for the numbers and attached them on the pockets with paper clips.I like the idea of being able to switch where the numbers go each year. This is where you can get pretty creative. There are so many ways to print, paint, or draw the numbers. I love the idea of using mini cloths pins to attach the numbers too.